The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-02-28
The Districts Getting Action"
in Congress
By BILL PRICE.

The District may not be getting any useful Legislation in
Congress but has lately been responsible for and
With Senator BALL, Of the Senate District COMMITTEE
lecturing the solid czenry Of the District virtually charg
WARDMAN envening sessions Of the House subcommittee
engaged in hearings the Rent Commission suageess
community given something to think about and discuss
Senator Ball has consistent friend the District in
falling with the school Of thought Of the House, which feels
that its solemn duty to berae the vOtee people Of this
# Senator Ball is acquainted With State municipal and
county conditions throughout the country he will realize that
while the general tax rate Of Washington appears to be below
that of most States counties and municipalities taxes
whole here are pretty high
In the first place. taxes based the full value Of
90 many places.
In the place burdened many special taxes
which are unknown in the majority Of American States
counties and cities These special taxes oppresve
large and when added to the general rate make high
rate of taxation for the District
The poor man who owns small piece Of suburban prop
ey for instance must the roadway passing his property
Is improved pay unfair proportion Of the cost the
property happens have rather wide frontage the
with shallow depth the assessed against the owner
% 80 large to virtually confiscate his property Many
stances record in the District building where this as
sessment Of cost has been LARGER THAN THE ASSESSED
Such special taxes deterrent to building and home
ownership.
In the District Senator Ball. there is no discrimination in
property assessments favor Of politicians and political
bosses 1t is notorious that elsewhere in the country doubt
less in Mr. Balls State Of Delaware the CITY, town and
county politicians and bosses who control things arrange
es so that their assessments below those required by
law and thus they escape the high Of taxation
paid by the common citizen who doesn't happen
with the big and little Bosses In every State in the country
the rate of taxation is oppressive that is going
political issue The common citizen going insist that his
taxes be lowered by compelling political bosses and their
henchmen pay their Just share and to cease grating an
other of high taxes
The trouble Senator Ball. is not that District peo
pie seeking evade further taxation It is Chat
FULLY understand that in Congress there is disposition
DODGING it's duf
the Nations Capital.
IT, for example Congress should say 1--WE will pass this
automobile reciprocity bill and put personal on auto
mobiles to be used in road construction but we
will match amount derived from this personal tax with
20 per contribution toward making the streets Of the
Nations Capital the best in the world there would be little
kicking.
It is plainly apparent to citizens of Washington that the
intention is to put through this reciprocity bill with personal
TAX which viii yield large revenue for street purposes and
nSt congress Will DODGE its fair share of
that the Government uses for military and civic
every Gay OF the and roads that members Of
keep in shape. ''''f
Washington Senator is beloved by all Americans Thew
Troop here in hundreds Of thousands every year. BECAUSE
THIS Is THEIR CAPITAL they want It worthy Of the
es lodges its fair share of upkeep and continues to pile the
burden upon local people every dollar Of general and
90 cents of Uncle Sans money Washington will continue
70 Dc source OF national pride and regard.
HARRY WARDMAN, no matter what his position on az
PENSION Of the life of the Commission is noted fionre
49,; Oh washington There are others here like
nervy forceful men, who love this city
ana nave taken long chances in construction when the
kased and cautious held back They had and still have
tatn IN this National City, despite narrowmndedness some
~ SHOWN IN Congress- and they have constructed millions
OF dollars worth of buildings under difficulties that would
wa%p ordinary men, Since the outbreak Of the war and
tne big rise prices the banks and building and loan a.
sOcaons have been unwilling to make building loans ap
prCacnng anything like the cost Of construction Wardan
and s type Of Washington husters gone ahead
.EoRpmg. But for them RENTS IN WASHINGTON WOULD
IUDAx BE MANY TIMES HIGHER THAN AT PRESENT |
=. washington Last year stood SEVENTH among American
Cass IN money put into buildings There will be mo let
UP S4 year and in another housing problems
WI 90 soved on the basis Of supply and demand Until tha
time arrives the tenants Of Washington demand protection
ana Congress appears inclined to give it,
We Need More pnon1o