Evening star., 1928-04-17

contributions by United States for
Capital maintenance correspond TO
subventions by States 10 cities and by
United States to States combined. Dis
trict cf Columbia paid into National
Treasury as Federal taxes more than
ii took cut Of Treasury as Federal
lmmp-sum contribution. This contribu-
ton is from national taxes, 70 which
the District OF Columbia is itself a
large contributor.l
In considering the character and
amount Of the Nations expenditure OF
nine or ten millions annually for
Capital maintenance and development
Il appears that the Nation pays In
subsidies 10 some of the small States
more in proportion 20 their contribu-
tions Co national taxeS than 10 the
District Of Columbia: that other cities
receive substantial subventinns from
the Stale corresponding to that which
Washington receives from the Ma
aiarai Governments In the relation 10 Il
Of State. and that Washington con-
tribnted to the fund Of national taxes.
from which the Capital maintenance
Ynoney Is derived. more In 1924 teven
after the subtraction Of an abnormal
payment Of nine millions Of haek
taxes) than % Of the States and more
than nine States combined.
An Nations Foster Capitals.
wot 0ngy does the Nation contrib
Ute TO number Of the States great
er percentage Of the money paid by
these States In Federal taxes than Il
pays from the Districts Federal taxes
in uphnsi6ing the National Capital.
bat these expenditures upon the Ma
faon's City are more Enthusiastically
constitutional. mere distinctly appFo-
PIRATE As national 0Btizyx, and more
I'm accordance with the precedenis set
bv other nations than most Of the
subsidies paid to the amount Of hun
dreds Of millions 10 the states, Most
Of these subsidies have been vigorous
ly opposed as National ol'isys not
contemplated BY the Constitution and
net 5ustthable on their merits as ap-
pyoorlste national expenditures and
not In accordance with the procedents
ses by any ether Of The highly civil
azeo nations.
The United states. however, Is nos
seegllar among nations tn providing
Eoersliy ~ proper national expenoi-
suFe sor toe maintenance and upbIsld-
ing q ne National Capital Al the
great nations os tf1e world appropriate
Largely for thelr capitals without de-
nesng the residents of the capitals any
right or privileges, political or ta-
eicial. uhicn are en5oyed by other ma
fsonals. (see table ard comment IN
arguraesst before joint fiscal committee
IN 1918. Besnngs, Vol. !. pages 2s9
10 5l3)
Nations Peculiar Obligation.
There ss q special equitable obliga-
Den upe7n t0e Nation - maintain and
6egsle,s the Capital Tals peculiar na-
teaag obligation Is & col2b.e obligation,
extraordinary heavy - relation 70
ngton Under each head, ~ Ti9ai
arising frou ti4e circumstance of the
creation u the Capital, and ~ that
xhsch is co9pled with anc measured
by tsse Nations absolute control u
tiae Nations CITY. TIE Hation's ob-
gleatgor ~ Washington under the tlfsl
fesE se not Duplicated la tfae easA a'
any otter - tiIe world s capitals. sE-
eeayt CaHgefTs, ts4e capital -that-ls ~blJ~lgf
If alafralis. which iast yeaf began "
sgss1 ss sest Il government in respect
H. q few other capitals fNezlGo. Paris
F0 gsseuoK Aires. Athens ioon3eJ .
Bsf5afss oDsgsflgB ~ tpc heC0G6 KIND
D. reE0gG5zaG n2eAs8red 9y a9s deRfef
~ peculiar central ezefctBed ogef then
sss eseh cast by tie nation This equa'
aessle 0slllga4tgu Is Substantial In tias
eake II Mesleg and of PARIS aH6 nlucf
fligt7ter l3 11e eaBe ~ Et9 E4en9i
Ares. Afhef8g sa6 Rome Tut eyer
gfexios and Para fail fsr behind WsSn
sfgtoD lfs fHe height and BFeacth ol
tbs Glg8lRasAgt.
The true basjs " fhis Nations oh.
Agat80n ~ pF9pSrtiestats contribution
aasFafa the taAinteBaaAe aud asssisp
Iaes4t af fiie GasitaI h. a9t sSiriy ~
primarily sptsXed 0wpeTsIip VI fDts
gf1et real estate. Though . sabstsDtta
aud esHlinu9Ws obligation a0ss afisa
d. connection n1tb saeb ownership
1ns strongest 1bilgalAa resting np9l
ths Nation are equitable iH their M
amre aad baAsa primarily sn tbe eiF
eusssstanefs ~ the Capitals efestigl
sn6 the lreatmsaf of the Capital b
the Nation ssT since fine birth 0f ia
EsasguR city.