Evening star., 1924-01-11
An Inspiring Message.

The message to Washington, de-
Avered last night at an overflowing
meeting of the Beard of Trade by
Chairman Bah of the Senate District
committee and by Chairman Phipls
of the District subcommittee of the
Henate appropriations committee was
full of encouragem and inspiration
and is heartily appreciated by the
Capital community
Both senator's have q high ideal of
The future Capital, the Greater and
Better Washington. the City Beau
tiful, the City Healthful, the City In
tellectual, the City Spiritual, and both
senators work enthusiastically and
effectively to convert into reality their
ideal.
Both senators by intimate associa-
tion with District legislation and Dis
trict appropriations know what mu-
uicipal needs such as schools. streets,
water supply, ETC., are most urgent
and which have suffered most and in
what proportions from wartime neg
lect.
Both senators appreciate the natural
sensitiveness and irritation of large
body Of public-spirited, patriotic Amer
leans who are taxed in un-American
fashion without a particle Of American
representation in any national, state,
territorial or municipal taxing body.
And both senators in the light Of this
sympathetic appreciation have so
shaped and will so shape taxing and ap-
propriating legislation that the funds
, for building up the Greater Washington
shall be derived from national subven-
ton and local taxation in such definite
proportions and with such specific
Z safeguards as to guarantee the abso-
lutte maximum of equity in compul-
sorry exactions from the unrepresent-
ed taxed. -. ,
Senator Phipps' message from the
joint congressional District surplus
committee. in which he speaks for the
authorized agent of the whole Con-
gress in dealing with the District sur
plus issue, is especially significant and
reassuring. Evidently the tax-money
collected In the war time to pay the
Districts half of the cost of more
schools, more and smoother streets,
more sewers, moro policemen, etc.
and not, in fact, spent for those pur
poses during that period is now to be
expended equitably i'll paying the Dis
trict's share of the cost Of meeting
precisely the accumulated neglected
municipal needs to meet which it was
originally collected.
This wise and fair disposition of the
surplus means that the sound prin-
ciple is adopted in the Districts fiscal
affairs that the tax-money accumu-
lated in the past to meet the Districts
share of National Capital expenses
shall be expended for the exact pur-
poses for which il was collected before
the taX-burden of taxpayers Of the
present is increased to meet these ac-
cumulated unmet needs and before
exaction to meet these needs is made
upon the taxpayers of the future by
borrowing the funds through a bond
issue.
If after it's surplus has been equi-
tably expended in meeting the Dis
trict's propOrtionate share of urgent
municipal needs more money is need
ed for the maintenance and upbuilding
OF the Greater and Better Washington
Of which we dream and which we are
all working with enthusiasm to make
a reality the Capital community. will
tax and borrow through new taxes
and a bond issue to raise its share of
the increased Capital expenditures.
Last nights event reminds Wash
ington anew of the debt of grateful
appreciation which it owes to those
faithful District legislators who in
substituting the organic act Of 1892
for the organic act Of 1873 have
retained aud given new prolonged
life to the wise and fair prin-.
cipIe of definite related proportion
ate contribution by nation and Capt.
tai community; in the maintenance
and upbuildings of the nations city.
Tho application of that principle since
1878 has converted the Capital from a
national humiliation and shame into
the nations pride. Strict adherence to
it in. the future under the 60-40 ratio
will. give US the Greater, Grander
Capital which our imaginations pic.
ture. .-.'' - =
Reductions are requested not only