Evening star., 1927-11-12
TRADE BODY URGES
VOICE IN CONGRESS
Board to Press Appeal for
Representation and Fairer
Split of Expense.

National representation for the Dis
trict Of Columbia in both houses OF
Congress and the establishment of a
definite and fixed fiscal relations plan
under which the taxpayers of the Dis
trict would pay 60 per cent and the
Federal Government 40 per cent OF
the costs of the National Capital will
he sought with renewed energy by
the Board of Trade during the coming
session Of Congress.
These and other important matters
affecting the District were outlined at
a special conference meeting OF the
officers, directors and committee cha.f-
men Of the trade body held last night
at the home Of Edwin c. Graham,
the president Of the board. at 2921
Forty-fourth place. Wesley Heights.
when a comprehensive program of
activities was mapped out for the Win
ter months.
TAXPAYERS Bear 15 Per Cent.
Determination of the committee of
the board on municipal finance to urge
upon Congress the establishment of
the former 60-40 fiscal system was
revealed last night as part OF plans
of the board for a readnstment or
taxation matters mere ny when 1t is
hoped a fairer and more equitable
division of taxes would be made as be-
tween the Federal and local govern
ments than the present system, under
which local taxpayers are bearing ap-
proximately IS per cent of the costs of
the Capital as a result of the lump
sum plan of Federal contribution. The
board is completing a national taA
survey in support of its position.
With representatives of the District
IN the Senate and House to guard the
interests of residents of Washington,
members of the board believe many
of the unfair features which have
crept into legislation affecting the
District in the past would be eliminated
as better understanding of the needs
of Washington was accomplished
through the work of local representa-
tives in Congress.
With view to organizing the forces
of the Board of Trade for deter.
mined effort for these and other major
legislative projects during the ap'
preaching session of Congress. the
officials of the organization unani-
naously approved suggestion by
President Graham for the appointment
of a legislative steering committee,
which will be in charge of all legisla-
tive proposals to be laid before Con.
gress.
Trade Cooperation Urged.
The movement inaugurated last
Jsne during consideration of the bud
get estimates for the next fiscal year
for cooperative action by all the ma
jer trade organizations also was given
the stamp of approval Of the near 40
officials of the board attending the ses-
eussed for furthering this plan. 1t
was felt that greater weight and con-
sideration would be given by Congress
to requests Of local trade organizations
ff they worked together on matters OF
outstanding importance to the city as
a whole and could present a united
front to Congress Of such matters.
A detailed study Of the proposed
budget for the next fiscal year, which
calls for the appropriation Of a total
of s42,500, 900, was presented to OFF,
cials Of the board by Joshua Evans,
chairman of the municipal finance
committee, who stated that 1t would be
the purpose Of his committee to limit
the appropriations total which would
make possible an equitable tax burden
on residents of the District, and one
which they could afford to pay, taking
into consideration the amount to be
provided by the Federal Government.
He recommended that all appropria-
ton items for new development pro.
jects, which would make necessary
any increase in the present tax rate,
be eliminated from the budget for the
next fiscal year. This. he said, would he
the only business-like method to be
followed inasmuch as blanket in.
dorsement of worthy development
projects might, and probably would,
result in boosting OF the tax burden.
"Watch Dog Over Taxes.
Declaring that it would be the pur.
pose Of his committee to be 'the
watch dog" over the District tax bur-
den, Mr.. Evans pointed out that the
real estate property tax was the only
flexible tax existing here and that re.
quests for needed and worthy projects
probably would result in an increase
in this tax, which now is Sl.70 per
S100, if action upon all these projects
was taken during the coming year.
Unless the Federal Government in.
creases its share of the costs OF the
National Capital, he said, the only al
ternatives would be an increase In the
gas tax, a bond issue or an advance
from the Federal Treasury. already
proposed, as means OF proVidlng
funds for park extensions.
A detailed study of the budget and
revenues for the fiscal year 1928.29
was presented to the conference by
Robert j. Cottrell. second assistant
secretary of the board, showing the ex.
pected revenues to be $33,500,O 900, as
against the United States contribu'
tion of So. 900 900, as under the exist
ing fiscal plan, making a total ex-
pected revenue of S42, 100000, which
would cover the budget as recommend
ed by the District Commissioners.
The study showed that recurring
and operating expenditures of the Dis
trfct. which must be provided for
would consume about rs per cent OF
the estimated revenues for the next
fscal year, including a Federal con.
tribution of 100000, or a total OF
S31.875, 900. This would leave only
about $10,625 600. the study showed
for taking care of new developments
Objections to Bond Issue.
e, C. Brandenberg and other Off
eials Of the board voiced objection 10
the bond-issue suggestion. or an in.
crease in the gas tax, imposition OF
new taxes, or to an advance from
the Treasury and indorsed the pro
posal of the municipal finance com
mittee that only such estimates for
new developments be urged as could
be taken care Of under the $40 tax
rate.
John Joy Edison. a past president OF
the Board of Trade, made stirring
appeal for national representation for
the District Of Columbia, declaring
such representation to be the out
standing need of the District.
A resident Of the District for Ga
years, Mr.. Edison stated that he had
found one thing to be lawfully lack,
ing" in the District government. and
q thing that one day would have 10
be provided-that being a voice for
ist i<& ,.osiiantc in fheif. GOV.