The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-11-23
By BILL PRICE.

By BILL PRICE.
The question bond issue Of $20000000 to make vitality
needed improvements which Congress should have authorized
the last five six still being agtated by
of our District Commissioners.
Another Commissioner possibly the entire board has been
reported favong in theory least the proposition to be
advanced in Congress by Congressman Cramton of annual
umpsum contribution toward the upkeep of the municipality
Mr. Cramon has fixed the amount he believes right and
proper at only 100000.
bond issue would receive the approval of the people of
the District which, another year. will have wiped
old bonded debt but for general dust OF the intention of
needs the Federal s Capital IS to- BE- maintained as
NATIONAL CITY these Congressman should have their
schemes the National Capital will become just like any other
city with unbearable inequitabe burden upon the local
taxpayers to maintain it. i
bond ISSUE in which Congress- would willingly assume
just proportion of the ndebtednesseven the small
ing-woud have little opposition in this city because would
enable put streets and schools in splendid condition
extend and water mains into portions Of the District
which without these convenences and do
many other things IT, besides the Federal Government
Stunning its share of interest payments and redemption fund
Congress would continue to make proper appropriations
carrying forward all worthy municipal projects that ord
nay appropriated for using the funds from the bond issue
solely for recuperatng from the backward steps were
forced for of money be ideal
The trouble however that what this Congress might do
influenced By on sm so~ns
and the hackwood having no intense feeling for Washington
probably undo The whole burden of the bond issue might
eventually be thrown upon local people,
ents of another was clearly exhibited in the repeal Of the
5000 fiscal relations which existed so MANY wears and
through which Washington became worlds beautiful
city and the pride Of all the people Of great nation There
followed just few years ago. the substitution Of 6o4o
arrangement To further take from the Federal Government
its just proportion Of responsibility for maintaining Washing
ton as the nations city acts passed which increased
posed tax rate that would compel the District large
Of money much Of which is appropriated and
goes back into the Federal Treasury.
further lack Of dealing under the 6040 plan
District appropriations bills provisions requiring that
tain municipal functions and activities shall be PAID
WHOLLY OUT OF DISTRICT REVENUES.
Besides the increased which the people
and Enthusiastically the whole cost in fact
for streets roadWays and sidewalks forced upon
local taxpayers Our local tax rate is often referred to in
Congress a. the lowest OF city in the United States but
not who makes that charge fair enough to point out
the special and heavy which are
paid In other cities The poor devil who small plot
Lot in remote suburban sections must the cost Of road
construction In front OF his property In the
assessed value of the properties spelling financial ruin
small property owners
Mr. Cramton scheming give District lump
sum Of about 100000 each year. Our actual municipal
needs for the next fiscal year call for $32000000 Not
dollar less than that should be authorized taxpayers
viii In taxes go per cent Of this Congress keeps
faith with the 600 law the Federal Governments part of
that total would be $12,800,000
So there is to be another iugge with the acts
and agreements of former Congress- relieve
Government of its honest share of upkeep further
increases in straight taxes and unfair special
The District Commissioners should
kind. Mr.. Cramton's 100000 game goes through in
another few years there will be Congressman same type
who Will want to reduce that figure to 100000
Is admitted and figures it, that the Federal Govern
ment fully 40 cent of the property of the CITY,
no special and taxes and has absolute control
over the cty's destinies