Evening star., 1919-03-01
National Contribution Still Needed

National Contribution Still Needed
The committee indicates the changes
in conditions causing it to think that
an arbitrary half-and half rule may
not be necessary today. The District
had in 1878 less than half its present
population, and was then weighed
down by a heavy burden OF debt,
which has now been largely paid
The District no longer needs, the
committee thinks. to be compelled by
law to bear its proper share of the
burden. on the other hand. the ma
tional government, the committee in
the splendid utility and beauty of the
city planned on s national base; it
has erected many buildings "of the
very highest standard of architec-
ture: it has acquired more and more
land every year, holding it for strict
ly governmental purposes, and with
drawing it from participation in as
sessment and taxation; It's 'increas
ing needs in this, it's central
home, demand. and will continue to
demand, more land, more buildings
more reservations" In other words
the capital land holdings, of the ma
tion and it's reasonable pride in the
beautiful city which il has developed
have so increased since 1873 that the
compulsion of an arbitrary law is not
neeeSsary to cause the nation, through
Congress. to bear half for even more
than half the burden OF capital up
building.
The committee does not and that
the capital no longer needs the ma
tional haff contribution. On the con-
trary. the committee clearly indicates
that the national half contribution is
heeded more than ever, and should. if
altered. be increased. The need OF more
than half contribution by the nation
is affirmed; only the need of a law to
compel at least THIS half contribution
is denied
Washingtonian Pays Enough.
First. in regard to what the Wash
ingtonian should equitab1y pay, the
committee recommends that the peo-
pie Of Washington pay compa rabIe
in assessment, rate and amount to
that tax paid by the residents of other
cities similar in population and To-
cation to the city OF Washington.
and there should be no greater exac-
ton in taxation from the people of
the District of Columbia" with the
payment of such taxes the
financial responsibility of the resi-
dents Of the District should be con
cIuded."
The committee further finds that un-
der the operations of the existing
haf-and half law District residents
are now assessed and taxed up to the
limit of local taxation, which. they
say, cannot equitably be exceeded.
The committee declares that the
present assessment valuation of pri-
vately owned real estate in Washing
ton is fair and reasona bie": the pay
ment of taxes on real estate from the
assessments as they are now consti-
tut ed is fair and reasonable response
in such taxation for municipal bene-
fits received by the citizens of the
District; the annual tax in Wasn-
ington is approximately si6 per cap
ita In the judgment of your COM
ruittee this is a reasonable tax levy
at this time, especially when we con-
slider as we must, that large pro-
portion of the population here pays
bu, small amount of the taxes i'm
posed.
In these words the committee Wig
orousiy Endorses the half-and half
law as absolutely fair to the nation
in exacting from the District every
cent of tax money land perhaps
little more} that could eauitabfy be
demanded in conformity with the wise
standard of measurement and OF in
tercity comparisons approved by the
committee.
Nation Pays Too Little.
The committee declares that under
tonian does not pay too little. 1t also
sffsrms that under this law the nation
does not pay enough Running
through the report is the suggestion
that the national expenditure upon the
nations city should be largely in
creased and not. demanded by the
last House, be radically decreased or
entirely eliminated.
The committees words on this point
are as follows:
AN of this means that the national
city. the nations home, should be
district where the national authority
is not only supreme, but a district
where the just pride of a great peo-
pie should insist upon its maintenance
in a manner most fitting to the dignity
of the citizens whose manifestation of
central government it is.
LAS conclusion, which should be
of the greatest weight, we urge upon
Congress that its appropriations for
the expenses of the District of Colum-
bia should always be in such sum as
will not only continue the city of
Washington and the District of CO.
lumbia In every respect as the splen
did and beautiful central residence of
this great nation, but also cause it to
become and be forever maintained as
a model for all the cities of the world
Our unanimous conclusion
that the Congress should pursue a
definite policy of regular and liberal
appropriations, having in view not
only the permanent moral and physi-
cal advancement of the city, but also
as the municipal expression of the
nations home and its peoples pride"
No F1uctuating Contribution.
The joint committee. in finding that
#cu arbitrary haff-a nd half pr0yis 5op