The Washington times., 1925-12-16
BLANTON n D "
D. c. BOOSTER
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Increases in appropriations for
District activities was anticipated
before the increases were even
broached to Congress and expec-
tations were almost always
realized.
Becomes Really Generous
Even so late as the last Congress
his economical tendencies were de-
cidedly noticeable.
He fought purchases and opposed
the plan to raise the salary OF the
superintendent of Schools to $lO,-
600.
An apparent change in policy be-
came apparent when he advocated
the increased salaries for District
policemen and firennen, which were
approved by the last Congress and
which now are being paid.
But this year Congressman Blan.
ton is displaying a real generosity
toward the District in the matter
OF expenditures.
The first surprise came when he
advocated an increase in the salary
CT the Director of Traffic from
$500 to $4,000. and his assistant
from $1,000 to $500.
His proposal to give the Traffic
Director and his assistants automO-
biies came as q real shock.
Blanton In the past almost invari-
ably opposed expenditures for auto
sfSSf
officials.
Hard on the heels of his traffic
increase proposals came the an
houncemeflt that he favored an In
crease in the salaries of the Dis
trict Commissioners from 800 to
10000.
AT the same time he advocated
salary increases for all hnderpaid
employees.
Yesterday, following visit to the
District Police Court Building, he
called upon every member of Com
eress to visit the building. learn OF
the real need of improvements
there, and then pass relief legiEla-
tion before Christmas.
Friends Of the Texas Congress-
man declare that he always has had
the real interests OF the District at
heart and only has been AN econos
mist where the District is con-
cerned because he Is opposed to the
Federal Government paying district,
expenses while the local tax rate.
Il at the present low level.
Pledged to Higher Taxes
Congressman Blantofl returned To-
Congress last year on a PLATFORM
one plank of which pledged him to.
fight for higher taxes in the Dis
trict. In the past under the 60.40
or $3.50 plans OF fiscal relationship.
between the District and Federal
Governments; he could not fight for
an increase in, the local tax rate.
ton without also increasing the.
contribution Of the Federal Gov
eminent toward the District, to
which he was opposed.
Now that the lump sum ap-
parently has been adopted as a
fixed principle Of Congressional
appropriation toward the District,
the Federal contribution remains
unchanged, regardless OF the total
amount Of District appropriations.
The higher the appropriations
mount, the higher the tax rate for
the District must go. it is pointed
ont.
Therefore. it is said at the Capitol.
Congressman BIanton now can az.
ford to exercise his generosity to-
ward the District without drawing
upon the Federal Treasury. At the
same time any increased appropria.
tons brought about for the Distric.
are right in line with his avowed In
tention to fight for increased tax
rates for Washington
His New Attitude
..Blanton is now able to conscien-
tfously approve expenditure of
money the District needsl'' 3 mem
Der Of the District COMMITTEES said
today.
He never will countenance 1
riot of extravaganza In District
expenditures but predict that
from now on any real needs of the
District which involve increased
appropriations win find a sym.
pathetic supporter in Congressman
Blanton, formerly a terror to the
District where appropriations are
concerned
Congressman Blanton has made
and is making a thorough study
or the Districts needs and 1 am
convinced that the District soon
VIII come to realize that In the
Texas Congressman, formerly the
target of so many bitter attacks
by District. citizens who do not
realize his real feeling toward the
District, will be regarded soon as
one of the Districts best friends