Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-31


Il was the most engrossing and
active period in their his
tory. TO an unprecedented degree the
wear found the trade organizations
uniting on matters of importance to
the District as a whole in presenting
the results of their studies and their
requests to the city heads and TO Con-
gress for consideration. This new era
of close cooperation brought about
rise in the influence of the trade
bodies and tended to remove the basis
for the criticism heard in the past
from members Of Congress that I'VE
do not know what the people OF Wash
ington want"
Outstanding among numerous prof.
ects championed by the trade bodies
in united way we're the movements,
which have won growing list OF sup
porters in both houses of Congress,
for an equitable readjustment of the
fiscal relations of the Federal and Dis
trict governments, with definite rec
ommendation for resumption OF the
60-40 apportionment plan. and an
amendment to the Constitution of the
United States empowering Congress to
grant to the National Capital repre-
sentation in Congress and in the cleo
toral college.
Coupled with these projects also
were recommendations by the Board
of Trade. the Washington Chamber Of
Commerce and the Merchants and
Manufacturers Association calling for
a limitation on the size of the District
budget for the fiscal year 1899 in
order that the tax rate might be cut
to offset the tremendous increase in
assessment on real estate which went
into effect in July this year. This
movement was upheld by the District
Commissioners. and at the conclusion
OF study of the proposed budget for
the next fiscal year the city heads
slashed the estimates of the depart
ment heads from more than $50, 90o,-
900 to approximately S42 500 900.
Tax Rate Is Fixed.
The trade bodies earlier in the Sum.
mer had urged that the tax rate for
the present fiscal year be held down
TO 81 e5 per 500 valuation. believing
the revenues thus derived would prove
ample TO cover the 1928 budget.
The city heads. allowing for wider
margin for deficiencies and exigencies.
sc. the current tax rate on realty at
$1.10. thus effecting a Decent reduc-
ton from the rate for the past year
and making possible a saving Of about
a half million dollars.
Detailed study of the proposed
budget prior to action upon il by the
commissioners and the Bureau OF the
Budget was made possible for the first
time this year when the city heads
submitted 70 the trade bodies figures
indicating the budget estimates asked
by the department heads.
The trade associations also united
In the movement for expansion of the
industrial activities in and near Wash
ington: in making a study OF the need
and possibilities OF the development
OF an airport for Washington: in seek.
ing settlement OF the threatened auto
mobile tag war" with Virginia which
arose over the new license law of that
State: and IN the celebration OF the
opening Of the new Defense Highway.
The three trade organizations also
Joined with the Washington Real
Estate Board and the Arlington
County Chamber OF Commerce in
forming the Joint Industrial Council.
which has as its purpose the making
OF an industrial survey Of Washington
and vicinity TO determine the cha rac-
ter and extent Of possible expansion
OF ioca! industrial activities which was
deemed essential 10 support the grow
ing population Of the District A
detailed survey OF preSen. manufac.
turing establishments here was made
and a report shortly is 10 be made.
National Survey Made.
As one OF its outstanding projects
or the year the Board Of Trade made
national tax survey comparing the
tax burden and governmental costs
here with 50 OF the larger cities OF the
Nation and showing the peculiar tax
situation In Washington arising on, OF
the location OF the National Capital.
here. The survey. which was accorded
me approval Of the Detroit Bureau 81
Research. showed that
washington stands second in the list
or cities for per capita assessment.
and that Washington. although as.
tinctiy not an industrial citv. is fo,,r.
teenth in the list for per carlta tax
paid. \ comprehensive study or ,he
facts produced by this survey Was
prepared by the municipal finance
committee. cf which Joshua Evans.
IT. Is Chairman. showing how govern,
mental costs here are much larSer
'nan IN cities Of comparable size.
Lhe taN survey. SapplsnsertsnS
earlier studies for the Board OF Trade
VIII De used in presentation 81 ths
case OF Washington Ia ConSreSs This
session and IL Is planned 10 Keep the
TAX data up'todate year By wear hv
similar surveys
National representation for Wash. |
lnston mas been actively sought nv (.
me board or Trade i'm ~, operation /
WIN other organizations having rep, /
4 in IA 4S7&
hittee on national representation and /
added encouragement FOR early an
prevail OF the project has come re, |
gently With Endorsement and supr<.vt !
ot the movement by members ~ thy
National Council ~ State IeSiSla, I
lures.
Airport Here Urged.
The RtArd of Trade ,cined with /
'ther Srours IN urging establishments /
~ an airport here. but added the pro.
'tso thst the etNSi ~ such y prcjert, |!
Nh'rh To large degree would he for
he henenJ ~ the Federal ,lslNartuentS
here, should he divided eluitahlv h..
iween the lC,al and Federal Govern,
nents
The hoard was active In she Sg,ssv
" means NJ riddinS tho District I
sducattNnas institutions Ut the s'Ag>
hema milf type and Endorsed \ taw
'snrosinS ltcenSlng " SrhNolS and
'pileEeS ps~lar~d by committee el
he Chamber Ut CSsnn,etx,e.
The RoAr. VI Trade also Is I,n rxs>NnsNl
u taNHr NJ enactment Ut \ mtSitsael
erm M the humeS law, for an in !
'rease G leo in he personnel cf the
Ndics Department AMI for addition az
U passenger automobiles for the SeY<, |
10 or the tEteettVe Eur~au. f>r en-, |
cement az warkmens eetapenssa.
ION law along lines ri the measure
l'onsnred by REPRESENTATIVE lFnde,~ !
ill, tr new VakraacN hAw w,th /
teeth ia IL, and other psaleetSA
The Chamher ot lNNnmaIx,x.. i'm Al. /
Atlnh IL taingng With other ,,reant
at1ens In the movement for ryAadMSg,
Acht NJ TIE tax plan here, pgalNNss.,l
hAf N.siAAf H. iEAN..Aaf L.. =