The Washington times., 1919-06-27
NEW FIGHT ON
$3.50 PLAN
UPSETS D. c.
Row Will Disrupt Municipal A.
fairs as Appropriation May
Not Pass by July /.
BY BILL PRICE.

senate and House over District ap-
Preparations promises to again badly
eislocste and upset municipal affairs,
tnasmUch as the appropriation bill
is not likely to be ready for Zscal
purposes July l and Congress will
have to resort to the same old scheme
Of making appropriations in the last
bill available until a new one is
passed.
Interesting about this annual tight
is that Congress has not for many
Years passed a single District appro-
-priation bill with the half-and-half
principle of the organic law of the
District recognised or followed. This
law has been consistently violated by
both bodies and the burden of fur
hishing practically two-thirds Of the
funds for municipal expenses levied
Upon taxpayers of the city.
The Senate position, though, is the
broad one, that until a definite plan Of
Federal and District contributions TO
municipal operation is agreed up 1t is
Svisest not to repeal the organic act,
which the House has long struggled
TO do. With that act repealed the
burdens imposed upon District tax
payers would be increased yearly and
the Federal Government gradually re-
iieVed Of furnishing anything like
fair share Of the money necessary
10 make IllE a ELDLLe<l1 M L AZ
2 city Of international beauty and
ettractiveneSs.
The rural Congressman. having no
knowledge Of city needs, would be
able to make splendid political capital
for himself back in his neck OF woods
by consistently voting to saddle upon
District people practically the whole
upkeep Of q city that belongs to the
NATION, and not to the people Of that
CITY.
VaIue of United States Property.
Upon. request Of members OF Con-
Hress there were recently placed be-
fory Congressional committeesthe
latest figures of the assessed values
~ real and personal properties In the
bistrirk, and carefully estimated ng-
i,~es 81 the value Of property Of the
United States. upon which taIesc are
: Thess figures show that the total
~ziue Of real estate in the District
kpou which taxes were collected this
tear was $f14,61o,6s1. The value OF
lands and improvements owned by the
tJpftsd States within the District is
blaced at SPAS. 500. 900, about one-thtrd
n the total. II the Government paid
taxps on its property, therefore, its
hortion would be one-third on real
lrtate alone, and it would have to
ssy many thousands Of dollars add
fional in special taxes that are I'm
possd upon the people from which II
Is also exempt, bringing Cts cotntribu-
tions by fair rules to almost % per
hent or half that Of the people.
The District government, in addi-
tfon. owns $4,000, 900 Of untaxable
property, with another S24,sOO.OOO OF
religious educational, charitable, ana
foreign legation properties that pay
no taxes.
Add this total to that Of untaxable
Government property, and the total
value IN the city is substantially 40
per cen Of the whole.
There are about $3.50, 600. 900 OF per-
sonaI, intangible property upon which
the peolpe here also pay. The Gov
ernment's holdings OF taxable per
eoual property have never been esti-
mated. z,n,... -
the special assessments that go far
toward raising the tax rate upon Dis
trict people above that of nearly al
cities Of the country. When water
ar sewer pipes are laid here the prop
oTty holders pay 1928 per front foot
for each foot
When wide and beautiful streets are
extended or widened the cost is as
.essed against adjoining property
owners, On sidewalks property own
ers are heavily assessed.
When anything is done along these
lines through Government reserva- |
lions or properties the Government
DOES NOT PAY ANY THING. 1t is |
exempt from all SPECIAL TAXES and
ASSESSMENTS.
Water Uses An illustration
The water department OF the Dis
frict is maintained entirely by the |
peopIe Of the District Yet Uncle Sam |
has for years been subject TO no |
charge for millions OF gallons or
water used in executive departments |
md bureaus, much OF il wasted. The |
daily waste OF water by two Govern
-nent establishments alone is reck-
oned at 100000 gallons.
When the activities OF war started /
{ rVo years ago and the Government |
established camps and erected new /
buildings in the District, water mains /
costing hundreds OF thousands OF dol !
lars were laid without the United |
states paying assessments as citizens
must do. The water cost the Govern
Inent nothing while the citizen must
nay for all he uses.
So IL is possible 10 reckon the Gov
rrnment's share Of appropriations for
the District by its ownership OF real
estate and improvements.
Then comes the question OF whether
the wide strets and beautiful trees
and parks designed TO make this
FEDERAL CITY are TO be kept up by
taxes upon citizens or is the Federal
Government TO be liberal in its share?
From the standpoint OF residence
lone the wide streets, well paved and
kept neatly clean. would not be nee
rssaTy.
The SenAte's comprehension OF the
local situation is more thorough than
Shat Of the House because Senators
remain here longer; are familiar with
needs of cities; want Washington 10
be the only city Of the kind in the
world, and do not wish to require
the private citizen to pay the bulk
az the taxes to do thiA |