The Washington times., 1915-11-12
REAL ESTATE BROKER
FOR HALF.AND-HALF
w. H. Saunders Urges Reten.
ton Of Principle at Fiscal
Rate Inquiry. a..E
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CONTINUED from First PageJ
Commissioners Newman and Browniow.
IN renouncing the organic law OF
which he was the author. Mr.. Black.
burn informed the committee that his
change were accurately outlined in an
Interview in The Washington Times
several months ago
.. Outlines History.
Former Senator Blackburn began with
q brief history OF chaotic conditions ex-
istinE In the District prior to the enact
mont OF the organic act OF 1878. Prop
erty values. he said. were not sScertain-
able because Of the uncertainty Of the
amount of appropriations from Con-
Gress and "all sorts and forms Of Gov-
erhment here" '
Mr.. Blackburn. said he did not regard
the half-and-half law as perfect but
that u was approximately equitable. !
II did not think" he said, that the
taxpayers here should contribute 30 per
cent Of the expenses. but II was an ap-
proximately equitable arrangement. and
was the best thing that could be OBJ
tained at the time. .. -. /
tion OF the haif-and-half payment plan.
looked at II from the standpoint Of
one friendly to the District. and from
that day to this I have never ceased to
entertain q friendly feeling for the peo-
''If that principle was fair in 1873 It
certainly 10 not fair today. For thirty
six years there has been a shifting In
the holdinss Of real estate in this city.
not think that the Government has ever
parted with a foot Of land. II has been
acquiring real estate. instead Of dispos-
ing Of u. and this real estate as ac-
books.
Equilibrium Disturbed.
THAT has tended to disturb the equi-
hbrium upon which taxes are based
II the people OF the District were pay
ing their fail proportion of taxes In 1873
they are certainly paying more than a
fair proportion now
Mr.. Blackburn cited the Plaza prop
erty and the Mall as representing large
Government acquisitions of property re-
moved from the tlxotion list.
THE status Of 1878 no longer exists" "
continued former senator Blackburn.
For that reason believe the time ha 8
come to abolish the 50 per cent arrange
ment between the Federal Government
There are other reasons: ! 10 not
believe the Federal Government should
be in partnership with any one. do
not think It COMFORTS with the dignity
Of q nation Of 100. 30. .cu0 people to main
tain a business partnership with the
persons who pay taxes In the District.
Some months ago an interview APP
II hs pss ,Ss
question. My position is:
4 think the property owners here
should pay just saxes on their holdings
do not think these taxes should nave
CnnneCttOn wt.atevar with rho vvnn tn.
tepance and development Of the Capital
BY the Federal Government.
Congress Power Absolute.
Congress has absolute power here, In
the District. Its responsibility ought
to be as limitless as its power and au.
thority.
II believe the partnership between
the District and the United States
ought TO be dissolved; The law Of 1877,
third Of a century. 1t has lasted Longer
than thought 1t would and has work.
ed better than l thought 1t would.
1n.d has Sesn the policy Of tn,
partnership with any one. 1t does moi
even patronize private insurance com
panies to insure Its buildings agains
II think that Congress should nx ,
fair rate Of taxation to be paid by thu
people residing within the District ano
this rate should be fxed without th'
the Capital Of the Nation. believe
these taxes should be collected ant
turned into the Treasury and that ever!
penny for the maintenance. develop
ment, ornamentation. and extension o
the National Capital should be appro
Priated by Congress directly out OF tn
Treasury;
h. %Sa haze 81 the ne
the amount of taxes raised here.
Might Be Parsimonious.
1T has been suggested in some quar-
ters that Congress might be parsimo
NOUS In its treatment Of the Capital
have no sympathy with such sugges
tions. | speak in the light OF the ex
perience OF one who has served NOR
than third OF a century In the tw
houses OF Congress. do not believ
there is more responsive body tina
the congress-composed OF House mem
bers who are elected every two year
and Senators elected every six years.
ITO charge that these men woul
adopt cheese pairing policy towar
the Capital Of the Nation is to i'm
peach the patriotism OF one hundre
with that sort OF talk.
Until this partnership between tn
District and the Federal Government
is dissolved there Is no way to cscap
the constantly recurring wranges /
the Senate and House over the hall
and-half plan. These wrangles aiway
occur when the District appropriate
bills are up, and they will continue {
occur so long as this unnatural partner
ship lasts.
Has No Regrets.
Former Senator Blackburn said h
had no regrets nor apologies to off,
as the author OF the act of 1878.
had answered it's purpose for thirty
six years. he said. and was the bes
thing that could be gotten for tn
district at the time.
"lf the present plan OF dividing e.
pcnses Is to be maintained" he SAT
"and II the gentlemen OF this con
mittec cannot be persuaded to re'
onmend a different plan, then
wo Iid be aiad to see 1t maintaine
but | think the people here are ei
titled to some thing better. The res
dents here ought to lie required
pay fair taxes On their property
they ought not to be penalized f.
living here, nor should they recei'
unusual bcnchts because they III
here. And, as | said. would e
nlish pn rnpnp,tip 'whatpyer b