The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-11-07
Proposed D. c. Bond Issue Must
Not Be A Depreciation Upon
Local Taxpayers
Bv BILL PRICE.

There is Just apprehension the part Of many thinking
people Of the District that the proposed bond issue OF
$200o0000 for taking Of pressing municipal needs w
approved by Congress be used as furtner
upon the taxpayers Of District to supply funds which
Congress denies.
If the District Commissioners do submit to Congress bill
for the issue of $20O00000 bonds the responsibility for
protecting local taxpayers will be unqueonaby upon the
Commissioners who should request its withdrawal from legs
lative routine be used to impose unfair obligations
upon taxpayers who already carrying as heavy burden
Is belongs to them
The bond issue proposed to for municipal improve
uents and development that would be necessary in the
seest degree had Congress done its plain duty by the
District in contributing 90 per cent OF money appropriated
for local purposes done period OF forwo
wears until in 1920 the 6040 ratio Of fiscal relation
agreed uuon There are members Congress are now
seeking to change ratio and impose the District
still larger proportion Of the upkeep Of the NATIONS
CAPITAL.
In the last three years. through refusal to live up to
the $3.50 law Congress deprived the District Of $12000Oo
il was equitaby entitled The suggestion to supply this
deficiency by bond still regarded in many quarters
opening for Congress to make further raid local
taxpayers.
The fundamental question that will confront Washington
municipal officials citizens is: VIII Congress agree
appropriate Federal Governments part of bond issue
Of $200O00O0, 6o40 basis win kindly leave
Neutrality-suspicious. the burden Of bearing the interest and
refunding charges upon such an issue?
The most important question is Who viii spend
money bond issue-the District government which
understands what need most Congress? There is
ground for grave doubt whether the District government
would any control the bondsue funds
money collected from local taxes
Congress alone collects and appropriates them
refuses appropriate them it fit Our citizens may
think that money from bond issue win be used for schools
streets and extensions but Congress may
not think best it. In fact it may be used simply
an excuse by Congress NOT TO APPROPRIATE any
further funds for these purposes In this way the District
Of Columbia may pay twconce out Of the money raised
by the bonds Congress its judgment permits
used secondly by the failure Of Congress appropriate
for these purposes and the expenditure of the taxpayers
And while Congress solemnly to se these
for this matter Of legislative discretion in which
Congress cannot bind a subsequent Congress.
ter of one Congress refusing to live up to what another
Congress has provided shall be DONE $3.50
Although the appropriation bill for the present fiscal year
based upon basis many appropriations
made payable wholly from District funds the Federal
Government Sinking the payment Of its just proportion
An able Westinghouse sends letter to this writer de-
caring that bond issue should be saddled
Washington people until taxpayers an oppor-
tunity to vote upon the question in some manner to be
decided upon he writes:
Are the citizens Of this District wiling to have first STtgags
over to spend for h@ cne
Congress sympathetic District needs
There should issue by the Citizens before
This newspaper believes that bond issue should be last
resort to supply funds for public improvements here It
thinks that bond issue is bad thing if the people Of
the District be fully protected against unfair treatment
by Congress to expenditure Of the money. We want to
this city forward Congress will be liberal toward
the District in future annual appropriation bills and permit
funds from the bond issue be used wholly catch
with urgent needs then should approve. If Congress
Is going make Of bondssue funds escape
responsibilities then there viii be approval nothing but
Indignation.
issue would be all right in any city the country
where the people themselves in position direct through
their chosen representatives how the money should
pended. We in such position We don't furnish
single vote that sends anybody Congress Congress
may treat fairly while the next might every
obligation and promise of the preceding one.