Evening star., 1915-11-15
urges HOME RULE
FOR THE DISTRICT
W. D. Mackenzie Says Local
Residents Are Entitled to (
SeIf-Government.
THINKS U. S. SHOULD PAY
JUST SHARE OF EXPENSE
Also Advocates Single Tax System
Argument Made Before Committee
on Fiscal Relations.

on Fiscal Relations.
An argument in favor of permitting
the citizens of the District to have
home rule, to tax themselves and to
: expend their taxes. the government of
the United States continuing to contribute
a just share toward the expenses of the
. National Capital, was made today by
w. D. Mackenzie of the Tax Reform
Association before the congressional
committee investigating the fiscal rela-
tions between the United States and the
District of Columbia
Mr.. Mackenzie declared the plan by
which the federal government would
} pay all the expenses of the District, the
citizens paying a reasonable tax into
; the federal Treasury. would by no means
settle the difficulties which have ex-
listed in Congress over the appropria-
tions for the capital during the last few
| years.
He argued in favor of the adoption OF
the single tax as the most nearly just
system of taxation that could be found.
Discusses New Fiscal Plan.
"Since the representatives of the Tax
Reform Association had the privilege Of
presenting their views before this COM
mittee a new fiscal plan has been pro-
posed, very clear-cut and dennlte
}plan, sponsored by men whose views
naturally will have a great deal or IN
fuence with the committee, SAID Mr-
Mackenzie This fiscal arrangement,
as outlined by Commissioner Oliver r
Newman is, in brief, that the national
government shall pay all of the ex-
lpenses of the District of Columbia; that
John Hobbs, who is fortunate OF uhioi
itunate enough to live in the Distrlct'
shall pay into the Treasury OF the
limited States a fair and reasonable
sum of money for the privilege. protec-
tion and civic rights, that ne enjoys os
living in the District of Colum ola' anu
THAT fair sum of money loI Johl
Hobbs to pay for living in the Distrlct
would be what it would cost MIN ~
live in any other city OF the Same
size. o,,s IN
1.-The District of Columbia under tne
Ihalf-and- half system. and Will no oouo' @
lcontinue to be generous IN lts app ~
lpria tions for the district uLuer tl,, nc ne
leround for apprehension that congress
intends to overtaX the people OF the
District or to withhold any necessary
Appropriations of public funds.
Citation of Objections.
i
lcertain serious objections to the pro-
posed fiscal plan. In stating these op-
| factions I want to assume all the re-
Esnonsibility for the position l take, al
though 1 haye every reason to oeileVe
that it represents the views OF many .oi
the people of this city
.In the first place, the proposed fiscal
arrangement would not remedy the
evils and difficulties which. it viii pc
|
present fiscal system. 1t would sun pe
necessary for the District Commission
ers to submit detailed estimates 70
Congress showing exactly what amount
it is proposed to expend for each detail
of city administraton-so much Tor
! IextendinR x street, SO much Tor laying
Ia sewer in another part or the CITY SO
much for the salaries OF pupiic schooi
teachers, etc.
at would still be necessary for two
congressional committees. known as
the House and Senate District commit
tees, to grapple with these estimates
and to render reports thereon to Con-
lgress 1t would still be necessary to
have District days, on whicn tne op-
posing issues in regard to District al
| fairs would be fought out on the hoor
! of the Senate and House. rendering 1t
necessary to delay more important
| business of national character until
our little city affairs are settleo-a1-
fairs which are settled in other cities
Iby a small city council or board OF al
/ " q e---
Let us look ahead little. Will the
proposed fiscal plan really clamp tne
controversies which have for so many
years past wasted the time OF Con.
eress and blocked the enactment OF
necessary District legislation? You
are going to fix new rate OF taxation
in the District, rate which major
itv in Congress will consider reason
| ab,e as compared with the rates paid
/ sksI e.
in other cities st1ii, IT LIS, Is saie h 10 10 pre-.
~ congress who will insist either that
! the rate of taxation in the District
shall be raised high enough to cover
eress in the District, or that the an
nuaI appropriations for the District
shall be kept SO low that they Will be
| covered by the total amount raised by
taxation in the Distrlct'
No Abatement Of Difficulties.
"1rnder the proposed fiscal system the
..orrn center will not be the half-and-
half. the crucial question will be the
raI.tjon between District revenues and
District expenditures. Some members
~ Congress, probably an increasing
numher will always say: The District
| naid only so much in taxes last year.
u Z. not fair that we should vote 80
nanv millions next year for new school
buildings or extensions of water and
sewer systems; we should let the Dis
tric, wait for few years" And so 1t
| will go,
come up under any system? Yes, but
nnder a more practical system there is
| slways natural test and a natural
solution of the difficulties as they arise.
"J am going to be very frank. shall
bew to the line and let the chips fall
where they may With all due re-
Ispect to the eminent gentlemen who
have indorsed this proposed fiscal sys-
Item, I do not like 1t because 1t is too
}paternalistfc.
Has Self-Government in View.
.@While this joint congressional COM
lmittee is not authorized to take action
lin regard to questions of local self
government, it would be unfortunate,
lin my Judgment. II any new fiscal sys-
ltem should be adopted by Congress
which would block the road to local
self-government in Washington
"As already stated. the proposed pa
lternalistic system leaves little IL any
room for local self government. Il
would, indeed, be quite practicable. un-
Initiative and referendum by which
1.-THE people of the District would be per
lmittod to advise Congress and the Dis
,trict Commissioners of their wishes in
regard to proposed District Laws and
:, ,iotf