The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-06-27
Mounting Taxes, Unjust Fiscal
Relations and Proposed
Fiscal Commission
By BILL PRICE.

he Citizens Advisory Council recommends District budget
for the fiscal year 192e1927 amounting to approximately
$50 000 would another increase in tax rate
something each 500 Of assessed valuation
and urges the District Commissioners ask Congress for
fiscal commission to consider the unfair fiscal relations
existing between Federal and District Governments
The proposed budget be large increase appropra
tons for this fiscal year quite plain that this
city grows municipal needs and requirements will grow
with it. There escaping from larger annual budgets
although must be exercised by all officials
to pare expenditures necessities and to eliminate
altogether experimental and theoretical propositions that will
be advanced by city officials and others.
undenable purpose Of certain ccterie IN the House.
most of them of the House Appropriations Com
mttee thus position force their policies upon Con-
gress limit Federal Governments participation in
municipal needs lump Of 100000 which
Citizens Advisory Council objects to manfesty
unfair proportion Of the annual total
Engineer Commissioner BELL officer Of the United
States army agrees with the people Of Washington that the
that Congress acting Uncle Sam partner in Dis
ict affairs should ascertain what Is fair ratio OF financial
ion oo and abide By that rss %
tribute 100000 the House continues have its way and
the people Of the District would supply 100000 through
sdsng that he bosses the whole thing naming streets
that shall be improved and the to be spent each
few years back the Federal Government paid onehaN
the total appropriations; then the dropped
6o with Uncle Sam supplying the lesser amount and then
this House Committee repudated the 6O40 agreement
and inaugurated the 100000 lump scheme overriding
the fairly disposed Senate to do
Uncle Sans interests in this Federal City grow each year
yet the House scheme does not recognise such growth
increasing Federal obligation II It took the position
to the country whole the annual appropriations Of
Congress would remain the Yet the country grows
governmental needs with it, the the District
the Federal Capital
Whether Fiscal Commission would accomplish anything
or Influence Congress any way doubtful long
the House Appropriations Committee controlled as il
The only promising feature Of the proposed commission
is that would consist of equal number Of Congressional
and local citizen members giving District people oppor
tunty to present their viewpoint in promising
results.
The futiy Of District fiscal commissions however
illustrated in the fact that have had them all
Congressional and that their recommendations
favorable to the District contention that great Federal
City should be properly supported by Congress
This House coerie is definitely settled in It's purpose
relieve the Federal Government Of its fair proportion Of
t upkeep and saddle larger and larger burdens upon
people of the District few Of announced that
until the tax rate here reaches $3.50 per 500 they will
favor increase in Federal contribution All this de-
spite the fact that property here valuation
as against half and threequarer valuations cities
numerous special taxes and which not paid
in other cities There outright refusal make comparisons
and to consider the different tax methods that prevail
Stunning that tax rate here Is too low the House faction
stands pat against reason, justice and square dealing
Instead OF commission be better Citizens
Advisory Council to accumulate all the facts can bearing
upon municipal taxation throughout the country and ask this
house committee which is trying to throttle people of
washington, to give the council hearing same plan
could DE followed the Senate and opportunity
presented itself.