The Washington times., 1915-10-28

to do their part. they tried to shoulder
as much Of the expense OF running the
could"
Mr.. Browne cited the report submitted
~ tne Board of Assessors In 1892, show
mcht IN the District to be slss 772, SO.
re SAID this estimate was made even
atter the phrase providing for assess-
neht % OF property at true value there
OF mad been construed to mean the
Tho existing assessment was s7s,Ai,-
s.,, Inc real estate interests were
1SaMc-stricken." he read from his brief
f3Sseated to the George committee.
.sssssdes so n TO Congress- ,.T for relief and md
sundrS civil act Of August s. 1899. pro.
nlsion for a board to revise and equal
ixe an assessment which the assessors
report ior 1893 calls most extraordi-
nary and alarming"
As result OF this action the ASSESS
oOo.0o to Si12.saD. .Ss3.
This went into effect in. 1884," he
his annual report for 1893 that these in
creases IN land value assessment were
too high for business prosperity"
Attacks Principle.
hr. Browne began his attack upon the
half-and-half principle as soon as A. s.
Worthington had concluded his arg,i-
mant as the final spokesman for the
Joint citizens committee.
Mr.. Browne paid tribute to the ability
and personal integrity Of his opponents.
Messrs. Macfarland. Noycs, and Worth
lnEton. and while he admitted that they
tions OF Warrington, he added: '''""
But ] belong to a citizens associa-
M moh ana they do not represent me.
Ihere are also many other citizens of
the District for whom these opponents
OF mine do not speak. They are citizens
VINO are too busy to attend committee
hearings. and 1t is for them | would
Mr.; Browne also said the people of
the United are entitled to representa-
tion mere. and he proposed to treat
the half-and- half question as ma
tional one. He expressed the opinion
that the half-and-h half principle is dead
ana mas been dead for number of
years. because the revenues OF the
District have exceeded the Federal con-
tribution annually.
One-third OF per cent Of the people
OF the United States live in the District
OF Columbia" continued Mr.. browne,
and the other 992s cannot have their
rights subordinated by the interests of
those who are permitted to live here"
Surrenders His Rights.
MIR. Browne argued that when one
moves to Washington he surrenders
rights he may have possessed In the
States and this voluntary relinquish-
ment Of such rights does not Justify
him in complaining here Of the lack of
suffrage and other privileges.
Il am unable to discover any valid
argument against the position OF SEN
ator Works." said Mr.. Browne. This
is primarily q question OF what the
Federal Government determines should
be the proper payment on each clas,
Of property In the District The juris-
diction Of the Federal Government oveI
the District Is plain: It cannot bs
questioned by anyone"
Mr.. Browne reviewed the advantage,
of living In, Washington and then pro.
ceedcd to the comparative figures pres.
ent In the citizens brief regarding pc,
capita taxation. The brief. he contn.
ued. omitted one most important thing
from the bulletin OF the Census Office
the expenditures per capita in Washing
ton and cities Of approximately the
same size.
The average per capita expenditure.
In seven other stiles. hs contendcd. |!
only about 20 cents more than the pc,
capita expenditure In Washington
which IL $751; .46.