Evening star., 1923-11-24
Wanted: Fiscal Peace.

The Commissioners, having wisely
framed a bond-issue bill safeguarded
with all the provisions and restric-
tons which are vital to the Districts
welfare, have with equal wisdom re-
Trained from taking the initiative in
presenting it.
After Congress has appropriated to
meet current and accumulated munich
pal needs the maximum amount from
current taxes and national subven-
ton, and after it has appropriated to-
ward the Districts proportionate con-
tributicn all or part or none of the
Districts Treasury surplus, if Con-
gress then finds still unmet millions
of accumulated municipal needs and is
willing that the District shall borrow
through 4 bond issue on the so 40 basis
of payment the money to meet this re.
IUainder of municipal needs. the Com
nfssioners will be prepared with "a
carefully considered hond-issue bill to
submit to Congress for consideration
in this connection.
1t is undesirable that the District
shall now take the initiative in propos-
ing any changes of the ratio or of the
taxing provisions. however burden
some, of the new organic act. That
law should be given "a trial on it's
merits and demerits. Congress and
the people of Washington are entitled
to q rest for Il time from controversy
over fiscal legislation, as promised
when the new law was enacted.
Washington's fiscal campaign of to-
day is divided, like all Gaul into three
parts: % To convince Congress that
the District budget estimates which
the President and the budget bureau
submit to it have been so carefully
framed as TO constitute a real budget
which can justly and safely be enact
ed into appropriative law substantially
unchanged except for. r.sequitable in
creases to which tho budget bureau
shall assent; ~ TO convince Congress
that the certificate Of the controller
general, approved by the congress
sional joint surplus committee. demon
strates COnclusivefy that a District tax
surplus of four and one-half millions
exists in the Treasury and Is available
for appropriation whenever Congress
is ready to appropriate. And after con-
vincing Congress of its power to ap-
propriate the surplus without further
substantive legislation, then to induce
Congress actually TO appropriate the
surplus on the equitable basis of def
mite proportionate contribution, the
half-and-half ratio, under the pledges
and sanctions of which this surplus tax
money was collected; and (3) to con-
vince Congress Of the justice and wis
dom of declaring by it's acts an era Of
peace in District fiscal affairs under
the operation of the new organic act
for at least five years during which
the Districts "pay-as-yougo fund,
created by that act, may be accumu-
lating; and to protect against all at
tack the definite proportionate contri-
button principle now embodied in the
60-40 ratio. That principle and that
ratio are vitally necessary to the Capi-
tails welfare, and all the factors that
fight for Washington should unite to
protect these essential features of the
new organic act against the assaults,
open OR insidious, Of the advocates
Oh the lump-sum contribution plan,
which by a surprise flank attack now
threatens to destroy that sound and
wholesome principle.
In the matter of substantive leeisla-
ton changing directly or indirectly
the 60-40 ratio, all that Washington
asks for the present is to be let alone.