Evening star., 1928-04-02
The Senate and the District.

Senator Phipps' expression OF conf
dence tfa. the Senate will pass the
District appropriation bill In the form
In which it was reported by the COM
mittee on appropriations. carrying the
provision for a definite proportion ratio
of Federal contribution to the Capital
maintenance instead Of the lump sum,
Is an encouragement to the Districts
hopes for fiscal equity at this session of
Congress. IT is based upon the policy
and practice pursued by the Senate
heretofore in this matter. Consistently,
the Senate has adhered to the substan-
tive Law In respect to the division Of
Capital expense, holding to the prin-
ciple that it is the duty of the United
States to contribute uniformly and de-
pendably in proportion to the amount
raised by the District in taxation, in
harmony with the declaration Of the
organic act Of 1878. as amended In
slight degree by the statute of 1922.
1t is the hope Of the District that not
only viii the Senate thus stand strongly
by the definite proportion principle in
passing the appropriation bill for the
next fiscal year, but that 1t will stand
as firmly for that principle In the con-
ference which win follow the passage of
the measure in the upper house The
real fight for fiscal equity comes In the
conference. Senator Phipps has, in a
powerful argument delivered on the
floor Of the Senate In advance Of the
reporting Of the bin, stated the case for
the District In terms which cannot be
refuted. He has made it plain that
every consideration OF fair play de-
mands that the United States keep its
agreement with the District to match
every six-tenths OF a dollar raised by
local taxation with a Federal four
tenths. He has shown that under the
fump-sum practice, adopted by the
House despite the Districts pleas and a
showing Of the inequity incident to the
denial Of the definite proportion, it is
not only possible, but an actual prospect,
that the Federal Government win di-
minish its contribution as the Districts
costs increase. even to the vanishing
point
The Capital community Is steadily
growing In population. Its needs are
increasing IN proportion to its growth.
II must have more schools, more pro-
lection. more sanitary equipment, more
administrative forces Its capacity to
bear the increasing expense OF this aug
menting organization is limited, as COM
pared with other cities. with their In
dustrial establishments and their limit
less possibilities Of financial expansion.
Its need Of Federal aid is as great to-
day as It was in the earlier days OF its
struggle 70 evade bankruptcy; IL is
even greater inaEmuch as it has gained
the point Of actual expansion following
q period Of restriction through financial
stress. The equity Of definite proper
ton Of Federal contributions is as OBJ
vious now at 1t was fifty years ago, when
Congress. after a prolonged considera-
tion OF the matter. adopted as a lead
ing feature Of the permanent" system
OF Capital maintenance the principle of
an established ratio Of Federal-District
contributions.
The Senate should, and probably
VIII In consistency adhere to its preyi-
ous declaration Of faith in the right
eouSness and the need OF fixed ratio
and should carry that adherence TO the
point OF determined opposition In con-
Terence to the lump-sum provision,
which has been formally denounced as
vicious and mischievous.