Evening star., 1926-10-26
CAPITAL, DEBT FREE, PAYS TOP
t PER CAPITA ASSESSMENT NOW
Washington, Without Federal Aid Enjoyed
| by States, Finds Taxable Land Area
Shrinking Rapidly.

|
| Federal contribution
Take the % cities in the same class
with Washington-those having a
| population OF 500, 900 and over. At the
| time of the last census report on the
| tina nCial statistics of cities, in 1928
| Washington was lowest on the list for
| e then had a per capita debt of 35
| ents, since wiped ou,; while the next
lowest was $1628 per capita, in ST.
| .ouis. ana the high figures ran up
| 0 $1S6.47 In New York city, $197.67
| Cincinnati, S203.25 in Jersey City
| md $2142 20 IN Seattle.
Our successful business administra-
| ion--the tact that we taxpayers get
| % much for our tax dollar, 100 cents
net Service-is not because Congress
allows So, 100000 a year toward put.
ting National Capital clothing on the
municipality of the City of Washing
ton. SO that it may present "a good
| appearance.
No Justice in Charge.
There is no justice in the often
heard complaint in Congress that we
here in Washington are not taxed
high enough. AS a matter of fact, we
pay the highest per capita assessment
in the country.
There is legislation pending in Con-
gresS, a proposal for a joint commit
tee of House and Senate to determine
an equitable fiscal policy of paying
the costs of maintenance and broad
visioned development of the Capital
not only OF the half million persons
resident here, but of the more than
120, 100000 persons in all these 48
United States.
This is the one outstanding subject
to which the Gibson subcommittee of
the House District committee has been
asked to give prime consideration
when 1t starts its hearings just after
the congressional elections, because it
Is fundamental and basic.
From 1873 to 1920 the organic act
provided that the Federal Treasury
should contribute one-half the eX-
penSeS of the Capital City. Then until
the fiscal year 1925 we had the Fed
eral Government paying 40 per cent
and the District taxpayers 60 per cent.
In 1925 and 1926 we had the parent
Government grudgingly giving us
lump sum of $4,000, 900, as a hap
hazard guess at it's rightful share of
the cost. This was based on a District
budget of some $22,0O0,000, and we
have now climbed to $37 1000, ,000-so
at fair proportion it should now be
nearer $15,000,000.
Some Real Facts.
Here are some real facts:
"a Congress is constantly reducing
the assessable area in the District by
authorizing Government acquisition
Of the best pieces of property, and
during the next five years a very
large number of most desirable tracts
are to be removed from tax assess
ment.
~ Congress has for many years
held a dead hand on large stretches
Of the best commercial property in
the District, retarding development
which would have meant increased
tax revenue-the triangle between
Pennsylvania avenue and the Mall
being a ready example.
(3) Congress forces the District tax
payers to pay for large park areas
which from a strictly municipal view
point are not the most desirable loca-
tions for community recreational
facilities. and then retains the title in
the Federal Government for land the
District residents have paid for.
40 Congress with exclusive control
over the District has retarded the de-
velopment of residential areas which
would have increased the tax revenues
year after year, because some Federal
project superseded the municipal in
tereSt.
(5l Congress has Disseminated
against the District in the matter of
Federal aid, which other States en-
Joy, and this is especially seen in the
$3.50, ,0O0. 900 road-buiding budget, not
one dollar of which is spent here,
where we spend $4,000 900 to S3,500,-
900 a year on streets and roads. I'm
der this federal aid 259 railroad grade
crossings have been eliminated in the
States, while we are importuning Con-
gress to authorize the elimination, Of
four here in the Capital at cost of
s675 .000-every dollar of which would
come from local taxes.
(6) Normally we pay nearly $20,000.-
900 In internal revenue taxes, consid-
erably more than IS paid in eight
States combined, and more than twice
as much as the rest Of the Nation
pays towards it's Capital. These in
ternal revenue taxes are disburSed