Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-06
ASSUMPTION OF 100000 DOLE
FOR D. C. DISAppROVED BY BOARD
Trade Body Recommends That Commits
sioners Abandon Practice of Antici-
pating u. S. Funds in Budget.

tai Park and Planning Commission
pointed out that the stand of the Board
of Trade follows closely the view taken
by the late Senator Hoar. that a COM
mission should be appointed to ascer-
tain definitely the fair tax burden for
the District and then to leave to Con-
greSs to appropriate funds for the re-
manning needs, whether the figure be
large or small, and without concerning
what proportion be paid by the Federal
or local taxpayers.
improvements Urged.
Strengthening its argument with
mass of figures the Board of Trade in
Guided in its report en- the budget a
list of needed improvements in the Dis
trict not included in the estimates for
the fiscal year 1929-30. due to the
necessity of limiting the total amount
of the appropriations sought. Appro-
priationS needed for these improve
ments would total about S90.000.000.
These included estimates of $l.500,000
for an airport. $l,000,0o0 for new
Farmers Market. Sl,212,000 for the
northeast boundary trunk sewer. Sl9,-
900 900 to carry out plans of the Park
and Planning Commission. $l9.000,000
W HioNioC a oitC oAAe boAAaAASS ApA NlAN
proposed new municipal center, and
many other large. items.
1t was the sentiment of the officials
of the Board of Trade that every sim
gle item requested by the city depart
ment heads was worthy and should be
granted if it would not mean that fthe
tax rate of the District. declared to be
already outrageously high, consider
ing the high property assessments in
effect here" be raised.
E. c. Bran6enburg declared that each
requested appropriation was well worth
fighting for as matter OF principle,
but that. due to the limit on District
revenues. the Commissioners must slash
them and seek increased contributions
from the Federal government. or else
approve and prepare for boost IN
local taxes.
Warning against any increase in
taxes here, the Board of Trade recon-
mendations to the Commissioners state:
Every record and every comparison
indicates that the people OF the Dis
trict of Columbia have assumed fair
tax burden, which, If increased would
bring serious economic difficulties on
the city In this respect. we desire to
record our approval of the Sl.70 tax
rate set by the Commissioners for the
ensuing year and to express our belief
that. in face of the tremendous assess
nents on real estate here. as compared
with other cities, and In face of rec
ords and statistics, this tax rate COM
pares favorably with other cities OF
smaller size.
Plea for Development.
we recommend that the budget for
sLa fn9o-10 ficral hn M alter
than Sal. 288,O82.
We urge the Commissioners of the
District to work vigorously for a larger
appropriation toward the upkeep and
DEVELOPMENT of the National Capital
from Congress.
THE development of the National
Capital is not progressing, but rather is
slipping backward. and this to an alarm
ing degree: and we can, in all fairness
to every one concerned, lay this SAD
condition of affairs to the fact that we
have not been able TO bring Congress
to the realization that the Federal con-
tribution should be larger. The people
of Washington, restricted IN almost
every condition. both politically ana
economically, assume the increasing
burden year after year, while the Fed
eral Government contribution has been
limited to but $4,000 ,000."
Urging the adoption of five-yeaE.
budget plan for the District, the Board
of Trade states: 1T is plainly evident
that the maintenance and development
of great city cannot be handled In
the same manner as appropriations
are made for various governmental ac-
tivities, which can be increased or cur
tailed at will 1t seems to us that to
throw all the affairs of this great city
into the general hopper of Federal leg
islation and appropriation is great
mistake and the worst possible method
of handling the affairs of municipal
ity. It is unscientific and the present
methods pursued, particularly in ref
erence to the financing Of the Federal
seat of Government, is In almost every
phase contrary TO every modern and
efficient procedure of municipal admin
iStration.
IF 1t is impossible for Congress to