Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-12-08
PLEA FOR DISTRICT
: VOTING PRIVILEGE
Representative Burroughs
Sees Double Right to Voice
in National Affairs.
D. C. TAXATION DISCUSSED
Commissioners and Others Heard at
Banquet of Association of
Oldest Inhabitants.

Since Congress acts as city council
as we'll as national legislature for the
District of Columbia, the people Of
Washington have double right to rep
iesentation in the House and Senate
Representative Sherman E. Burroughs
Of New Hampshire asserted, address.
ing the hfy-fifth anniversary dinner OF
the Association of Oldest Inhabitants
of the District of Columbia at the Eb-
LIT Hotel last night.
Representative Burroughs delivered
i stirring appeal for the enactment of
ihe resolution which he introduced in
the House providing for an amendment
t. the Constitution empowering Con-
HreSS to grant the people of the Dis
trict representation in Congress and in
the electoral college.
Plan of Meeting City's Needs.
Taking political and financial equity
for the District as his text, Theodore
w. NoyeS. president of the association,
declared the accumulated needs of the
city should be met by using the sur
plus revenues of the District rather
than by increasing the tax rate or bor-
rowing money on a bond issue.
Col. Charles W. kutz. Engineer
cut that in their estimates to Congress
the commissioners provided for the
utilization of part of the city's surplus
revenues. which now amount to more
than $t60G.uOO
Former Commissioner Henry B. F.
Mcfarland made an appeal to Congress
Tor enactment of the legislation which
would remove the limit now placed on
tie annual estimates of the Commits
Soners. authorize advances from the
Treasury to meet temporarily unusual
reeds of the city and provide against
the accumulation of surplus revenue
through the sliding tax rate
Col. kutx Talks on Schools.
After telling of the task confronted
by the Commissioners in preparing the
largest budget ever submitted to Con-
eTesS for the District Col Kutz made
this reference to the needs of the school
system, for which $1,000, 900 has been
asked. He said:
We hope Congress will recognize the
Importance of those school needs at this
session. There are three ways in which
they can be provided for: First, by
using the surplus revenues of the Dis
trict; second. by bond issue, and,
third. by raising the tax rate.
THE Commissioners, in their esti-
mates, recommended the first of these
methods In other words. they opposed
an increase in the tax rate. feeling that
the cost of these permanent improve
Inents should be spread over q period of
years. either of the past, by utilizing
the city's surplus. or of the future, If
they Will not follow the first course
The Engineer Commissioner made an
appeal TO the members for their CO.
operation and counsel in District af-
fairs.
"NOfabie Half Century" Topic.
President Moves referred briefly to the
notable half century through which the
association has passed. He summarized
the various reasons why the residents
of the District should be given a voice
in the federal government and said:
NO oldest inhabtant is so old as not
to respond to .Washingtons political
equity slogan, Since we are good
enough Americans to pay national taxes,
obey national laws and go to war in the
americans to take part in the goverm-.
ment which levies our taxes, makes our
laws and sends us to war"
In urging Congress to permit the
District TO use it's accumulated sur
plus in meeting permanent improve
ments that must be provided for i'm
mediateIy, Mr.. Noyes said:
To-day a distinct and most i'm
portant issue of financial equity turns
upon the answer to be given by Con-
gress to the question: How will Con-
eress meet the Districts accumulated
municipal needs. neglected excusably
in war time. but now amounting to
millions. which should. the war having
ended. BE- Satished?'
"Wiil Congress use for this purpose
the Districts potential nine millions
IF revenue. based upon the war time
unexpended SURPRISES of local tax