Evening star., 1924-05-01

But if Uncle Sam is compelled by
any years fiscal conditions to cut
down all of his expenditures, in
cluding his outlay on National Cap
ital upbuilding, he will obviously
make this retrenchment whether in
sum contribution or holds down the
total District outlay, of which he
pays a proportionate part. Indeed,
it is easier to make this direct spe-
cifc reduction than indirectly by
cutting and mutilating the District
appropriations. There is greater
fixity to the definite proportionate
contribution than to that of a lump
sum. 1t is far easier for those who
think that the nation should pay
nothing. today toward Capital main
tenanee and development to reduce
or deny entirely the annual lump
sum than to change the ratio OF
proportionate contribution.
This bill will not cause the Dis
trict to escape supervision and ma
tiOnal contribution cutting by the
budget bureau. 1t does not increase
the certainty of a national contribu-
tioD or fixity in the amount OF such
contribution. 1t does not avoid fric-
tion-bre eding ratio discussion, but on
the contrary aRErnvates Ii. II does
not increase n particle the Districts
power to participate in its municipal
legislature. Congress still has ex-
ii shall be taxed. and by whom and
for what purposes It's tax money
shall be expended.
= This bill is jug-handled, one
sided, unfair. 1t gives back to the ma
tion its pledge OF prOpOrtionate con-
tribution, which accompanied national
seizure of the Capitals power of self
taxation, without restoring TO the Dis
trict this self-taxing power of which
IL had been deprived. Its practical ef-
feet is 10 place n maximum limit on
the contribution of the United States
and to remove the limit entirely from
the contribution OF the local tax
payers.
Indeed, the announced purpose Of
the proposed legislation is to enable
a taxing body in which the District is
not represented to increase the local
burden of taxation at its pleasure un-
checked by the existing requirement
that every such increase be reflected
in some measure in national taxation
for Capital upbuilding.
The maximum national contribution
is made definite during the time in
which Congress refrainS from dimin-
ishing it: but all limits are declared
off in respect TO the local contribution,
and il remains definite only in the
certainty that the local taN burden
will be largely increased, and that
the local taxpayers will not partici-
pate at any time in the decision of
the amount of the increase. the
methods of taxation by which the in
crease is secured and the purposes for
hi iHh hn
For the reasons above stated your
petitioners earnestly urge the rejec-
ton by Congress of III. II. 413
Theodore ". Noyes, chairman exc
cutive committee of citizens joint
committee on District of Columbia
fiscal relations: L. F. Colladay, presi-
dent Board of Trade; Isaac Cans. pres
ident Chamber of, Commerce; Anton
Stephan, president Merchants and
A. Baker. president Federation of
Citizens Associations; Stanton c.
Peelle, president Bar Association
Herbert l.. Davis, President Columbia
Heights Citizens Association; Evan
II. Tucker. president Northeast Citi-
zens' Association; J. A. oliver, presi-
dent Georgetown Citizens Associa- =
ton; II. f. Stringer, president City
Club; II. V. Haynes, president District
of Columbia Bankers Association; J
c. Weldon, president the Real Estate
Board; Arthur d. Marks, president
Rotary Club: Harry q. kimball, pres
ident Kiwanis Club; James NJ Proc
tor, president Civitan Club.