Evening star., 1924-05-31
Let Congress Seek the Facts !!

In 1878. after long inquiry into the
relations between the District of Co
lumbia and the federal government,
the needs of the former and the obliga-
ton Of the latter, Congress provided
in a statute. which was regarded and
accepted as the organic act for the
National Capital, that so per cent of
all the appropriations for it's main
tenance and development should be
paid out of the United States Treas
ury. Under that act Washington. long
suffering from inadequate support. de-
Neloped and grew. 1t became d city
worthy of American pride as the seat
of government as the national center
In the course of time, however. opposi-
ton developed to the continued divi-
sion of expense between the United
States and the District taxpayers That
opposition arose from a misunder-
standing of the taxation capacity of
the people of Washington. Exemp-
"o-ts were made from time to time IL
particulars. in certain items, the whole
cost being thrown upon the District.
Then an attack was made against the
ratio, which was denounced as too
high for the government and too low
for the District.
AS a result this question was re-
ferred TO a joint congressional COM
mittee. which in 1915. after an exhaus-
tive inquiry. reported in favor of the
principle and terms of the fixed pro
portionate ratio. Notwithstanding this
finding the efforts to break down the
act of 1873 persisted. and the ratio
was Professionally changed from $3.50
to 60-40. Two years ago that new ratio
was written into the bill making ap-
propria tons for the ensuing fiscal
year, with d provision that for five
years taxation should be at an in
creased rate in order to accumulate
sufficient fund to enable the District
to meet drafts for it's percentage dur
ing the first portion of the fiscal year.
That arrangement was regarded as, in
effect. an agreement that there should
be no change in the fiscal relations
during that period
Now. suddenly without warning,
without hearing. without any con-
sideration of the matter on it's merits,
the House has adopted a provision
which wipes out the principle Of def
mite proportionate contribution and
substituted d lump-sum provision, a
principle which. if adopted. leaves the
District completely at the mercy of
cheese-p pairing, economical Congress
without any safeguard whatever
against the necessity of paying taxes
in exorbitant amounts to meet heavy
and increasing appropria tions for Capt.
tai maintenance.
Contrary to confident eXpecta tions,
the Senate instead of striking out this
unfairly adopted inequitable provision.
with its possibilities for grievous harm
10 the local taxpayers. has compro-
missed the matter by increasing the
lump-sum appropriation from eight to
fourteen millions. cor in lieu thereof
40 per centum of the sums named in
the bill. Thus the provision remains
as lump-sum plan, though increas sed
In amount. A compromise in confer
ence is suggested as a logical outcome
of the difference. which would leave 1t
still a lumpsum proposition.
If this course is followed one more
step will be taken toward whiting
down the federal governments con-
!. tribution for the upkeep Of the Ma.
tional City. which was begun in the
exemptions from $3.50 some years ago,
was continued in the further exemp-
tions of particular f.ems, and finally
reached the point of reducing the
ratio.
1t Is urged by those who favor lump.
sum appropriations that the District
has much to gain from them, that
{ Congress will be more liberal with fed.
eral money if the ratio is removed.
But, alas for hopes in this direction,
there is nothing whatever in the rec.
ord Of the past half-century to warrant
such expectation. On the contrary, the
disposition has been to lessen, not to
increase, the governments share. 1t
has been to regard the District tax.
payer as favored with low assessments
and low rates, as relieved in compari-
son with other cities Of a fair share
Of municipal maintenance burden.
In view Of this record Of persistent
attacks upon the principle under
which, despite the variations from it,
Washington has become the pride Of
America, should not Congress now
frankly determine the right relation
ship between the federal government
and the Federal City? Should it not
once again, as it did in 1873, and again
in 1915, deliberately ascertain the
equities of this situation by thorough
inquiry? Whatever may be the lump
sum agreed upon. if one is the result
of the present conference, there should
be a provision in the District appro.
8 priation bill for a joint congressional
Investigation to seek the facts as to
District taxation and the Districts
ability to bear Capital maintenance
burden and the obligations Of the gov
eminent to carry part of that bur-
den.
Pass the Naval Bill.
A disquioting suggestion comes