Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-06

fdLDIHI W EejHtsUdNIDHdi plbgsf ~
from the irnpoteut local partner. the
District taxpayers.
(e) 1t taints with bad faith and hurt
fuI injustice the Districts new or.
canic act Of 1922.
The understanding when the act Of
June 20. 1922. was agreed upon by
House and Senate viewed that act as
a compromise measure, disposing for
many years OF our troublesome fiscal
relation issues. The Districts contri-
button toward Capital upbuilding was
increased from 30 To 50 per cent: It's
tax rate on intangible personally
was increased GG % per cent, and
the foundation WaS laid Though In
tent to increase was disclaimed) for
increasing it's realty tax: il was de-
priVed OF exclusive credit for large
sums Of miscella neous receipts hither-
to solely enjoyed, this action infiict-
ing Il heavy loss. and it was COM
PEELED to accumulate from its tax
money Of Immediately succeeding
years ieyerv cent Of which was need
cd to meet the urgent municipal needs
Of the day. fund of millions 10 pro-
vide in advance for meeting the first
half-ycar expenses Of 1878.
In partial compensation for these
vi U9NF~ NNct~AlOsiS tI4G DbSti4JI was ~
enjoy specifically for fixe years and in
definitely thereafter che benefit Of ap-
proXimate certainty as TO its rates OF
prOportionate contribution: in order
to spare the District all controversy
for these five years over ratios and
tax rates the law in specific terms
levied in advance this tax ''for each
IF the fiscal years ending June 80.
1923, 1924, 1925, 1926 and 1927" indi-
Gated how the tax rate should he
automatically fixed and directed that
the proceeds should be applied to The
Districts 60 per cent contribution and
to the building UP by 1927 Of sur
plus TO put the District on a cash
paying basis. The District was thus
TO be spared for long period
hurtful deadlocks over ratios between
House and Senate. which anrsially
endangered the District appropria tons
and undeservedly prejudiced House
sentiment against the Capital com
munity.
Unjust and Hurtful Discrimination.
The District has been compelled 10
carry out faithfully all the provisions
OF the five'year program that mean
loss and injury TO it: but in appropri-
atng for the fiscal year 1925. Con-
gress nullified for tina; year the 500
provision OF the law OF 1922 ,the only
pledge IN The compromise distinctly
beneficial to the Districtl. by attach
ing 10 that bill the vicious and de-
moralizing iump-sum payment rider
The ali.powerfui national partner
has in each of the fiscal years since
that Of 1925 repeated this unjustiv
and discreditably discriminating exac.
ton from the impotent local partner
When Congress ceases 10 enact this
annual exception 10 the law OF 1922.
the 6o40 rates directed by that Law
will automatically operate and the
promised era OF peace. good will and
good faith will be enjoyed.
~ The vicious influence I'm the d.
rection Of Reputation and bad faith OF
the iump-sum payment practice is
further suggested in the exaction In
fun from the local partner. the Dis
trict taxpayer. OF the final payment on
the parkway connection between Po-
tomac and Rock Creek Parks. At first
the Nation paid in full for the national
parks to which IL secured title.
Then for parks at the Capital IL ex-
acted from the District taxpayers so
per cent Of the cost and later so per
cent. But in this parkway case the
final payment was made solely from
District tax money.
No o6setting Benefits for Injuries
Inflicted.
5. There are no offsetting benefits
To the injuries inflicted by the lump
SUM payment practice. All the pretiic.
tions Of evil concerning h have been
I'm NsvlAttaA e -.
benefits promised for ID has been en-
joyed.
Washington was tempted TO assent
20 surrender It's safeguard az national
nroportionatc contribution by the as,
suraace that II a fixed humps sum pay.
ment were made by the Nation, the
taxpayers would have practical con.
troll of the question Of the amount of
tax money to he raised by themselves,
ot the forms OF taxation ~ be adopted
and az the objects for which their tax
money should be spent; that since
none III their tax money came from the
Nation or national Treasury they
could. with few limitations. raise and
spend their own money 20 SuiI them
selves. dominated neither by Rudge.
bureau nor Congress.
Our experience has demonstrated
that the lump sum payment practice
has given no greater freedom in any
respect whatever from the rigid super.
vision and arbitrary control NJ Budget
bureau and Congress: that Il has no;
Increased particle the Districts
power 20 participate In its tax
Ing and appropriations legislation.
Congress Stiil has and 5ealausly eSer.
cises exclusive power 10 determine
how much IL slaaii I've taxed. IN What
forms Il shall he taxed and for wha,
purposes its tax money shalt be ex
pended
WITH gross unfaIrneSs Il gives back
80 tina Nation ~ pledge os psopor.
fionate cont sihution which accosn.
lauied national SeisUsv NJ the Capt
tails power ct SELF ya<atton wiSho9t
restoring 10 the District this self
taxing power ~ which Il had heen
deprived Its practical effect il -
place Il maximum limit on the con
,rihutlon ef Uncle Sam. who needs no
protection, and 10 remove the limit
entirely from the contribution un1ct
eemptllsien ot the ltscai taxpayers,
who, mpotent, desperately need pro
lection from tho unchecked eNartsons
az the national partner, Some W cav
Legislators AZ the time 81 the aAHi~
lioN og the lump SUM t>aNtuSn; pray
siee dlsaNowed ANY intent Ia tncFvaNe
the districts TAX burden Ivy the chanSo
az appropriation practice, and predict.
ed that there would I've tte inereasa
Other legislators frankly announced
that che ~ their purposes ia chaaS
Ins the appropriation psattISt~-a rur~
psAse Whtoh they predicted wr0td I've
accomplished ~ enable u ta>'aAs
body in which the Distract ~ not req
fesensed 10 iaeg~ase the lecal tax bus
aen at It's pleasure. unchecked hN tAe
requirement. that every such inereaSS
shall ~ reelected IN sAtte Msa sire tn
hatsenal TAXATION t>G ,apttat ulsausa'
ing,
Authorised by substantive law a.
cosless ensy 30 per cent cg MsgvsrE