Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-06-09


duce the annual lump sum contribu
ton. that which it is tentatively max
ing in lieu of the forty per cent con
tribution directed by substantive law
If this suggestion is based upon the
principle that the national and local
tax, contributions toward National
Capital upbuilding are in law and in
equity definitely related and must in
fairness increase or decrease together
then the suggestion is sound. But il
an increase Of the local tax contribu
ton by an increase either of rate or
assessment valuation is to mean not
corresponding increase, but CORE
spending decrease of the national con.
tribution. then the suggestion is fal.
lacious and threatens vital injury.
We know tina a few of our nation.
al-local legislators on Capitol Hill plan
by imposing increasingly heavy tax
burdens upon the local taxpayers to
raise the local tax revenue to figure
which, they will claim, renders un-
necessary any financial participation
whatever by the Nation IN municipal
maintenance of the Capital. In view
of this condition local advocacy of or
assent to excessive .ncreas SEES in local
taxes, not accompanied by correspond
ing increases of the national contribu-
ton. is suicidal. Instead of making
,>rnr,o&,ra ord nopoaaScarv commit
tails concerning future tax rates, the
task clearly cut out for us is to con-
vince Congress that as long as the
experiment of a lump-sum contribu-
ton continues in operation equity de-
nlands that this lump sum shall be
flexible, decreasing or increasing in
approximate relation to the decrease
or increase of local tax revenues and
of total capital revenues and appro-
priations.
The argument for an immediate in.
crease Of the lump-sum payment is
convincing.
We Of Washington urge: "a That
existing substantive law authorizes
Increase uf the nine million lump
sum payment .p to an amount equal
70 40 per cent of the total sum car.
ried by the bin if the appropriations
subcommittee and committee wish to
recommend 1t, (2) That the amount
OF the annual lump-sun payment
should be increased in some roughly
approximate relation to the increase
OF the District budget. If justice re-
quires the Nation to contribute so
much when the Districts annual bud
get IL so much, the same justice re.
quires it to contribute more when
the District budget is doubled. The
practical suggestion is that the
amount Of the fixed payment should
be readjusted if there is any notable
nual expenditure. An immediate in
crease of the basic lump-sum appro-
priation of nine millions would, for ex-
ample, be in just relation to the stead.
ily increasing current taxes and an.
nual expenditures, and would also
take into account the additional tax
burden imposed upon Washington real
estate through the Governments con.
demnation of millions of private prop
erty for public use and it's transfer
from the tax.paying to the exempt
list
81 The amount of annual payment
should be increased specifically in
proportion to national projects includ.
ed In the District appropriation bill.
Whether or not there is a general re.
adjustment of the lump-sum contribu-
ton, there should be specific increases
in that sum, representing in each
year the placing in the District bud
get OF primarily national projects
which it is conceded should be paid
for wholly or in part from the Ma
tional Treasury, but which by inclu
sion in the District bill and under the
lumpsum payment plan as practi.
cally applied are paid .;olely by the
District taxpayers from current taxes
A separate and distinct increase oil
the basic nine or ten millions should
be made to prevent Congress from
violating its own statutory provisions
that the Nation shall contribute in
large and definite proportions to the
appropriations for certain great ma
tional or semi-natio al projects, as
for example the appropriation for eX
penditures under the jurisdiction OF
the National Capital Park and Plan
ming Commission. The law provides
in respect to appropriations for this
confessedly national project that the
Nation shall pay its definite proper
ton of total expenditure. If Congress
makes appropriations for this nationa
project without providing for nationa
participation in the cost on the sixty
forty basis, which is the existing
statutory ratio of substantive law, Of
by making a specific lump-sum In
crease of the basic lump-sum appro
priation, in lieu of the definite pro
portion which the law directs, boil
the letter and the spirit of the Law
will be violated and the inequity viii
result Of exacting entirely from TIN
local taxpayers funds for a nationa
project, which may, in the discretion
Of the commission, be expended out
side of the District in Maryland an
Virginia.
The Park Commission law clearl
0ontempiates land provides) that III
authorized annual appropriation Of
Vaiilion dollars shall be made. 5000, 90
&rcm the District revenue and S400.
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