Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-22
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MARYLAND and Virginia.
AN Other States and Canada.
Member of the Associated Press.
A Champion of Equity.

1t is highly encouraging to the Dis
trict, in its struggle to gain political
and fiscal equity, to hear Senator Wes-
ley L. Jones Of the State of Washing
ton, in urgent advocacy of both causes.
In his address before the Washington
Chamber of Commerce Tuesday night
he declared his championship of ma
tional representation and of the fixed
ratio principle in appropriations for
the maintenance of the National Capt.
tai. Senator Jones has always been
the Districts good friend. and in both
respects he has been unwavering in
his support. His earnest and open
avowal of faith before the citizens Of
the District is particularly helpful at
this time. especially in view Of his po-
sition as one of the most active and
influential members of the upper
house Of Congress.
Senator Jones puts the case for
fiscal equity on the ground that the
Capital is the direct responsibility of
the country and not OF the people Of
the District. The residents of Wash
ington. he said. should, of course. bear
o fair tax burden, and they are doing
so. but the Capital is peculiarly a ma
fional problem. THE people of the
Nation" he says. regard it as their
responsibility"
Full acquaintance with the situa-
ton enables Senator Jones to speak
authoritatively on the subject of the
Districts tax burden and the need of
an assured regular and proportionate
contribution by the general Govern
ment. He points out that Washing
ton is by deliberate policy deprived of
the natural business activities found
in other cities. where they produce
great revenues; that Washington has
wider streets and avenues, more
parks and tax-exempt space and other
features for the benefit Of the Nation
as whole than other communities.
and that equity demands that the
United States should bear share of
the cost OF maintenance, not in arbi-
trary minimum amount, but in ratio
to the whole.
On the point Of taxation in the city
Of Washington Senator Jones. with
specific knowledge Of conditions else
where, notes that the assessment basis
here Is high and that the tax burden
per capita is likewise high, citing In
stances Of which he has personal
knowledge to show that this is not the
case elsewhere.
The sixty-forty ratio, which Is now
the substantive law, was established
some years ago In substitution for the
flfty-fifty ratio Of the organic act of
1878. on the basis of report of the
joint committee of the House and SEN
ate which made an exhaustive study
OF the question. No equitable reason
has ever arisen for the change from
the ratio to the lump sum plan. The
cost Of that change has been heavy
one to the District. In the opinion of
Senator Jones return should be made
to the ratio plan to prevent further
injustice to the taxpayers Of Washing.
ton and to assure balanced appropria.
tons which will provide adequately
for the maintenance and development
of the Capital without imposing an
unequal and ruinous weight upon the
community.
These heartening words by one who
through long service in Congress and
present position in the Senate is quail
ned to speak authoritatively. raise the
hopes OF Washington that Congress
viii at this session return to the sub
stantive law in acting as the Districts
taxing and appropriating body. and
thus do equity to the community over
which 1t is by the Constitution placed
as guardian.