The Washington times., 1924-06-07
An Impressive Warning to
Washington People OF
Higher Tax Rates
By BILL PRICE.

By BILL PRICE.
The outcome Congressional struggle the fiscal
relations that should exist between the Federal and District
for upkeep the National Capital ought to
give impressive warning to the people of this city that they
get together in solid Organization protect themselves
against the imposition of unjust in the future
The Senate under the fair and leadership of Senator
PHPPS Of Colorado made the best possible with
House as to the lump sum contribution by the Federal
Government for the next fiscal year. The House leaders had
the advantage of position and again outanoeuvered the
Senate The people Of this city debt gratitude to
Senator Ppps and the other Senate conrees The people
Of the nation who love and admire their Capital City
him for gallant fight to prevent the cutting of
ucneeded appropriations for the maintenance of Wash
tngton a national institution.
On its face this fight in Congress primarily to force
heavier taxes upon the citizens Of Washington The House
has been successful in bringing this about But the
coere Of House leaders will not be satisfied with their work
at this session. They will continue the fight in the future
Once year their clear policy will be impose still higher
taxes and to reduce the Federal Governments financial par
Gcpaton for municipal progress and Improvement Just
where 1t will end no one can foresee
Their program will not be based upon known facts and
figures. There will be nothing in it that gives patriotic
sderation to national aspects such the building Of
that in keeping with the greatness Of the nation will
matter little to this bunch Of what Washngtons future
Is to be- Their sole aim is to relieve the Federal Government
of contributing just share Of money and saddle virtually
only for this viii be somehnr to boast about IN
their Congressional districts They will tell their constituents
what they please about tax lodging and the will
be unable to hear the other side Of the question It's cheap
method Of winning popular favor With of these
this single thing constitutes virtually the only record they
have made at this session Of Congress
Not single House member who has supported this Cramon
amendment backed in his position by official or fair in
vegaon Of tax rates here and elsewhere. Some of them
know that in Podunk county, Mn for instance the tax rate
Is 1926 per $780, while here it is $12O for this fiscal year
only Others know that in PHILADELPHIA possibly the tar
Is $780, compared with the low here But none of
them know why the in certain places is high
1t immateri to them whether the high rates are the
Of political graft and squanderng of county city funds
through the throwing of juicy contracts township
bosses and political leaders is immaeria whether there
has been bad management in addition graft improper
handling of county city funds.
It immaerial to them whether the counties cities they
h0vn On mind
which the taxpayers must pay good part Of their money
1t is mmateria to them whether the property in these
here in Washington all property assessed at FULL VALUE
which should materially reduce the tax rate.
the assessment of property in Podunk county Mimi is
30 per cent its real value and tax rate is $25 per oO
the tax rate would be just about half that property
ments at full value
There hundreds angles to thing of comnarnr
rates throughout the country The House attempted no
investigation to what the COMPARISONS might be after
bringing out Of the actual facts The attitude is wholly
arbitrary, from beginning to end
In the District of Columbia there political graft no
longer bonded debt which to pay interest Our CITY
government has been honestly administered people of
Washington entitled to reasonable upon full
We special here that are not paid
elsewhere certainly not in rural counties throughout the
country We orciby realize however that there Is
nasty fight and that going get the worst Of
we do not make full preparations for the future Our sal
walton and defense should not rest in the hands Of Joint
committee committees largely seconsuted There should
be citizens committee composed of representatives from
organized element of citizenship and that committee literally
supplied with funds subscribed by the public should AT ONCE
BEGIN getting together every possible that can be used to
prevent the saddng of further burdens upon our people
1t will take months for citizens committee to get verified
taxation facts from cities and counties every State in the
Union and at the same time get data concerning the Federal
properly holdings Washington together with the exemption
OF Federal departments and bureaus from various forms of
taxation and assessment that levied upon local people
The Federal Government in its city is certainly not
entitled to it's share of fair taxation indirectly paid
OF course should not impose upon unrepresented citizens
OF this Capital burdens it is unwilling to accept itself Bv
reason of its complete control Of this Federal Jurisdiction and
OF patriotic desire to make this World CITY it shoud do
manifest purpose