The Washington times., 1915-03-09
SOLONS ANNOUNCE
TAX PROBE PLANS
intend to Cut Short All sugses.
tions Of Changes In District
Government.

With intent to out short all sugges-
tons regarding Z. change in the form
Of government in the District. on the
theory that they have no snthority o
consider such suggestions. members Of
ate and House to investigate the half
and-haif controversy. today outlined
the probable scope OF their inquiry.
These are the major questions which
Washington indicate will take prece.
dencc during the inquiry. viz:
1. Are the residents OF the District Of
Columbia paving taxes equivalent to
Of comparative size and benefits?
Q. What Ia the value OF the Govern
ment property located In the District Of
Columbia. and to what extent does 1t
add to the tax burdens? For instance,
to keep up the streets and parks Incl
dent to the existence Of the Govern
ments property and how much does
i cost to give fire protection and po-
%Sst 5Sst,fiestion. % Il S any. piis'th is there
in the demand that Intangible property
In the District Of Columbia shall be as
I. To what extent should the Federal
interest on the funded debt Of the Dis
trict Of Columbia?
s. Whether or not It is true that. be-
cause Of the Government property here
the street cleaning and street mainten-
than those Of cities OF similar sise?
8. What opposition is there to the
half-and-half plan either In tho Dis
trict Of Columbia or throughout the
country?
Is Taxation Fair?
Z. IL District property fairly taxed at
two-thirds value?
8. To what extent does the advant.
age Of having the Government estab-
lishment located in Washington coun-
terbalance the admitted extra expense
to the city in aiding to keep this Capt.
tai al q sort OF national Jewel box"
and pride Of tho nation?
which the Joint committee Of the Sem
ate and House will want data when
the investigation IL opened in Septem-
Der. No one member Of the committee
ts,p ts sponsor for the tentative suggss-
vestigators will 20 about asking infor-
nation. but interviews with several Of
the investigators today show that their
minds run along the same sroove as to
the things In which the committee must
evince most interest.
There is likewise a growing unanim-
ity OF opinion among the members OF
the committee that they have no au-
thority whatever to take up the sub
5ect OF suffrage in the District Of CO.
lumoia. nor are they inclined to con-
slider in the remotest degree suggestions
that the District ought to have a leg
islature. or a delegate in Congress. II
Is the intention Of the investigating
board to conine the inquiry strictly
to the 'hscal relations" between the
District and Federal Governments and
the probe. therefore. will concern prin-
cinally the Justice Of taxation.
Senator salisbury. the only one Of the
Senate representatives Of the commit
tee now In Washington. Joined TODAY
with the House members In the suKges-
ton that the committee may materially
shorten its labors by hearing only we'll
posted representatives Of the two fac
tionS interested.
Senator Salisbury Is opposed 70 q
"talky" inquiry. continuing over sew
erai months. He believes that most
Of the data wanted by the investisa tors
may be collected during the summer by
District officials. Government officials.
and citisens. and that much OF this