Evening star., 1927-09-25
Taliaferro Laying Founda-
ton for Determined Drive
by Commissioners.
DETAILS TO BE LEFT
TO EXPERT COMMITTEE
Washington Bankers, Economists
and Other Authorities to GO
Over Entire Situation.

An energetic move for revision Of
the existing fiscal relations between
the Federal and District governments
and modification of the present
method of taxation will be made by
the District Commissioners at the
Forthcoming session Of Congress.
Commissioner Sidney F. Taliaferro,
under whose supervision falls the tax
collecting and tax assessing depart
ments of the municipal government, is
quietly but effectively laying the foun.
dation for this double -barreled cam
paign which he hopes will result
eventually in more equitable
financial agreement between the
United States and District govern
ments and also produce more salts.
factory method of taxation.
Made Study of Relations.
Virtually from the outset of his
career as Commissioner MIR. Talia.
ferro has made comprehensive study
of the fiscal relations between the Dis
trice and Federal Governments and
the system of taxation now in vogue
in the District-partly because it, is
necessary for him to have a complete
understanding of these vital subjects,
but chiefly with view to bringing out
certain reforms which he most sin.
cerely believes are needed for the fu-
ture welfare of the Nations Capital
City.
Mr.. Taliaferro, however, has no
definite solution or remedial prescrip-
ton to offer at this time. His inves-
legations and studies have convinced
him. nevertheless, that the present
plan, under which the Federal Gov
ernment contributes $9,000,000 toward
the expenses of the District and the
city makes up the remainder of an
ever mounting budget, is certainly in
equitable. Moreover. he is equally as
confident that the existing system OF
taxation is not entirely satisfactory.
Turns to Committee.
Instead of attempting TO work out
a more satisfactory plan in either Of
these cases, the Commissioner has de.
cided to turn this work over to com.
mittee of prominent Washington
bankers, economists and tax autnori-
ties. This committee is the same that
has been delegated by the Commits.
sioners to represent the District next
month at the annual conference OF
the National Tax Association in Tor
onto, Canada.
Surrounded by the country's leading
authorities on taxation, Mr.. Ialia-
ferro is confident that the committee
will be able to gather considerable in
fol nation and ideas which will aid it
in formulating not only a new fiscal
relations policy that will meet the ap-
proval of the public and Congress, but
a scheme that materially improves the
present method Of taxation. The COM
missioner has arranged 10 attend this
himself tor at least three
days of its SiX-day sessions with the
hope of obtaining a better knowledge
of the various methods Of taxation in
force in different municipalities.
Civic Approval to BE Sought.
When the committee returns from
Toronto and produces satisfactory
plans for changing the fiscal relations
and the system of taxa.
ton, Mr.. Taliaferro proposes TO sub
nit both TO the various civic and
trade associations for approval. With
the united support of these organi-
dent that Congress will indorse the
new plans.
Against Intangible Tax.
Whatever share or the Dlstrlctg
expenses Commissioner Taliaferro
thinks the Federal Government
should bear he has not revealed, but
he does express the opinion that the
present sytsem Of taxing intangibles
In the District Is unsatisfactory and
that a better plan can be evolved.
A substitute for the intangible tax
IN the form of an income tax is what
ne has in mind. But the Commits
sioner is not yet ready to advocate
such a change. He first wants the
advice and counsel of the special tax
committee after the deliberations in
Toronto, and if it recommends some
Jther method of replacing the intan-
gible tax. he said, he is prepared 10
support it.
Although the time is short before
the convening of Congress, Commits
sioner Taliaterro hopes the commit
Tee is able to work out new fiscal
relations scheme, together with a
tax system in time TO have
both given the sanction of the inter-
asted organizations in the District be-
fore December.