The Washington times., 1915-10-25

Our third proposition. that the pro-
portion OF the District expenses to be
paid by the national Government should
not be less than one-half, was fully
recognized by the majority OF all the
committees that passed upon the ques-
tion during the lS7i-7S period, even by
the one committee. the joint committee
OF 1916. which reported in favor OF
contribution by the Federal Government
of not less than 40 per cent accord
ing to the statement OF MIR. hunton of
Virginia a member OF that committee.
in the debate of 1878 when he supported
the half-and-half plan.
Much of the discussion of this
question Las implied that the District
was the only jurisdiction to which
the United states Treasury had con-
trIbutcd. We have assembled the
facts as to gifts of land and money
made to the States and Territories in
Briefly. grants Of public lands hays
| been made amounting to 1sS,524 723 ~
| acres to the States and Territories.
! besides nearly as much more In rail.
road land grants which also benefited
the States and Territories.
~The United states has also given
to tho States and Territories a per-
centage OF the funds arising, from, the
boundaries. amounting. to June 30,
! 1914. to $is.324 5000. These grants
: CT land and money were made for
public education and public improve
ments.
Gifts of 1887.
! "ITnder the so-caIlcd Morrill, acts. ap-
propria tions OF money for education in
! agriculture and the mechanic arts were
made, amounting to 1915. to s35 53o2, 900
for agriculture and mechanic arts. and
t, to 81. SO. .sdl.l9 for agricultural expert
| ment stations. Congress gave to the
States under the act of January J: 1877.
al! the surplus in the United States
amonnted to s2S.i .s44sl. as deposits.
~hiich have meyer been recalled Ma
1914. S4So0W has been paid for co-opera-
tive agricultural extension work in the
| States. and the amount will be increased
S5SO.OoO after which there will be
the permanent annual appropriation OF
THE District shared in none Of the
gifts OF appropriations mentioned"
District Contributions.
On the subject of taxation IN the Dis
trict, former Commissioner Macfarland
said In part:
THE District residents have con.
tributed their full share OF all national
taxes. and more of those taxes whose
revenues can be definitely ascertained
than the people Of large number OF
the States. although It is notorious tina,
this is not manufacturing. commercial
or wealthy city.
Included in the assessors state.
ments Is one Of the approximate value
of property exempt from taxation In the
District, estimating that OF the United
that Of the District at 81, ,123. 1885, and Of
all property 1894. 1855, 400.
I'VE assume that according to tn,
down In his speech. Congress will no
tax the District residents simply fol
the sake OF taxing them, but only fol
the purpose of raising the necessar,
revenue for local purposes. and that &
necessary taxation will be reduced rather
than steadily Increased as has been tn,
case. regardless of the appropriations
so that 1t is now estimated that ther'
will be unappropriated revenue of tn,
District in the United States Treasur,
at the close Of the present fiscal yea
amounting to 81 100000.
Either all the District revenues
and-half plan. as Is necessary to NEE
the increasing needs Of the District, ol
local taxation should be reduced so a!
in the National Treasury. though raised
by taxation For local purposes.
Unused District Revenues.
The repeal OF tne limitation In tht
act Of March 3. 1909. on the estimator
Of the Commissioners to double tn,
amount OF the estimated District reve
nues is desirable IN order that unused
District revenues in the National Treas
, urv may be included in the estimates.
I'VE assume also that Congress viii
not provide new forms of taxation sim
ply for the sake OF novelty II the exist
ing forms Of taxation are fair and no
burdensome, and provide the necessar!
revenue
ITO show that even under the presen
; adequate taxation, and the proper in
crease with the increase OF population
: and Just assessment Of increased val
ues the DistriGt revenues alone coul
, only half develop or maintain the ma
tions city. we would remind the com
! mittee OF the many needs for tn
! physical and moral progress OF tn
Capital which have been presented b.
= the District Commissioners and othe
Q authorities and not acted upon by Con
gress. together with others whichS hav
= not been presented because OF the lin
: itation OF the estimates. or for othe
I reasons.
Y I'VE show also that the other nationa
: governments encourage industrial an
commercial enterprises, resulting /