The Washington times., 1914-03-13
HALF LF-AND-HALF TAX
SYSTEM DEFENDED
ormer Commissioner West De-
bates With Congressman
Prouty on Public Library.

Convincing data showing the wisdom
nd Justice of the half-an6-half plan,
nd the faIlacy of any legislation threat
ing its destruction. was furnished by
rnler Commissioner VI. l.. West IN Cp-
0sition 70 the striking arguments ad
=nced by Congressman s. F. PTouty If
IVA III the Public Library last night.
'he debate on Should Congress Abolish
Ie Half-and- Half Tax" given under
ne auspices of the Study Club in Eco
nor1icS, attracted an audience Of 500 citi
-ens, who made free use of the priv
oge to ask questions at the close Of the
l.baTc.
The truth OF Congressman IroutyS
lain that the District should have self
-,.vernment was admitted by Mr.. West.
nut he pointed out that the Government
ould rot, with fairness to itself, relin-
;uish control of the Administration of
the Capital. which is under the Const-
ution, the seat of Government. He sSlu
with the city self government Congress
would not appropriate funds for a local
government to disburse, and u the cIty
were compelled TO meet its own expenses.
me OF two things would happen: Eth
- the burden of taxation would be dou-
lied TO keep the city on its present
llane," said Mr.. West "or else the pro
Srsm of development would have {" be
ut in half. The first would be unfair
20 ihe District, and the second would
re unfair to the people of the United
states, who want their Capital TO pro-
ess and not TO retrosrade.
Prouty's Argument.
MIR Proutv advanced three reasons
Nhv Washington is able - care tor it !
elf without Government sid.
One" he said. lis that il has the |
argest amount of property per capita |
{ any city of its size: another. it has |
. he least burden of Indebtedness of any |
.ity of its size: and the third, IT doesn't |
rave TO support anything but itself.
ie argued that all the 'iiSsension be- {
ween Congress and residents of the !
district is due to the INSTRUMENTAL" /,
Ian. He declared that the people OF |
he District are better qualified for self |
government than any community in the |
nited States. /
Assistant Tax Assessor z. W. Oyster. !
Y the discussion, said: Mr.. West says /;
he property of the District is taxed too
Ugh, and Congressman PTouty says IT
not taxed enough. | don't agree with |
ither. When the present hoard "f as
~essors gets through with t9Xing the
opertv OF the District it will be just !
igEt- Congressman Prouty proposes. by
is amendment to the George bill. TO
.,reak the backs of all OF Washinston's
.oor in order to reach what he calls the
nalefactors of great wealth. who are
Systematically lodging their taxes. His
Il meadment will increase tie tax on the
Uage-earners 20 per cent
Justice of Taxation.
The assertion of Congressman Prouty
nat it was unjust TO the people of the
5tates for the District to asked Federal
help in supporting the Capital, was dis
puted by Mr. West. He said that while
he per capita tax for every man. woul-
m. and child of the District 4ssae. the
mount contributed by the nation aver
lged only cents for each citizen Mr..
froutv said that he did not want 10
,ee tine residents of Washington have
nv advantage over those OF other
ties.
If lived here. I'd yell. too said
he Iowa Congressman. but ! live in
he United States, and while I'm in
onzress m not going to let You people
ere in the District have an unfair ad-
atioI, can commit is 10 use the power
p- taxation TO take from one TO give TO
nOtheI. unless as an act OF charity
1t Is bad enough To nave taxation
y IjhoUt representation asserted Mr.
Vest. but it's going to be a great deal
> orse 10 suffer contiscatiOn."
The District champion created a gem
= 81 laugh when he said that every
ody who wants to 20 10 the White
louse to see tine President on some
rsIIIky idea iE sent to the Government
'cspital for the Insane, and his care is
rar-ed up TO the people Of the Dis
-ict"
Ny West concluded the debate by
. ing that if the 1od.o100o people of the
nlt"c States wanted the %I0Gy3 resi-
'"nt., OF tho District to assume the bur
.'n Il caring for the National Capital
"- them. all he could say is let them
IN q"