Evening star., 1915-06-01
Let Well Enough Alone.

II doubling of the revenue from
reasonable local taxation in the Dis
trict produced more money than
could be wisely, economically and ap-
propriately spent in maintenance and
development OF the capital then some
readjustment of the present financial
arrangement would naturally suggest
itself; not the drastic and destructive
mutilations of the law that have been
advocated, but some amendment that
would work out as nearly as possible
precisely the degree of readjustment
needed.
But this doubling does not as vet
produce too much for suitable main
tenance and development of the eapi-
tai. In many years it has not pro-
duced enough to provide for needed
permanent Improvements as we'll as
current maintenance Much remains
to be done in the line of these prof.
ects and in the Strengthening of COM
paratively neglected branches of mu-
nicipal administration. Our money
in the past has been, in the present is
and in the future will be, wisely and
helptuliy spent under the direction of
Congress, with all the safeguards
against graft thrown by the Treasury
Department around funds handled
through its agency and under its su-
pervision. For many years every
cent that will be available for capital
development from doubling of local
tax money will be needed. Congress
will be embarrassed by the confusing
variety of wise and helpful projects
OF capital upbuilding, and not by any
lack of them. One has only to exam
inc the neglected suggestions OF capi-
tai betterment made by Distric. Com
missioners past and present TO learn
what sound projects OF municipal de-
velopment have been ignored in or
der to make showing OF greater
revenue under the half-and half law
than the capital needs or can eco
nomically expend.
Since the Washingtonian's tax-bur-
den is reasonable, certainly not too
light, and yet not grossly excessive /;
and since the capital needs even more
for its judicious upbuilding and main
tenance than the half-and-half law
produces. why not leave we'll enough
alone?
There are good friends of Wash
ington who seek legislation empha-
sizing the national character of taxes
collected in the District. They would
no longer have the taxes raised in
Washington even called District
taxes, but designated and treated as
national taxes. national revenues, to
be covered like revenues from the
tariff into the national treasury.
This proposition ought not to be
pushed at this time. TO the undermin-
ing and overthrow OF the half and
hall provision.
The District taxes do not, as ma
tional taxes. meet the constitutional
requirements OF uniformity through
out the United States. or of being laid
IN proportion to the census. They are
not direct and general national taxes !;
but are special and extraordinary
taxes coupled as to expenditure with
4 trust
No words can be used that will give
the nation more complete control o.
this trust fund. The words District
taxes, District revenues, partner
ship arrangement, half and half
agreement and organic act only sug-
sest and in part define the trust obli-
cation toward the capital as bene-
iiciary which IS lawfully and equitably
coupled with the collection by the
nation of special and extraordinary
taxes from the community, not uni
form throughout the United States
and not laid in proportion to the
census. .....
Since the trust obligation exists
why not define it in terms of pro-
portionate participation in RESPONSE
bility, as provided in the half-and-
half agreement of 1878!
Since full power and an equitable
obligation co-exist why object to any
mere verbiage which does not reduce
the power and which only defines
more clearly the self-imposed obliga-
ton?
Since the obligation is conceded
why destroy its definite statemen,
under the act of 1873 and leave its
definition so vague and uncertain that
the obligation itself may be viewed
by unfriends of the capital as repudi
sted and destroyed? ...
Since advocates of the Morrill, plar
and zealots in upholding the nationa
supremacy in the nations city are ir
intent friends of the capital why joir
with the enemies of Washington tc
destroy Something Good and Bene.
fetal, merely in the hope of substitut
ing Something Better. and with al
most certainty of substituting
Something Worse?
Hnru %ha 1ulA;Uhf Wos Cunk