Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-06-23
TRADE BODIES Join
IN PROTESTING TAX
Oppose Rate Above $1.65 on
Basis of 20 Per Cent Boost
in D. c. Assessment.
Continued from FIRST Pase)

sioners the formal statement of the
Joint committee, which stated that
after full consideration of the esti-
mated needs Of the District depart.
ment heads and of the estimated reve-
nues from taxation. it was unanimous
" voted that the joint committee pro-
tests strongly against any increase in
the tax burden" for the fiscal year
| 1928.
Mr.. Graham pointed out that Con
gress. IN making an appropriation of
| but 50 900, 900 as the Federal Govern
ment contribution toward the cost of
| the operation of the National Capital
during the coming fiscal year, had not
provided the fun proportion of the
| burden. established when the $1,000
! 600 lump appropriation plan was in
| augurated Had Congress approprii
ated its full share under this plan. he
said, the sum would have been ap-
proxmately S14 100000, instead of but
50. 000, 900.
The decline in the Federal contribu-
ton. he said. makes 1t all the more es'
sential that the tax burden assessed
against District property holders be
held down to the minimum. tax
rate of SI.65, he asserted. would be the
nay under the boost in assessed ralua-
ton.
VIII Oppose High Tax.
Decision of the three trade bodies
to make a a determined protest TO
the District Commissioners against
the establishment of tax rate for
the ensuing fiscal year higher than
S165 per 500 assessed valuation on
real estate was reached late yesterday
at an extraordinary session of a joint
committee of officials of the three
bushes groups. held in the offices of
the chamber in the Homer Building.
Aroused over the grave danger" to
the commercial stability of the Dis.
trict of Columbia which was declared
TO be arising from the increasing tax
burden placed on. the shoulders of
local residents. the joint committee.
while considering the estimates of the
department heads for the fiscal year
192S-29, went on record opposing
tax rate of more than S1.65 for the
1928 fiscal year, which the Commits
sioners now are about to set
Banding together TO present a
united request to the city heads and
to Congress on both tax and budget
matters, the representatives of the
three groups unanimously adopted
resolution calling on the Commission
ers to limit the tax rate for the en-
suing fiscal year to $1.65 at the most,
and also formulated plans for drafting
similar statement concerning the
tax rate for the 192S-29 fiscal year.
The latter proposal is to be made in
conjunction with suggested cuts in
the $50 1000, 900 budget which has been
proposed by the departmental heads.
Point to Larger Revenue.
A tax rate of 81 IS for the coming fis-
cal year, speakers pointed out, would
produce, on the basis of the 20 per
cent boost in the realty assessment.
which goes into effect July j, more
revenue than that which accrued
under the $3.50 rate for the current
year and would be ample to cover
the S39 900. 900 budget which has been
appropriated for the coming year.
In order to get quick action on the
tax rate matter, the joint committee
delegated the presidents of the three
trade groups to appear before the
Commissioners today to make formal
presentation Of the request to limit
the rate for the coming year.
Daniel j. Donovan, District auditor,
appeared before the session by spe-
cial request to describe the process
employed by the city government in
arriving at the tax rate and in formu-
lating the proposed budget He was
closely questioned by members of the
joint committee as to surplus revenue
which has accrued in past years.
Opposition Expressed.
Strong opposition was voiced by of.
ficials of the groups against the rails
ing of any revenue beyond actual
needs: Speakers pointed out the great
difficulty that was experienced in re-
cent years in obtaining for District
use a fund of approximately
SIS 900 900, which piled up in the Fed
eral Treasury from such surplus rev.
enues.
Mai. Donovan explained that under
an act of Congress provision was made
during the past several years for an
excess amount which was necessary
to place the District on a cash basis
during the interim between the begin
ming Of fiscal year and the actual
collection of taxes from District resi-
dents.
Following pledges of cooperative
action by the representatives of the
three groups, the joint committee di.
LCSLCh THAI a SldLciIlSHt 1OI
heavy reductions in the $50.000,000
budget estimates of the department
heads and for the establishment of
tax rate not in excess of $1.65 for
the fiscal year 192S-29 be drafted by
the following subcommittee:
Subcommittee Named.
Edwin C. Graham and Joshua
Evans, jr, representing the Board of
Trade; Martin A. Leese and Ivan &.
| Weld, representing the Washington
Chamber of Commerce, and Gen.
Anton Stephan and John II. Hanna,
representing the Merchants and Manu-
tacturers Association. This committee
Is TO meet in the offices of the cham
Der at o'clock tomorrow afternoon.
Speakers at the meeting yesterday
gave their Endorsement to the recon-
mendations as presented to the Dis
trict Commissioners Tuesday by the
Board Of Trade. which set the total
estimates at approximately s43,500,.
OUO ana the tax rate at not more than
Sl.6o, and it is expected the joint
recommendations will be along these
| lines. The Board of Trade left largely
to the city heads the selection Of the
items which can with least harm be
slashed from the proposed budget.
Opposition to the Citizens Advisory
Council as the authorized Spokesman