Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-06-11

This method of repeal is the kind
repeatedly advocated by those who
have believed that the half-and- half
law is unfair and injurious to the
nation. pampering under-taxed or un.
the expense Of the people of the
United States. 1t has been steadfastly
resisted by those who have believed
that the law is fair to the nation:
that under it the local taxpayers have
equity demands; and that If either
party falls short in meeting its capi-
tai obligation 1t Is the nation and
not the people OF Washinston: The
sional fiscal committee demonstrated
that the half-and- half law is fair to
the nation and Injuries no one; and
the committee so reported In its ind
ings.
The Senate, by an overwhelming
vote, has repeatedly rejected this I'M
Just and obnoxious method of alter
ing the Districts fundamental law.
even when the fairness Of this law
was at issue and in doubt. Can the
Senate be expected to do otherwise
than to continue to reject this method
of repeal now that the law itself has
been demonstrated and is conceded to
be fair to the nation and injurious to
no one?
This repeating rider says. in effect,
that the nation may contribute as
little a. 1t pleases to capital upbuild-
ing, but that it must not contribute
A. much as one-half of capital ex-
penses. How can any one who favors
doing away with the half-and-haif
law In order that the nation may not
be restricted even to one-half con-
tribution for capital development vote
for this particular method OF repeal
which voices the old undeserved pref
udices and hostility Of the uniformed
toward the alleged mendicants Of the
District?
II the evidence had shown and the
congressional joint committee had re-
ported that the half-and-half law was
grossly unfair to the nation and
that the District resident was under
assessed and undertaxed and shirk-
repeal Of the ha1f-and-half law would
appropriately be accomplished in the
manner proposed. But the use of the
method of repeal Is unnatural and
unjust, now that the organic act has
been demonstrated to be fair to the
nation and the District resident
proves Enthusiastically to be adequate
ly taxed.
Not Approved by Joint Committee.
The findings of the joint congress
sional fiscal committee in effect pro-
hibit this method of repeal. though
cited as approving 1t.
The gist of the report Of the fiscal
committee Is: The District is not
underassessed or undertaxed, but lie
meeting fairly and fully its capital
obligation. The half-and-half law ia
fair to the nation. 1t has been, but
is no longer a necessity. In view of
the changes in conditions since 1878
the Districts financial system should
be So altered by appropriate legisla-
ton that under the new system Dis
trict taxation shall no longer be on
the lf-and-half basis. but shall be
by law "nxed and certain" involving
no greater exaction from the people Of
the District of Columbia than "a tax
comparable in assessment, rate and
amount to that paid by residents of
other cities similar in population and
location to the city of Washington. I"
and in addition Congress, under the
new system, shall pursue "a deanite
policy of regular and liberal appro-
priations" for the upbuilding Of the
capital.
Joint Committee and Organic Act.
The committee doea mt And tho<