The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-12-22
The Senate Bill On
District Finances
BY BILL PRICE.


fiscal relations of the District did in spirit of fair
ness to Washington. 1t no doubt hoped that by
wpng out the old $3.50 law would end the intermin
able wrange between the two bodies of Congress
the contributions of the Federal and District govern
ments for the upkeep of the NATIONS CAPITAL
1t is unquestonably the purpose of large majority
of the United States Senate to attempt to have the Fed
eral Government contribute than half Of the ap
preparations for the maintenance of the Capital of the
United States in beftting the nation if the
fiscal situation at any time is such to call for such
lberaity.
There isn't a United States Senator who doem t fully
understand that the taxpayers Of the District should
not be compelled to maintain Washington the most
beautiful capital of the world They realize that this is
the duty of the Government All these Senators wish
desire is that the people here pay fair rate Of taxa
tion-a rate in proportion to other large cities where
tax collections honestly expended and do not go
toward enriching political bosses and their henchmen
The bulk of those members of the House who have
been in Washington long enough to comprehend the
duty of the nation to its Capital strongly feel that
the Federal Government should at all times be fair
Gberal-n contributing its proportion of the large
necessary to make Washington what it should be.
The House, however changes its membership every
few years, and members often impressed with
who have long led the opposition in that branch of
Congress to any legislation that is just to Washington
people The one string to their fiddle is "taxdodg-
ing and the one aim is to continue to raise the tax
rate here, regardless of effects.
The Senate may be right in its belief that the bill it
has passed will to end the fued between the Sen
and House District finances but there is doubt
about this. Although local taxes have been increased
to point where the District raises 60 per cent of the
expenses of the Districts upkeep to the Federal Gov
emment 40 per cent this may not satisfy those House
members who seem utterly in apable Of thinking and
dealing generously with the District and whose infu
ence over members, not thoroughly familiar with
the local situation, is at times considerable An annual
fight District appropriations is almost to fol-
low, matter how much the Senate may yield to rad
cal demands.
Acceptance by the House of the Senate bill may not
be from the same motives in the Senate
The half-and-half law, for which Washingtonians
have fought, was to large extent myth, so far as
actual application by Congress concerned. 1t
honored in the breach than in the observance
shown by the fact that there accumulated in the United
States Treasury of more than 81 100000 really
belonging to the District under the organic act.
1t is still strongly contended that the participation Of
Federal and National governments in the upkeep of the
District should be definite. The fight that ques-
ton may cease hut how much fighting must there be in
the future the tax rate local people must bear'
No matter how square the Senate expects to be in
fixing this rate it will find itself every year up against
an element that seeks to increase this rate that Wash
ngton people may be compelled to bear the burden Of
the obligation of beautiful Washington.
If Washington people are to have an opportunity to
go forward with plans for steady Improvement and dc
velopmen of this city, then they should be given some
idea of what is expected of them for longer period
than one year at time IF the Senate to insist
upon tax rate of $75 for three or four years, that
would enable Waslncto, where they
stand and to plan for the futI g. see it, fair
and definite tax rate is the Important question