The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-12-23
C|T|zENSOPEN
FIGHT ON NEW
I DC. TAX BILL
Fear That Plan to Make Dis
trict Self Sustaining Will
Be Effected.

The Federation Of Citizens Associa-
ton has opened fire upon the new
District tax bill recently passed by
the Senate.
The measure is being denounced as
a danger to the development OF the
District, in representations which
have been made to members OF the
Senate and House District commit
tees.
Huge petitions containing the
names of thousands Of taxpayers or
Washington will pour into Congress
in the near future, and the opposi-
ton will center in the hearing to be
granted upon the measure by the
House District Committee.
The campaign is also being con-
Quoted in the Senate, and friends OF
the District in the upper chamber
have been impressed with the argu-
ment that the tendency upon the part
Of Congress, under the provisions OF
the new measure, will be to make the
District practically pay it own way"
and not to make large grants OF
Federal funds to aid in the develop
ment Of Washington as the Capital
City.
Congressman Madden, chairman Of
the House Appropriations committee,
is understood to be in favor of plac-
ing the District of Columbia on a self
sustaining basis. He has not publicly
taken such a drastic posItron, but re-
ports are current that he thinks that
Washington is now large enough
and rich enough to take care of it.
self" He points to the great increase
in population in the past few years
IN the city, to the great increase Of
wealth here, as shown by tax returns
and to the large profits which have
made by local business interests. Con-
gresham Ben Johnson, former chair
man of the House District committee,
is alleged to be ready to take the fiat
provision that the time has now ar
rived when Congress can cut loose
from the payment Of any Federal
moneys for the strictly municipal ex-
penses of the city.
One fear expressed by the spokes-
man of the Federation Of Citizens
Association is that the S1.75 tax rate
set by the Senate will be greatly in
creased in the consideration of the
measure by the House.
Suppose the House decides that
a $3.50 tangible tax rate for the city
Is fair and reasonable" said one of
these spokesman today. THE bill
will then go to Congress and prob
AMY tns senate Will be forced to
compromise on the basis Of 81
rate. This may seem far-fetched.
but 1t is enc Of the factors which
must be taken into consideration"
Representations already have been
made to the Senate and House Dis
trict Appropriations subcommittee
with regard to the Borland amend
ment providing for the payment Of
taxes to pay for street improvements
by the abutting property owners.
This amendment has cost the sub
urban citizens Of Washington $500. 900
In the past year." said this spokesman
OF the federation. 1T is an unfair
handicap against the suburbs. When
the main part of the city was de-
veloped, 1t was not subjected to such
tax. / think the matter could be
compromised by providing that the
abutting property owners should bear
the entire cost Of maintenance. upkeep,
and repair Of street improvements, but
not the original cost Of making them"
All signs point to a long and bitter
consideration Of District tax matters
In Congress early in the new year.
There Is no doubt that a protracted
fight will be made to prevent the enact
ment of the new tax bill into law.