The Washington times., 1922-04-29
C'ucifying People of the
National CapituL
By BILL PRICE.

defense
less people of the District with outrageousy unfair
tax burdens for the next five years.
Inc entire provision as to the fiscal relations of
the Federal and District governments u.s. under all
parliamentary rules, NEW LEGISLATION, and sub
Ject to points OF order which ought to knock the
new scheme into smthereens. And even if points of
order do not accomplish this, believe there are
enough fair and just in Congress to decisively
defeat the proposition.
The blow hits the people of the District with
smashing force in view of the friendly attitude the
Senate has always taken District matters and it's
refusal to accept radical plans advanced by certain
House members for increasing the tax and other
burdens upon District people
There might be just little balm in the new i'm
positions and burdens if there could be assurance
that five years could go by without renewed schemes
intended to impose upon local taxpayers the great
bulk of the upkeep of the Capital of the Nation,
dominated and controlled in every way by the
Federal Government, and in which local citizens
have more voice than the dog eating Igorrotes of
the Philippine Islands, for those distant con-
noisseurs of dog meat dishes have the right to vote
for local officials in the islands.
But there be assurance that the fiscal re-
atiOns will remain settled during or after the five
years in which District taxpayers must pay in from
$15,0O0O00 to $20,OO0000 additional taxes that the
District may be put upon cash basis and to
call upon the Treasury of the United States for ad-
vances. Congress joyousy loaned to nearly every
European nation, including Russia, millions of money
upon which the Government is not yet getting any
interest, and may not get the principal but balks at
the thought that the Treasury should advance few
millions each year for maintenance of the National
Capital promptly repaid before the year is over.
Wise members of Congress ought to know that the
agreement reached by the conferees is not going to
satisfy certain members of the House, whose only
legislative record is that Of bounding the District at
every turn-poitca capital manufactured for
sumption in backwoods Congressional districts, where
it is popular to defame local citizens dodgers.
The Senate, historically fair to the District and
with broad visions of the further Identification Of
Washington the Capital of hundred mil
lion people, should know that the oftener it yields
to extreme demands of certain House influences for
furnishing the District, the more certain that the
demands will increase.
The huge increase in taxes imposed upon local tax
payers by the terms of the agreement will mean some
real tax lodging sure enough. Owners of real
estate will have to take their medicine, but owners
of intangible properties will find ways of avoiding
the proposed increases.
The organic act, providing 50o0 basis as between
the United States and the District meant nothing to
those who have long slurred the people of this
munty and if the agreement should be ratified by
both houses, it will mean nothing to them They will
continue their fight to make Washington people
furnish practically all the money for improvements
and upkeep of great Nations Capital City.
The garng inequites of the situation stand out
when it is remembered that Washington people are
saddled by many indirect taxes which, in other
American communities would be paid as part of a
yearly general tax. This is particularly true as to
the Borland law, which puts upon District people
oppressive special assessments to the extent of one
half the cost of paving new streets avenues and
roads The other half is paid SO per cent by the
District out of general taxes already paid by the pub
lie, and 40 per cent by the United States
These special assessments are excessively heavy
upon poor people who small pieces of land upon
which they hope to build homes. Often the assess
ments for street road improvements swamp tho
owners forcing them to part with their holdings
All this is in addition to the general taxes that are
paid in. An humble citizen, proud of his possession
of small lot upon which he piSns day to erect
little home for himself and family will hereafter
pay heavy general tax this lot at its full valua-
ton. Then day the street is paved and he is
greeted by assessment compelling him to pay one
half of the cost Of the Improvement Payment of