The Washington times., 1921-11-21
Mr.. BlantOn, and Upkeep
Of the Federal Capital
BY BILL PRICE.

BY BILL Pk1O6.
We do not think Congressman BLANTON can do
much harm to the District when he tells his colleagues
in the House of the Outrage" in the Federal Gov
eminent having pay 40 per cent Of the cost Of
struction of school buildings and the upkeep OF
public schools. His arguments might however, I'M
press of the new members OF that body who are
not thoroughly familiar with the fiscal relations be-
tween the District and Federal Governments.
For their benefit it may be stated that the 6O-40
plan of appropriations for the District government was
adopted by Congress compromise between the
Senate and House, the former being strongly Of the
opinion that the Federal Government should contribute
ONE-HALF of the expenses instead of the small end
of 6O4O proposition. The Senate did not wish to be
unfair to the people Of the District and, above ALL de-
sired to the Nation Capital maintained basis
that would keep it the most beautiful capital in the
world.
The attempt has repeatedly been made to get the two
houses together plan that would remove inequtes
and simplify the fiscal relations
Mr. Blanton, without the least regard to fairness,
undertakes to make other Congressman believe that the
Federal Government is imposed upon because it
tributes 40 per cent to the schools Of the District these
being as he thinks, wholly local in character. For
those who might regard this inequity, Mr. Blan
ton could have pointed out that the majority of children
in public schools are sons and daughters of workers
for the Government of the United States and that the
children of many Senators and Congressman edu-
Gated in these schools.
If he had wanted to show some inequites the
other side of the slate however, he might have men
toned in his speech
1. That the people of the District pay for the up
keep of the whole water system of the Federal Capt.
ta the United States not contributing NICKEL for
that purpose They not only maintain the aqueduct
entering the city, but through water taxes keep the
system self supporting.
OF daily use of something like 65,O0O,000
gallons of water the departments and bureaus of
the Federal Government and the Capitol use from
100000 to 100000 gallons daily and DO NOT
PAY A CENT in water taxes.
The water department of the District turns
into the Federal Treasury some surplus money
each year.
q In the paving of streets the cost is originally
paid 604O basis, but onehalf the total cost is
promptly assessed against property owners and goes
back to the District and United States. The Gov
eminent pays, therefore, very little of this.
g. In the extension of streets, avenues and roads,
local property owners pay the ENTIRE COST
Nothing is more palpably unfair than this charge
on property owners for paving of streets and
tension of thoroughfares. The Federal Govern
ment, with its vast array of vehicles for its own
business, uses these streets at all times.
4. If water mains laid to accommodate a Federal
building the Government pays nothing, but private
property assessed for the COST
There a number Of other items which paid
wholly out of local funds, of them being the play
grounds
The Federal Government is too vitality concerned
in the material and moral welfare of its own Capital
to adopt cheeseparng policy. Its contributions
should be liberal for all purposes and it should un
grudgingly enter into fair partnership with the peo
pie of the District in making Washington what it
should be made.
And despite Mr.. Banton and few others, be-
eve that the intention Of the House and Senate is to
disregard petty complaints and to treat Washington
as the real CAPITAL OF THE NATION.