The Washington herald., 1915-04-21
Mr.. Blackburn's Fiscal Plan.

Former Senator ]. c. S. Blackburn, who is
more responsible than any statesman now living
for the establishment of the present fiscal rela-
tions between the District of Columbia and the
Federal government. announces that he believes
the time has arrived when those relations should
be dissolved and new system for the main
tenance and development of the Capital adopted.
Coming from the who is known as the
sponsor for the organic act OF 1873, which pro-
vded the half -and-half principle, and one of the
best friends the District has ever had, MIR. Black
burns views are of intense interest and will re-
ceivc careful consideration from the Congress
sional Committee of Inquiry and those citizens
who are presenting the case of Washington be-
fore that committee
Mr.. Blackburn prefaccs the announcement OF
the details of the system he would substitute for
the present one with the assertion that "the
halfandhalf principle is fair neither to the gov
ernment nor to the District. 1t is least fair. l
believe, to the District" He proceeds to outline
a plan which contemplates depositng the total
revenues derived from the taxes paid by the resi-
dents of Washington in the Federal Treasury,
while Congress is TO appropriate the money for
the maintenance and support of the Capital of the
Nation and the District of Columbia from the
Treasury without any consideration OF the amount
of revenue which the people OF the District
tribute. Obviously Mr.. Backburn's plan means
the complete dissolution of the partnership be-
tween District and Nation. 1t is difficult to escape
the conclusion that this would result in removing
the present slight scmblance of individual
existence which the people of the District
enjoy, at least imagine they enjoy; they must
become and remain so long as they arc without
representation in Congress- mere tenants OF the
United States, without the least voice in determ-
lining how much money they shall contribute or
in what amount and for what particular munich
pal purposes it shall be expended.
1t may perhaps be argued that the people Of
Washington have almost voice in the manage
mcnt OF their municipal affairs at the present Time
and that in this respect the situation would not
be greatly changed but as matter OF fact there
would be difference. 1t is a provision Of
law now that for every dollar OF revenue con-
tributed by the District the Federal government
is to contribute dollar for the support OF the
Capital. Theoretically at least the District has
treasury OF its own: its people chccrfully pay
their taxes and there is an incentive to interest
and effort toward the development and expansion
of the Capital. II the revenues they contribute
arc to be swallowed up in the general treasury
and regardless of what their amount may be, Con
gress is to dole out exactly what il secs fit and no
more, the position of the taxpayers OF this city
would be to excite both pity and contempt.
From material standpoint the city would
probably not fare badly at the hands OF Congress
controlled by liberal, fair minded men, but it would
be quite within the power of hostile District COM
mittec, absolutely without restriction OF law and
able to sway the House, to reduce Washington the
City, distinguished from Washington the Capt.
tai, to sad plight. Without a shadow of right
to the use of its revenues. ample though
they might be for its support, the city could be
compelled to beg for money to maintain its
schools, its police and fire departments, to pre-
serve its health and to light its streets.
The partial safeguard against such state
OF affairs is the fact that it would be ilmpossi
to divorce the interests and holdings OF the Fed
eral government from those OF the District No
line can be drawn separating them, for they meet
and merge over the whole territory constituting
an actual partnership that could only be dissolved
by revolution. Yet that is what Mr. Black
burns plan would attempt; and he would make
tenants of the people, with only the right of tax
paying and humble petition.