Evening star., 1928-05-18
GRIFFIN ATTACKS
LUMP P-SUM PLAN
Says u. S. Should Not Be
Limited in Appropriations
for D. c. Expenses.

Stressing the duty resting upon the
United States as a whole to make a
fair and adequate contribution towards
the upbuilding of the National Capital
Representative Griffin of New York de-
clared in statement issued today that
the Federal Government should not be
limited or bound by an inexorable
formula in the making OF appropriations.
Attacking the lump-sum plan as ap-
proved finally by the Senate yesterday
when it gave in to the demands of the
House, and also voicing objections TO
the 60-40 plan of apportionment. Mr.
Griffin declared that in lieu OF the
adopted policy the Federal Government
should vary the amount OF its contTi-
button "in accordance with the work to
be accomplished. taking into considera-
ton the ratio between strictly Federal
and strictly District Improvements, and
also making allowance for the fact that
this is the Capital of the Nation, in
which every American takes profound
pride"
I'm arriving at fair ratio" he said.
"the Congress of the United States
should not take a small or picayune at
titude. but do everything in its power
TO promote its development into the
most beautiful capital of the world"
"If the lump sum of $4,000 900 Is
guess work. which even its proponents
admit" he pointed out. the fixing of
any arbitrary percentage or ratio Is
equally amenal,le TO the same criticism.
Urges Fair Ratio.
'The real question then is the de-
- If EHN2
eral contribution which will be fair to
the taxpayers OF the United states as
well as TO the taxpayers Of the District,
he said.
"I think the proponents of both meth
DDS of apportionment viii candidly adj
nit that in our present state OF dark
ness as to the many complicated fac
tiong entering into the solution Of the
problem there Is no possible way OF ex-
temporizing at this moment even
rough formula which viii be even ap-
proximately accurate.
"As a beginning toward solution. We
viii assume that We must begin with
a determination of the relative assessed
valuation of Federal and District tax
payers property-that is land and i'm
provements. Omitting an item OF $75.-
900, 900 representing embassies, churches,
pay no tax, Mr.. Griffin gave the valua-
ton of all properties in the District as
being 81 ,65T 900 900 as the basis OF
The calculation. The Federal possessions,
amounting TO S470 ,000, 600, constitute
$50 per cent of the whole. he said.
From this preliminary calculation, he
added. 1t Is hard TO escape the conclu-
sion that, using Ii alone as basis. the
Federal Government having 35 per cent
Of the total property ought 10 contribute
an amount equal to 35 per cent Of the
current appropriation.
That, however, is going too fast.
There is large amount Of the Federal
property included in the sum OF S470,-
100000. Of which. the District has the
entire or partial use" he said.
Takes Issue with Simmons.
Mr. Griffin. however. on this point,
took issue with Representative Simmons
in making allowances for Federal prop
critics used by the District. charging
that the list OF such properties, In which
Mr.. Simmons included all parks, muse
uns, monuments and bridges and even
the reservoir and pumping station "as
II the people OF the District had their
exclusive use" was an unreasonable"
contention.
A more correct list Of United States
properties and improvements here
from which the Federal Government
derives the primary use and benefit. he
said, would have grand total amount
ing 10 si02,556 1893. He listed among
such Federal properties a portion Of
the Ellipse. the Monument grounds.
Agricultural grounds. Judiciary Square
Lafayette Square, Rock Greek Park
ton. Red Cross Building, Pan American
Building. police station. Lincoln House
the City Post ONCE, Potomac PARK
Anacostia and Highway bridges and the
National Geological Park.
Inc Dlstrlct can only be said to
derive the primary use and benefit from
Feoefal property here In the amount OF
SIS, 10000 This sum for Federal
properties used primarily for the benefIt
OF the District, he said, was "a very
loerai allowance" In an endeayor
70 calculate what should bs the proper
FEDERAL contribution, ne added. If tax
OF VI 10 per hundred were levied
against the total Federal holdings of
&470 900 900, 1t would seem thaf the
Federal Government would be- liable
iof TAX OF ~, 900 800. but deductinQ
the value OF Federal property used nri-
narily by the District, a55,ii3 900 the
amount 0f Federal property for Durely
FEDERAL purposes would be s4l4gb6 400
on which the hypothetical tax would
be $7,065,060. Mr. Griffin estimated,
sees Wide Difference. I.
While these figures are subject IN
modiflcations due 10 number OF In
trieate fiscal matters, the net result
would not be materially affected, Nj.
Grimm contended. This result, how
ever, he added. Is a far cry from the
ngufs ot e5,sl9.zI0. which Mr. Simmons
estimated IN recent speeches 10 be the
amount for WblciI the Federal Govern
nent would be liable II Federal Gov
eminent LaEes were taken as the basis
Tor It's contribution
The difference between the hyDo-
tbeileai Federal taxes for itg property
here and the $4,000 900 lump apprOpf,-
! alton thus represents All additional do
nation toward upbuilding of Washing
Ion ~ the Federal Capital.
"Ail viii c0neede that this eOntfi~
button II for the vague. intangible and
indefhite obligation which the Federal
| Government 0geh 10 the District as
| the site Of the Capital OF the Nation 2
| Nj Grimm pointed out that the pres
! eui lump sim contribution amounts
fn atf,tft 81 faeF nHns ~ ttxa ks1dfaf AZ