The Washington times., 1915-11-12


elsewhere. and most intangible property
PAYS taxes somewhere said Mr..
would you nx the present tax rate
on real property-N.60 a hundred At two
thirds vaiues' asked Congressman
"Yes. 1. think that 10 AZ much as
Congress should impose here an
swcred Mr.. Blackburn.
''And YOU would turn these taxes
""Yes., into the general fund
aossrnn,ent ~ ] treat this asa as a Nstionai
Capital and appropriate for .tA"
absolutely, and 1 would have no
semblance OF partnership between the
Federal government and the pistHd
Mr.. Gard wanted TO know II the ar.
rangement OF 1878 was fair, what had
brought about the necessity OF change.
Mr., Blackburn replied that the largest
Of isnd by the Federal Government,
which undoubtedly must continue To
add to its holdings. The committee
would be surprised. he observed. " II
are now housed in rented buildings.
Washineton. he added, Is becoming
more and more as a Federal city. and
should be 80 recognised.
Higher vslue Offset.
Senator Salisbury asked u the trolley
car and the automobile had not caused
the development and Increased value Of
lands that were farm property in 1878,
and Congressman Gard wanted to know
II private property Is not Increased In
value when the Government adds to
Its holdings.
Il am not prepared to answer spe.
cifically." said Mr.. Blackburn. except
.A.s mr. IN
taken OF The tax books as soon as II Is
acquired and this offsets to an extent
whatever Increased value there may
accrue to private property. This private
property continued to pay taxes at the
increased rate.
percentage arrangement was proper
thrrty-six years ago the percentage to-
day ought to he IS per cent Tor the
Federal Government and % per cent for
the DistTst as.d .y,ts%
/ But do not think there should be
any fixed proportion or partnership.
Whatever the taxes may be here they
, should be irrespective Of the Federal
; Col. A. g. Worthinston.. OF the joint
Biackburns speech Of 1878 in which he
ton. OF expenditures was necessary te
give stability to property values fcre
, and that there could he no sucn sta
bility as long A the District appropria.
tions were left to-, the 'whim and
/ caprice Of Congress"
Best Solution Then.
II repeat every word OF It now" said
former Senator Blackburn. who was q
member Of the House when the speech
was made. AT that time the half
and half principle was the test solution
skat hn hoA
thing that could be put through tho
two houses. Ii conditions were toda,
as they were thirty-six years aso.
would still favor the fixcd proportion
but tSt, l ,hn, am suggesting something 0e''e'
Chairman Chiffon asked II Mr.. Black
burn did not feel gratihed over IN,
thought that he Was author OF Law
which had lasted approximately thirty
had once suggested that every lay
should be automatically repealed u
thirty years. -.
THAT is exactly how feel about II
am proud Of the fact and thank yo' %
for the compliment" said Mr.. Black
, burn.
Congressman Cooper said that thi
, nation would be one Of 3M0Qo.0o0 peopl
eventually and 1t behooved the Consres
to prepare for the extension OF the cap'
"Yes. the doctrine Of prepa redness az
piles to this situation right here sal
senator Works asked II Mr.. Black
burn thought the citizens OF Washing
ton wanted the half -and-half plan re
tanned.
Fear Raised Taxes
William II. Saunders expressed tn
belief that there is n prevalent fear u
the District that. II. the present hsca
, kol hn pt,ta "A,
would lessen its contributions to tn
, city. and the taxes here would b
raised.
Has 1t occurred to you that the, hall
and-haif plan may act as q lim.tatio
, Works.
: : Il have no way OF knowing whl
i future Congresses may do SAID vi
: senator Works then questioned tn
= witness about taxes. Mr. Saun0ers sa'
he believed they are too hign. ne Sal
y the fact had oeen brought Iorcibly hvn
: - nm In sales where tRe selling price
( We're less than the Dasis OF assessmG n
: We understand BY tbs time that ir
e dividual parcels may be too high" Sal
Senator Works. but what am try
n to ind out Is the basis OF your gener;
d statement that taxes. in the assregat
are too high"
books. and ! have compared the assesl
= ments with sales
= Suppose the half-and-half plan wei
|. left as 1t is and the taxes remain II
!. same. would you be satished?' aske
Senator Works.
: NO. But / don't believe the questo
9 of proper assessment and the half-an,
o hall plan should be coupled" NJ
e Saunders told him.
= Not . Rich City.
5 I'VE have the name here of bein
a rich CITY," MIR. Saundnrs continue
u Il don't know how that impressi6
J. has come about. l nave not the III
d ures at hand. but l believe the ave
y age salary here Is lower than th'
. CT the expert workman. The cost
II living is high. -Four. fifths Of Il
" homes owned In Washington BY sa
u aried men art muitSaged. and ihe
= are carried at great disadvdntnG
,s and many times cannct he rem ,w'
n because Of depreciation OF the pro
o erty.
= There are crmparatN ely few ri,
people here. The average fnc hom
here are fewer than in other citit
though there are a few palatial On
q that attract attention. The conditi'
,r OF the people here IN ono respect