The Washington times., 1914-04-13
CUPID ATTENDS WHITE HOUSE FETE.

have been justified at that time. He
referred to pamphlets recently issued
by the Chamber of Commerce that one
argument for Federal aid is based on
the fact that promoters Of the city Of
washington gave the Government alter
nate lots for its own use.
This Is nothing more nor less than
the ordinary speculative method resort
ed to by promoters Of town Sites" he
argued.
ferred to by Mr. Prouty, who asked
why the citizens of Cleveland, with a
per capita Indebtedness of $st or the
citizens of New Orleans, with q per
capita Indebtedness of s1I4, or the ctti-
zens OF Philadelphia with a per capita
Indebtedness of SCI. or the citizens of
Baltimore with a per capita indebted
ness of s74, or OF New York city with a
per capita Indebtedness Of $l53, should
be required to come over and help
carry the burdens of Washington with d
per capita Indebtedness Of Slt75."
In summing up the cases between the
District and Federal governments, Con-
gresham rrouty said:
AFo- thirty-siX years the Federal Gov
ernment has paid one-half Of all the
expenses of the city of Washington, in
cludinS schools, Polio. and Fire De
partmcnts, and special improve me nts.
such AS pavements, sidewalks, and sew
ers. Last year the Federal Cover rment
paid for these expenses about 81 go 900.
II is more than the average State of tho
Union pays for all OF its State expenses.
OF this amount. the little State of Iowa
Contributes about $4,000 although its
part % the taxes at home is twice as
heayy as is levied IN the property of
the District OF Columbia.
Real estate in Des MoineS pays
twenty-five mills on the dollar actual
value. Washington pays ten mills. The
average paid BY all the cities of the
United States is nineteen mills. Tine
people Of Washington pay about one
half the taxes that the average citizen
pays elsewhere and this reduction re-
suits from the generous contribution
from the Federal Treasury.
Us this fair? There is no reason
why a person living In the beautiful
city of Washington should not pay as
much for that privilege as other peo-
pie have to pay for like residence in
other cities, and the taxing of the
whole people to create a preferential
condition for the people Of Washing
ton is indefensible.
"Tax At True Value"
washington has always skillfully
and successfully played the role of the
wiley miser who conceals his wealth
that he might have face for asking
charity. Real estate has only been
assessed at A per cent of its actual
true value. Moneys credits, stocks
and bonds. and boarded wealth. includ-
ing diamonds, have been exempt from
taxation, and there IS no Inheritance
tax Moneyed institutions have been
assessed at not more than one-third of
their actual value. This has given the
appearance Of needing aid.
If properly in Washington was as
scssed and taxed as il Is else where IL
would produce more revenue than Is
needed to operate the city OH its pres
en- basis.
"WaGhinSton does not nov need ma
tiopal aid. Her people are now the
" caltEiest people per capita in the
United States. She has the greatest
amount rf taxable property per capita
Of any like city. She has the least
actual or per capita Indebtedness OF
any like city. and is in the best CON
dition financially to pay her own way.
Every dollar that ii collects by as
scssment ii can use for its own bcne-
fit. Other cities have to contribute a
part of their revenue 10 the support
of the STATE and county governments
in which they are located.