Evening star., 1925-06-23
LUMP SUM FISCAL
PLAN HIT; COUNCIL
ASKS S38,9)8,S(0
Unwise and Unscientific, Ad-
Wsers Say, in Recommend
ing 1927 Appropriation.
GROUP TO SETTLE ISSUE
DEFINITELY is FAVORED
$lo,OOO,OOO for Schools Is Among
Many Items for Which Increased
Funds Are Asked.

Funds Are Asked.
In submitting 70 the District Com.
IuSSlonerS TODAY Recommendation
mat S5S.9OS.S09 be asked of Congress
loi operating expenses OF the District
OF Columbia Government during the
IlScal year 1927, the Citizens Advisory
'odhc1l announced its opposition to the
lump sum plan of District of Columbia
appropriations and expressed the hope
mat a commission will be appointed
10 settle for all time the matter OF
nscai relations between the District
ana the Federal Government,
Appropriations requested by the
heads of the District Government de-
partments totaled more than $4,000
600.
Inc council also advised the Com.
mlssloners in its letter ACCOMPANYING
the report that it is vigorously op-
posed to the so-called Borland amend
ment which imposes upon abutting
property heavy and ineQuitable spe-
cial tax burdens on street and road
construction.
Want S13,00O,00O For Schools.
The council recommended increased
appropriations for many important
District activities. II urged that the
entire building program submitted by
the Board of Education be adopted
and also that certain increases in
other school items be approved by the
commissioners. so as to bring the
! total school estimates to more than
s13 100000.
Other important departments for
which liberal appropriations were ia.
Vored included the street and roadway
Improvement division, with S3S62 700
Free Public Library, s275.OOO; Police
department, So, 109, $50: Fire DEPART
ment, s2,1 52 ,065; charities and correc-
tons, S3,219,5 800; increa Sed water sup
ply, 81 500. 600; water department, 81 :.
| 1920; public Fairgrounds, s155 900:
| Traffic Bureau. $4,000: sewers. ST.
| 100000. and refuse collection and dis
! posal, S1,473.O0
Fruit of Mature Thought.
| Our opinion and recommendations
| submitted herewith,'' the council re-
ported. represented our mature con-
| sideration and judgment as to the
actual needs of the District of Colum-
| bia for the fiscal year 1927, having due
| regard for estimate ted available revenue
! produced by fair rate of taxation
and assuming that the Federal Gov
eminent will make fair and Just con-
| tribution.
"A number of projected improve
ments of considerable magnitude and
| representing real needs might have
been proposed by the council, but for
the uncertainty regarding Govern
ment contributions TO the District
budget. Our people are ready and
willing to go forward with such major
IprojectS whenever the Federal Gov
ernment is ready to bear its equitable
share of the costs.
In arriving at the results sub
mitted herewith we recognize and de-
| sire at this time respectfully to
emphasize the dual responsibility of
ithe Federal and District Governments
| in meeting this budget which is alb
normally large by reason of accumu-
lated needs over a long period.
Hits Lump Sum Plan.
| We invite your attention, and
! through you. that of the Congress TO
| the responsibility of the Federal Gov
ernment to carry an equitable proper
ton of this burden, the only contro-
/ Verted point being the proportion of
such contribution. This annual recur-
! ring controversy consumes vast
| amount of time, which should be given
/ to consideration of real needs, is un-
businessike and is unsatisfactory, both
/
| the District of Columbia
| We submit that an arbitrary lump
sum contribution is unwise, unscien-
tific and calculated to work injustice
to one or the other of the parties at
interest. We do not assume to be able
to pass upon the equities involved, nor
do we believe the Congress able,
| through its ordinary legislat tive ma
chinery, to solve the problem.
Asks Commission OF Issue.
The council, therefore. advises you
| that it believes it to be the desire of
/ the people of the District of Columbia
| that you incorporate in your annual
| report and in the estimates to be sub
| mitted to the Congress a recommenda-
| ton for the appointment of an official
commission consisting of an equal
number of members of the Congress
and bona fide residents and taxpayers
| of the District of Columbia to make
| proper inquiries and report to the
! Congress and to the people a perma-
| nent plan for the equitable apportion-
ment between the Federal Govern
ment and the District of Columbia of
the expenses of maintaining, expand.
ing and beautifying the Nations Cap.
ital and that you further recommend
that until such permanent plan be
comes effective Congress recognize the
obligation to appropriate on definite
proportionate basis as provided by ex-
listing law"
In urging the Commissioners to seek
the immediate repeal of the Borland
! amendment the council points out
! that "our citizens, through our civic
and trade bodies. with great unanim-
| ity, have long and persistently petit
toned for this relief" Enactment by
! the last Congress of the gasoline tax
law has recognized principle of re-
! sponsibility opposed to that involved
| in the Borland amendment, the re-
| port declares.
Held General Obligation.
"The responsibility of the users of
the streets now being definitely estab-
lished," the council adds, lit would
seem that in all fairness it should like
| wise be recognized that street and
| road construction and maintenance is
a general rather than abutting prop
erty obligation"
The report was signed by Jesse c.
hot of he roiI