The Washington times., 1915-04-20
ALF-AND.HALF NOT
FAIR, PARENT THINKS
Former Senator Blackburn Be-
Iieves Act He Sponsored Has
Had Day.
Continued from First Page.)


principle and substituting something
new In its place.
His views are Of exceeding interest.
in view OF his connection with the en-
actment of the present law. and the
approaching Congressional inquiry to
determine whether the half-and-half
principle shall be continued.
Mr.. Blackburn says he hesitates to
take issue with the Washington cit
ibens' committee now at work IN sup
half principle. He asserts that he
would neither disparage nor discour-
age their efforts. but the former legis-
memorial commission and still we'll
yersed in national affairs, says the
District may as well face the posi-
overthrow OF the present plan.
Regular Tax Needed.
That various plans will be consid-
cred by Congress he does not doubt.
but after survey of the field Mr..
Blackburn believes the solution of the
controversy lies in taxing District
residents as residents OF cities OF sim
liar size and importance are taxed and
permitting the Federal Government
full swing in running it's own capital;
Mr. rhs tdSar ar nesel fSa
to the Government nor to the District.
It is least fair. ! believe. to the Dis
are believe It to be mathemstcay M e G
impossible to work out a fair per
centage of expenses as between the
Federal and District governments;
Washington citizens who, are support
ing the, half and half principle, but
an inSihed to believe that Congress
should she pay on their property and per
ety. un's m sn% ore to Sondent SHa Df the hs
success of such a suggestion now
than I was that the half-and-half plan
would go through when originally
proposed.
Should Have Control.
The plan for the future development
of Washington is under the control OF
| Congress, and 1t should be. There is
| no partnership between the District and
Federal governments In the manage
| mcnt of the city.
TN the nature OF things, It IL alb
| solutely impossible to fix upon any per-
| centage which should he borne by the
| private property holder and the Fed
eral Government in providing for the
annual expenditures of the Capital II
| such a rate were fixed. 1t is impossible
| that 1t should continue long to be equit-
| able. So long as one party, the Fed
| eral Government. is constantly pur-
chasing real estate and never parting
with any of its holdings. any percentage
of upkeep expenses would be constant
ly disturbed.
THE half-and-half rate provided for
| in the organic act was bcliebcd to be
| approximately fair at that time. For
| thirty-sx years the Government has
been acquiring property here and neces-
! sariIy the old arrangement has been
| made inepuitable and unfair. When
| ever the Government acquires title 10
| a foot OF land in the District that land
| ceases to pay taxes, and to that ex-
| tent reduces the fund from which the
| citizens half OF the cost of government
Is obtained
Only One Solution.
There is but one logical solution OF
| the situation. The private property
holder in the District should be as
sessed and pay a fair tax upon his
| holding. and that tax should be deter
mined by Congress. which is clothed
with full power.
THE private property holder here
should pay tax equal to that paid
by property holders in other cities OF
the country of equal population.
This tax should be collected and
turned into the Treasury with other
ment and every dollar for the District
should be appropriated by Congress
direct from the Treasury.
This Is fair 10 the Government and
| fair 10 the private property hold"r,
TheSe should be no earthly connection
between the taxes paid on District prop.
erty and the expenditures made for
the support Of this city. No unfairness
can be charged II the private property
holder of the District pays an annual
tax upon his property equal TO that
paid by the citizens of other cities OF
equal size.
THE property holder in the District
should not he penalized because he hap
pens to reside within this District. but
his taxes should be equitably laid anC
comport with those paid by the owner,
living in similar cities. AS the residents
OF this District have no voice in the
management OF the Capital City theil
holdings should not be affected by rht
plans that Congress may adopt for this
city's improvement and development.
No Partners Wanted.
ut does not comDort with the dignity
of this great nation of 100 900 6oO people
to have any partners in planning ol
maintaining the Federal Capital.
Let Congress in its wisdom develoI
the Federal Capital along such lines a.
ITnIItlIn Tn7Tuul