Evening star., 1922-07-06

-
with the joint congressional cem-
mtttee In having the question Rdjudi-
Gated .in calm and thoughtful,
busineAs-like way, unrufi1ed by par
tisan biekerinG.= -.
In order to assist the committee
In avoiding any appearance of hav-
ing granted a hearing, Mr.. Coiladay
sent his letter to Chairman Phipps.
asking that the citizens joint oom-
mittee might be allowed to file a
brief. and be allowed to have an
auditor representing them observe
the work OF auditors for the congress
sional committee.
There is strong probability that the
investigating committee Will allow
the brief to be filed. and will with
hold Its decision until later re-
garding an auditprial Vise--carrying
out its purpose to avoid contro-
verey.
In his letter to, Chairman Phipps
Mr.. Colladay said:
"Referfing to my conference with
you yesterday and your expressed de-
sire to limit the work of your COM
mittee at its session today to a con-
ference with the Comm is sSioners of
the District of Columbia and the off,
c!al representatives, of the Treasury
Department and the Department of
Justice. leaving conference with the
representatives of citizens and tax
payers organizations to a later date.
I have the honor to request that this
joint congressional committee. in ses-
eion today. as an entry OF appear
ance. of the citizens joint committee.
and that leave be granted our COM
mitlee as follows:
IL. Leave to file brief.
80 10 ma rh-
serve the work of the auditors and
accountants in the service of your
committee"
Omciai Representatives.
The Commissioners will ask to have
an officer of the District government
represent them during the investisa-
tion into the surplus revenues Of the
city. it was learned at the District
building today. The request probably
will be made when the city heads 60
to the Capitol this afternoon to con-
fer with the members of the joint
committee.
1t is understood that Mai. Daniel j.
Donovan, District auditor, is the man
the city fathers have in mind as best
qualified to represent the municipality.
The District Commissioners do not
believe there is any question OF the
legitimacy of the city's claim to about
s4.650,00e of surplus revenues. which
have accumulated chiefly because dur
irg the war period District appropria-
tion bills were not made large enough
to use up all Of the tax money col
lected by the local goEernment.
= Comm; missioner -Rudolpls--said today
that. as he views the situation. the
task of the tnvestiga ting committee
should resolve itself into one Of de-
whether the federal goy-
ernment has any claims against the
surplus.
The outcome OF the probe will have
far-reaching effect on the tax bur-
den of the property owners of WASH
ington.
Raising Of SurpIuA.
Congress. in the appropriation act
for this fiscal year. has decreed that
the city government shall raise with
in Ave years a, surplus suff1oient to
put the government on a pay-as-you-
so basis by 1927.
Auditor Donovan has determined
that to carry out this direction of
Congress the city must raise $5,090,-
900. at the rate Of 100000 a year.
II, es a result of this inquiry. Con-
sre.s should recognize the District's
claim to. the more than four million
Of surplus funds now in the Treasury.
the necessity for raising a new sur
plus OF s3,0o0,000 within Ave years
would be removed. This in turn,
would reduce by that amount the
city's tax burden.
In discussing the proposal to ask
the joint committee to allow the
representation during
the investigation. one OF the COM
missioners pointed out that the fed.
eral government Is to be represented
by an officer OF the Department Of
Justice.