Evening star., 1922-03-08
The Conference Period,

As the District appropriation bill
proceeds to the conference stage be-
tween the House and Senate for final
composition of the differences between
the two bodies, the District may be in
dulged in the hope that the spirit
which impelled the Senate to recog-
milton of necessity Of increases in ap-
preparations for certain local needs of
especial merit may animate the con-
ferees. Those increases were by no
means unreasonable or in amounts
that should disturb the equanimity of
the most pronounced economist. In
fact, they would make for economy,
long run.
1t has been pointed out heretofore
that the appropriations were "cut to
the bone" first by the bureau of the
budget and then by the House, and
that where the Senate made partial
restoration-for it did not meet the
original estimates for the Districts
needs-the action was taken in behalf
OF the ultimate general welfare.
The conferees when they come to
settle the differences , between the
House and Senate will find the largest
single item of Senate increase to be
the provision for adequate water serv-
ice-s1, 100000 of immediate appropria-
tion and authorization of contracts for
$1,40O.000 more. There can be no pos
cih Fov
conferees to accept that. in the light
of all the official data and reports SUBJ
mitted showing the desperate condi-
ton confronting the water supply.
The increase of $416,150 for improve
ment of streets and roadways is war
ranted by evidence visible to the eyes
Of every senator and representative,
the neglected, wretched and dangerous
condition of miles of streets and road
ways. The increase Of s616.1s0 for
schools is not a penny too much, as
the reports Of the officials show.
The legislative issues coming before
the conferees are of vital Importance.
1. The House PROPOSES the 6O-4O
ratio Of definite proportionate contri-
button. The Senate proposes indefinite
and fluctuating contribution, and no
ratio at all.
2. The Senate proposes s1.75 tax
rate on realty and tangible personally,
an increase from $3.50 of the organic
act, the present substantive law. The
House proposes a sliding scale of tax
rates to raise the Districts share Of
the cost Of capital upbuilding under
the definite proportionate contribution
system.
8. The Senate raises the issue Of
equitable expenditure Of the Districts
accumulated tax surplus.
4. The Senate proposes $4,000 ex-
emption from taxation Of improve
ments on real estate.
5. The House proposes legislation to
apply only to the appropriations Of
the pending bill and to the fiscal year
for which the appropriations are
made. The Senate proposes legisla-
ton to become the permanent sub
stantive law of the District.
8. The House proposes to change
the ratio of contributions for payment
Of interest and sinking fund Of the
funded debt from $3.50 to 60-40. The
Senate .adheres to the $3.50 ratio in
application to this particular obliga-
tion of the United States, which has
been judicially construed and hereto
fore unvaryingly and consistently
treated as the contractual obligation
of half -promisor.
II this American community's opin-
ion were sought on American princi-
pies concerning these issues Of local
taxation the verdict would undoubt-
edly be in favor of the principle of
definite proportionate contribution.
and Of sliding tax rate scale to meet
the definite amount exacted from the
District; in favor of equitable use Of
the accumulated tax surplus to meet
the Districts definite share of the ex
pense of capital upbuilding; and in
favor of adherence by Uncle Sam to
his pledge as half.promisor Of pay
ment of the 1865 bonds. which consti-
tute the funded debt.