Evening star., 1928-11-02
DEFENDS DISTRICT
AGAINST CHARGES
w. w. Everett Declares Pres
identiaI Nominee MiSrepre-
Sented Fiscal Status.

Declaring that injury had been done
to the cause of fiscal equity in the Dis
trict of Columbia for which Washing
tonianS have been pleading for half
century by a miSStatement OF 1actS
made in a campaign speech by one OF
the presidential nominees, w. w.
Everett. head of the Washington Board
of Trade and a member Of the Hoover
Minute Men, told the radio audlence
over Station WNfAL last night that no
Federal activity is so little understood
by the American people generally as the
administration Of the District OF
Columbia.
FOrcefuI Demonstration.
"This was forcib,y demonstrated he
said, lin the statement by candidate
now campaigning for the presidency OF
the United States in an address on the
increase in cost of Government TO the
people of the United States. He said:
Let us take the District Of Columbia,
which is a city run by the Federal
Government. In the first year of the
Harding administration it cost the peo-
pie of the country $21 ,92l 900. In 1928
it jumped to S40,058,0o0, almost 100
per cent increase
THAT is very true, so far as 1t goes
but he committed the common mistake
in omitting to state that this increase
in cost had been borne by the people OF
the District of Columbia, and that there
had been practically no increase to the
Federal Government.
False Impression Created.
"The politically exiled people of
Washington feel that such statement
as made by the presidential candidate
in the course of a campaign address
that reached the ears of millions OF
citizens throughout the country,
brought about great injury to the
cause of fiscal equity in the District OF
Columbia; for which they have been
pleading for half century. Such
statement gives the people of the nation
a false impression of the true status
here. and adds to the widespread idea
that the Federal Government pays Tor
the upkeep and support of our Capital"
Mr.. Everett pointed out that last
year the budget of the District OF CO.
lumbia amounted to $40, ,357, ,3O8. Oh
this the Federal Government paid So
600 900, and the people OF the District
of Columbia paid the balance, $3l,
3O8 But a few years ago the Federal
Government paid so per cent OF the
cost of administering the National
Capital. and at the time referred 10 IL
was paving 40 per cent. Today it pays
approximately "a per cent, the balance
being raised by taxation from the clti-
Eens of the community.
Cites U. S. Share of Expenses.
The total appropriation for the Dis
frict in 1921, Mr.. Everett said, was S22,--
295 0Q0 adding that OF TINS aInount
the United States PAID $0;sI1'0gUo:o oo d11e dnn
people of Washington paid Sl3,563 ,OOU.
In 1929 the budget amounts to S4O.3o1,-
600. The Federal Government viii pay
$4,000. 900. or only $4,000 more tnan II
maid in 1921. whereas the people OF
Washington viii pay $31 100000, or an
increase of S18,000,0 900.
''The real truth is" said Mr.. Everett,
s'that the cost of operating the NaElonaI
CAPITAL to the Federal Government IS
little greater now than In l92I. Inc
increase in cost, due to the growth,
and EXPANSION and development OF
washington. is being borne by the clti-
zens of the community despite the TACT
that 40 per cent of Washington's area
is non-taxable owing to Federal owner
ship.
Federal Taxation at High Mark.
an addition to this tax burden, the
local citizens contribute great sums OF
money to the National Government
GQrOuGn pdyulCA4t Va
PAYMENT of these Federal taxes by the
CITY of washington exceeds the amount |
paid by % states and is greater. than
the combined amount paid by nine OF |
the smaller states.
Last year. in addition to approx |
inately S31 ,Oo0, 900 in local taxes, Wash
ingtonians paid to the Government $l8,-
227,332 in Federal taxes.
"It is my sincere hope that more |
accurate information and knowledge. OF
fhe affairs of the District of Columbia |
viii be evidenced on the part of those
whose duty it is to be acquainted with
the true facts"