Evening star., 1925-10-10
NEW DISTRICT COMMITTEE HEAD
FAVORS BROAD CIVIC PROGRAM
Continued from First Page.)

Continued from First Page)
influx of Government employees and
those connected with the military and
| naval stablishments-and. strange
| to say, when the war came to an end,
we did not go back to what was con-
sidered normal. but continued to grow
until today we have a population of
over a half million, an increase of
nearly 100000 over the year 1915.
THE beauties of Washington have
| attracted many. It's park system is
one of the finest in the world. The
architectural beauty of it's buildings
| and grounds is known and universally
recognized. 1t is a center of research,
or invention and of wealth. 1t has
an educational system second to none,
| and every endeavor is being put forth
by the local authorities to keep pace
with the demands in this direction.
Praises District Heads.
with the growth of the city comes
the question of government. taxation
and finance. In reference to gov
ernment. / believe that taking all
things into consideration, and admit.
ting that our present form of gov
ernment is somewhat autocratic in
its nature, the results obtained
are truly surprising and gratifying,
and l take this opportunity of paying
tribute to the splendid men in every
branch of the District government
who are giving their best to the serv-
ice. many of them at a very meager
salary.
"As to taxation, the city has an as
sessable basis of $s7o,o0O,OO in real
and tangible personal property. as
rn ed 1s-ifh
and $440,000,00 intangible personal
property. as compared with $296,9 ,927,-
600 in the year 1918. II has a tax
rate of $l.70 on real and tangible per-
sonal property, as compared with
Sl.5o ten years ago, which Is a lower
rate than that of any other large city
in the country. Its rate on intangi-
BILE property is five-tenths of l per
cent.
No Inheritance Tax.
Much has been heard about the
State of Florida during the past year
and one of the reasons set forth for
it's development is that it has no in
heritance tax. Washington offers
that same inducement to the wealthy
men Of the country, in that we have
no Inheritance tax here at the present
time.
''The increase in population + have
given does not include the territory
known as the metropolitan district
which brings our population up to
we'll over 600 900.
AT the rate we are growing, what
will the next decade bring forth-and
If 1t realizes our anticipationS, how
best can we meet our growing needs
and that these needs are growing and
necessary none can gainsay.
First and foremost l place santa.
ton, and have contended that the city
water and sewer mains should be avail
able to every section of our city SO
that the humblest citizen and home
| should have those comforts which are
no longer regarded as luXurieS, but as
the necessaries of life.
Urges Great University.
"The growing school needs Of the
| city demand more and more that
school sites be obtained before and not
after a section of the city is built up
and the same forethought should be
applied to the Fairgrounds of our Ma
| tional Capital. The last Congress was
| liberal in reference to the school pro
gram, and the activity in this direction
should be crowned within the next few
years by the erection of a great Amer.
lean university in this city, and by the
| completion of a great athletic field and
| stadium which could be used not only
| for athletic contests, but as a place OF
| education and entertainment for al
the people of the city and the Nation
| owing to the withdrawal by Con
| greSs Of the maintenance apprOprta
tions, the bathing beaches Of the city
! have been closed. l am hopeful that
| the coming year will give us a mod
| ern system of bathing pools such as
! the people of other cities enjoy.
with the rapid building up Of the
city, the beautiful park system should
be enlarged and expanded by acquir-
ing new areas. During the past few
months 100000 have been spent in
this direction, and the citizens of the
city should demand that the full sum
authorized by Congress last year
namely, $1,000, ,ooO-should be made
available.
Sees Doom of Suburban Trolley.
There was a time when Washing
ton boasted of the best streets in the
world. but the growing use of the au-
tomobile has brought about a revo-
luton in road and street building
throughout the country, and most of
our streets are no longer comparable
with those OF other cities. Congress
should see to it that sufficient funds
are available to carry out a program
of new construction and street repair.
such as the people Of the Nation have
a right to expect in their Capital.
"One Of the problems that is be
coming more pressing and completing
| is that of transportation. The time
has arrived when it is no longer prac-
tical to make our broad avenues dan.
gerous and unsightly by the erection
of trolley poles, and in the suburban
| sections Of the city the car lines will
| I believe, in the next few years be
displaced by the more modern motor
! buSseS.
"The National Guard Of the District
| is inadequately housed, and one Of the
| pressing needs at this time is the
building of new armory for the
| splendid men who make up our citi
| zen soldiers.
THE Government should also, at
| the earliest possible date. provide per.