Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-11-06

|
1914 ...........-........ .-.......... WY
| 1915 .............--..... -. o'''"'
| In other words, the District raised by
| actual cash collection of revenues the
| FOREGOING percentages OF total appro-
| priations-authorized for the foregoing
| years.
| at is true that in those years when
the appropriations were more IMAM
double the amount OF locai es..i.'" 80
| revenues, Congress directed that the
treasurer advance the money required
to make up the District deficit ana re-.
ouired that these moneys ne repair
from District revenues Win tue au
dition of 2 per cent interest, but, SO
far as the actual transaction in the
Treasury Department was concerned
this was merely borrowing money from
one pocket to put it into another, and
| the interest charged only served 10
exageerate the fiction.
| "At the end of this. the present fscal
wear. according to the best optalnaple
estimate, the District revenues win
| exceed one-half of the appropriations
/ is customary to term this balance a
surplus, but as matter OF fact, II
| will be a part OF the moneys OF the
United States. and will be avallapie
for the purposes of any appropriation
made by Congress for any purpose
| whatsoever Thus, it will be seen
that, in so far as it works at all.
| the. half -and-half works against the
District and not for 1t.
| -.u = firmly believe that all of our
troubles with respect to this problem
would be ended If the next approprla-
| ton bill, instead of reading that one
| half of the following sums respective
| ly is appropriated out OF any money
| in the Treasury not otherwise appro-
| priated. and the other half out of the
| revenues of the District of Columbia
| should be changed to read. that the
following sums are appropriated out
| of any money in the treasury not
otherwise appropriated.
Would Not Add to District Taxes.
."That would leave our present laws
! of assessment and taxation as they
are. 1t would not cost any taxpayer
in the District of Columbia an addi-
tional cent, it would not impose the
burden of another cent upon any tax
payer out of the District of Columbia.
and II would not even affect the book
keeping arrangements OF the Treas
ut would simply break down legis-
latiye fiction and bring the statute
| books into accord with already exist
| ing facts.
| Il do not believe, if that were done,
that it would in anywise affect the
| Judgment of Congress in determining
| what appropriations would be made,
| every proposed measure affecting the
| National Capital an opportunity to be
| considered in Congress solely upon It's
merits, and not provoke unprontaple
discussion of the half-and-half. That
this. as I believe. much to be de-
| sired end may be accomplished, 1t IS
necessary, however, that your COM
mittee prepare a. report which you can
present to Congress, together with
your reasons therefor, which you will
be able successfully to defend and sus-
| tain. My suggestions with respect to
q plan are very simple
an the first place, / would have Con-
press declare that since the District
of Columbia is the National Capital
II should be governed and supported
solely by the federal government.
Then, that this District may not be-
come a haven of refuge for tax
dodgers, and that the people who live
here may pay, as they are willing to
pay, for the benefits and privileges en-
| ioyed by them, ] would provide that
Just and equitable tax be levied COM
parable in SO far as possible with that
| maid by citizens of other cities of ap-
proximately the same size as Wash
ington.
'.These revenues and all other rev.
enueS from licenses, special assess
ments, etc. should be paid into the
| Treasury Of the United States to be
treated exactly are other revenues
of the federal government.
| IT believe that this rule would es-
tablish q just and equitable proportion
that would meet every changing con-
dition and provide for every exigency
of the future.
1T would mean that the people who
live here would pay for their munic-
ipal services and municipal benefits
Just what people who live in other
cities pay for theirs But it would
also mean that Congress would not
be limited either fiscally or psychology
ically in it's desire to conserve and de-
yelop the National Capital by any con-
sideration of the ability of the local
residents to pay for such conservation
and development.
.'It has been urged before the COM
|, mittee by various persons who are OPP
proper thing to do Is to find out what
particular municipal service here is
rendered purely for local purposes and
charge the local revenues with that;
and then distinguish what particular
| service is rendered for the national
government and to charge the national
government for that, and wherever
any particular service falls partly within
and partly without national scope to de-
termne what part the national govern
ment ought to pay. Mr.. Mackenzie says,
, for instance, that the police department
, ought to be paid for wholly by the ma :
, | tional government. and that the health
. and sanitary work, including the main
tenance and extension of sewers, should
be paid for solely by the local govern
ment. To my mind this Is illogical. for
: IL the police render any service OF
protection to the lives and property OF
: the. personnel Of the national estab-
lishment. certainly the health depart