Evening star., 1927-11-28
Time Is Ripe for Change in
Plan, Colorado Sem
ator Asserts.
ZIHLMAN ALSO FAV0RS
SOLUTION BY CONGRESS
Hopes Of D. c. for New Proportion
in City Expenses Given
Impetus by Statements.

The chances Of having the incoming
Congress- consider a change in the fls-
cN relations between the United
United States and District govern
ments became brighter today when
Senator Phipps. Republican. of Colo
RADIO, chairman Of the Senate subcom-
mittee in charge Of District appropri-
ations. came out in favor Of a return
to the definite proportion basis Of pro-
viding for the Capital.
Chairman Zihlman Of the House
District committee also declared that
he would make special efforts to have
Congress reach just, equitable and
permanent solution of the fiscal re-
lations problem in the early days OF
the incoming Congress.
Time Is Held Ripe.
"I think" Senator Phipps said. "the
time has arrived when Congress
should go back to the definite proper
ton method of providing for the Dis
trict. With so much Government
building to be done. the expenses of
the city are bound to increase"
Senator Phipps indicated that he in
tends to bring up the question Of an
adequate basis Of appropriating for
the District when the annual appro-
priation bill for the next fiscal year
is being considered. The views of
Senator Phipps on this question of
such vital interest to the people of
Washington, are of special signifi-
canoe because of his position as chair
man of the subcommittee which
handles the District appropriation bill
in the Senate.
The Senator said he felt the $1,000
0OO lump sum which Congress has
been contributing as the Federal Gov
ernment's share during the past years
Is not a fair amount in relation to the
total amount appropriated. He said
he was inclined to believe the Senate
would be willing to consider more
equitable fiscal arrangement.
Returns Here Today.
Senator Phipps, who returned to
Washington today for the opening or
Congress, also expressed the belief
that the local rate Of taxation on in
tangibles is too high. He is Of the
opinion, he said. that the city would
derive a large revenue from Intangible
property if the rate was more rea.
Sonable.
Asked If he planned to introduce a
bill on that subject, Senator PhippS
pointed out that 1t was not matter
that would come within the jurisdic-
ton of the subcommittee on appro-
priations.
The Senator took occa sion also to
reiterate his belief that 1t was unfair
to the District to take part of the
city's accumulated surplus in the last
Congress for park extensions. which,
he said, should have been provided for
by the general public instead Of by
the District.
In an interview with The Star today
Mr.. Zihlman said he feels that the
House District committee Is in favor
Of a definite fixed proportion to be
paid from the Federal Treasury. in
accordance with existing law rather
than the unscientific lump-sum method
which has been employed for several
years by the Eouse appropriations
committee, under leadership of Rep
resentative Cramton of Michigan. He
feels, and believes the majority on
his committee feels, that the 60-40
proportion, determined by law, is
about right.
Careful Study Asked.
He is emphatically Of the opinion
that this long debated subject should
be settled justly. He is not disposed
to thrust his own opinion as to what
the definite proportion should be upon
either the House committee or the
House, but he feels it should be settled
after a careful consideration of all
equities involved rather than by
guessed.at sum to meet the conven-
fence Of the hour.
At the same time he feels that this
same subject of fiscal relations has
been thoroughly canvassed several
times, and the contention of the Dis
trict taxpayers that the equities call
for a definite fixed proportion has
been sustained in the reports to the
House and Senate by special and
standing committees. that have held
extensive hearings and made careful
research.
In the last session of the Sixty.
ninth Congress the House District
committee rejected the Cramton bill
in favor of a lump-sum appropriation,
and recommended passage of a bill
calling for a careful study Of all mat.
ters relating to fiscal relations, so that
a just determination might be made
of what the proportionate obligation
is as between the Federal Government
and the local taxpayers for the sup
port Of the Capital. While there will
be- some five or six changes in the
personnel of the House District COM
mittee in the incoming Congress, Mr..
Zihlman is confident the committee
will support him in his effort to get
a decision from Congress and in up
holding the fixed proportion principle.