Evening star., 1926-02-18
Preserve the Principle Of Proportionate
Contribution for the National Capital
Petition by the Citizens Joint Committee Fiscal
Relations Between United States and District
of Columbia.

local contributions. and, leaving all
taxing power In the hands of the
Unfted States, deprives the unrepre-
sented Capital Of its safeguard
against excessive taxation BY u tax
ing body in which it II not repre-
scented.
8. 1t destroys the Ascal peace set
tlenent promised BY the new organic
act.
To raise now the issue of a lump
sum payment substitute for definite
proportionate contribution by the Ma
ton Is to reopen the fiscal relations
peace settlement Of June 20. 1922, and
to plunge the House and Senate into
the old, wearisome wrangle. SO hurt
full to the District. over the issue of
definite or indefinite proportionate
contribution toward Capital upbuild-
ing and over the ratio (50-60 or 60-40)
Of definite proportionate contribu-
ton.
The avowed purpose and promised
result of the new law was to bring to
House and Senate and people Of the
District q period OF wholesome and
refreshing rest from fiscal relations
controversy. If the act of 1922 is
left for a few years to work out it's
on its dement's this needed rest will
be secured. If the old controversy
over definite proportionate contribu
tion Is to be renewed by compulsory
discussion of this bill this rest will
be denied, one Of the avowed main
purposes OF the act Of 1922 will be
defeated and the understanding
upon which this compromise legis-
lation was based will be fiagrantly
violated.
I. It teaches . false theory con-
eerninE tho relation Of Nation to
1t obtrudes annually upon the at
tention of Congress the suggestion
Of large cash donation to the Capt.
tai. AZ II the primary obligation Of
national city upbuilding were upon
the local taxpayers. and the Nation
were only an incidental contributor.
q voluntary and benevolent donor.
Since the Nation in 1873 recognized
and assumed it's National Capital
power and obligation, it's RESPONSE
bility In respect to the Capital has
been primary and dominating. As
Late as 1915 this relation Of Nation to
Capital was fully recognized and
clearly set forth in the report of the
joint select committee Of Congress-
which made the most thorough, ex-
haustive and able study Of the fiscal
relations Of Nation and Capital that
statesmen had given to the subject
since 1918. AS long as all the
assets and revenues Of the national
and local joint contributors toward
Capital upbuilding are in the hands
of the national Joint contributor and
as long as all decisions concerning
the amounts to be paid by the joint
contributors, respectively. and con-
cerning the expenditure OF the Joint
revenues are to be made by the na-
tional contributor, the latter must
in equity. and will, in fact, bear the
primary responsibility Of Capital up
building, and the local taxpayers
will be recognized in their true re-
lation as merely incidental contrib
utors OF tax money. not fxed in
amount by themselves, but exacted
at tho pleasure of the other joint
contributor.
5, 1t reduces to q minimum or de-
stroys any chance of equitable pro-
portionate contribution BY tho United
States In a11roDriadng ana spending
the Districts accumulated Treasury
tax surplus.
Another practical effect OF destroy
Ing the 6o-40 ratio will be to reduce
to a minimum any chance OF equi-
table proportionate contribution by
the United States when our accu-
mulated tax surplus comes to be ex-
pended. This tax money was col
lected by authority OF tho half-and-
half law solely to apply upon the
Districts half Of District approprta-
tions. Whenever It is expended 1t
would DO equitable to spend IT under
the haf-and-half law, the United
States duplicating it II when the
surplus comes to be used the pro-
portionate contributions are on the
60.40 ratio. the Nation. through
Congress. will either apply, as equity
seems to demand, the $3.50 ratio
or will make the existing 6040 ratio
retroactive ana add to tho Districts s
surplus only 40 per cent from the
national Treasury. But II both the
5o-50 and the eo-4o ratios are de-
stroyed, and when the surplus comes
to be expended there is no definite
proportionate contribution by Nation
and taxpaying Capital, then the