Evening star., 1920-12-24
PLEAFOR5p5OPLAN
BY.M|SS BOARDMAN
Presents ForcefuI Reasons to
House Subcommittee tor
Its Restoration.

A strong appeal for restoration of
the half f-and-half plan Of appropriat-
Ing for the National Capital was made
by Commissioner Mabel T. Boardman
before the District subcommittee OF
the House appropriations committee.
Washington's first woman executive
Inittee to show that it is the duty Of
the federal government to bear an
equal share Of the exnensAs of the
federal capital Her statement to the
subcommittee follows:
Cpngrees should iexercise excausiye
iexislnffpn' over SUCH diAtYt0t as be-
csme the seat OF government Of the
ISnateA st.tss yAich s9tsirast = Al y
United states Included within the
present limits Of the District Of Co
.rhe provision that Congress should
exercise exclusive legislation over the
States. l believe to be very wise
one. The people OF the United States
desire that their National Capital
should be maintained at the highest
standards, not only In matters per-
tanning here to, the federal depart
Of the city, but in all Of the functions
Of it's city government.
/ Many Get S1Gall Salartes.
"a large portion Of the residents Of
the city are employees Of the United
States legislative. executive and ju-
and are people living on small sala-
ries. From 20 to Is per cent of the
population are co1ored people OF lin
ited means, 50 that Congress has
rightly judged it would not be possi-
BILE to maintain the desired standards
PNS hA No a al hv <o~
alton only.
1.-THE statement that many people Of
large wealth have come to Washing
ton because Of the low tax rate. be-
lieve IL, as Mark Twain said Of the
report Of his death. greatly exag-
gerated.' Washington needs wealth
to maintain'its many charities, as well
as to encourage education, science.
literature. music and art in the capital
OF the country and the many national
the entire country.
EatitleA to Service.
Furthermore. Congress has rightly
Judged that members Of Congress, the
executive officers and employees Of all
departments, including Army and
Navy officers here to perform their
Official duties, are entitled to all mu-
nicipal service, including schools, the
1uOltC l/iOTaFys use Oh Inc CITY SCreetS,
Fairgrounds and parks. police. fire
and health protection, etc. I may say,
incidentally, that once Congress,
when mobbed by mutinous soldiers.
was driven from Philadelphia for lack
of proper police protection. which it
city because Of inadequate health pro-
lection during outbreaks of yellow
fever.
"As the District Of Columbia en-
braces S.Eely governmectal, not
a business en-, aI0 for this fec-on
is an exception to the national capt.
! tails Of all other important countries,
J the first obligation for its mainte-
nance is an obligation Of the United
States and toward that obligation 1
| should appropriate one-haif from fed
| eral funds and the remaining half
| from the taxes of the citizens. The
great majority of these citizens are
here either in government employ or
| to serve the necessary needs OF the
sonable. but not a high or excessive
municipal tax. All federal taxes, in
cluding the income tax, are paid by
the citizens Of the District. at the
American cities. but over the rate
| Of taxation and the expenditure of
| all moneys collected by them by the
government Congress- in which the
cft1ZcnS Oh tno OiStrict are not rep
resented, has exclusive Legislation.
Thinks q. $. Should Pay Half.
Personally. believe this exclusive
legislation should remain in Con-
gress, but because this is the National
Capital. because Of the high standards
at which it should be maintained, be-
| cause Of the use of it's municipal
service by the national government
because Of the fact that there is no
great business wealth in the Capital
city, because of the large number of
it's people on small salaries and be-
cause of taxes without representation.
I believe that in Justice both to the
United States and the people Of WASH
| ington the federal government should
pay half of the necessary municfpaI
expenditures, which Congress has the
/, absolute power to regulate, and the
citizens of the District the remaining
half"