Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-07-10
The Prouty Report.

u is difficult to follow the reasoning
which prompts the submission of such a
report that which has been prepared
nv Representative Prouty III support of
the resolution for the designation of a
commission to examine into the fiscal
latiouS between the District of Columbia
and the United States. If all that is
alleged by the author of the report is
true. if Washington is a tax-dodCer's par
adise. if the rich are exempted from tax
alton elsewhere by taking up their homes
here. remedy for such a condition lies
at the hand OF Congress in the enact
ment of more drastic taxation law. But
there is nothing in such a situa tion-if
II eXists-to justify any disturbance of
the present relations between the Dis
trict and the general government in
the matter of supporting the national
capital municipality, and if the condi-
tons alleged by the Prouty report are
all that can he set up the basis for a
general overhaulins of the fiscal system
of the District Congress will have no
justification for organizing the proposed
commission.
Keen interest. however is felt in the
statistics which it is proposed will he
adduced in support Of the contention
In comparison with the people of other
cities. The Star has repeatedly present ed
figures. drawn from the latest availa hle
sources. showing quite the contrary. In
the matter of per capita tax burden, the
net result of assessment and rate ap-
plcatioU. the real test of the tax system
IT affects the average citizen. the
Neutrality-suspicious. pay more than is pa id
ny the people of other cities which
possess concentrated industrial and com
nlercial values absent from the capital
In the matter of taxable values Wash
inston is deficient compared with Bal
tIrnore. Cincinnati. Buffalo Detroit
Cleveland. Newark. Louisville Minneap-
oils. Indianapolis and many other cen
ters of population and business activity.
Vet the average taxpayer here hears d
tax burden which is out of proportion to
the coInInuntys business wealth and
activity.
The Star repeats that the District has
nothing to fear from the submission OF
the fiscal relationship question to a fair.
impartial, unprecedented ana capable COM
mission. 1t does not any reason
why the question should he agitated
however. save as such a submission may
result in the quoting of the critics who
have lately been clamorinS for a change
on the ground of the injustice of the
present arrangement. If. by leaving the
matter to jury of the ablest members
Of Congressman none but the allest
should be charged with SO Vitally i'm
portant task the determination of
the proper basis for maintaining III. fed
cra1 capltal-theSe critics can be checked
in their hanperiug. destructive work of
reducing the District to the status of
country town. the commission should be
organized without delay. But il is out
rageouslN unfair to attempt to preju-
dice the case in advance even Of the
authorization for a commission by filing
a report which. based upon inadequate
testimony. gathered from nobody knows
what sources draws a picture of an
underassessed. privilege-enjoyinG tax
lodging community, controlled as to its
finances by real estate ring" which is
one of the favorite bogies of the Dis
triet batter and in truth the shark of
the chronic critic of the half-and- half
principle.