Evening star., 1928-03-26

payment exception in practice to the
60-40 provision of substantive law. and
permit the 60-40 provision of the law
of 1922 to go automatically into effect,
this Injustice will be corrected.
Paralyzes Permanent Improvements.
Id 1t paralyzes all great and costly
permanent improvements and all
loans for such improvements by Gre
ating in the community reasonable
distrust whether the National partner
in financing the Improvements and
repaying the loans will not exact
every cent of payment for primarily
National or semi-National projects
from the impotent local partner. the
District taxpayers.
lei It taints with bad faith and hurt
full injustice the Districts new or
ganic act of 1922.
The understanding when the act of
June %, 1922. was agreed upon by
House and Senate viewed that act as
compromise measure. disposing for
many years OF our troublesome fiscal
relation issues. The Districts contri~
button toward Capital upbuilding was
increased from so TO 60 per cent: its
tax rate on intangible personality
was increased 66 2-3 per cent. and
the foundation was laid (though in
tent to increase was disclaimedl for
increasing Its realty tax: 1t was de-
prived Of exclusive credit for large
sums OF miscellaneous receipts hither-
TO solely enjoyed, this action infiict-
ing a heavy loss, and 1t was COM
PEELED TO accumulate from its tax
money OF present years (every cent
OF which was needed TO meet the urgent
municipal needs Of today a fund of
millions to provide in advance for meet
ing tht first half-year expenses OF
1928 ind of subsequent years.
In prtial compensation for these
drastic eXactionS the District was 10
enjoy 81 ecifically for FIVE years and in
definitely thereafter the benefit Of ap-
proximate certainty as to its rates oi
proportionate contribution: in order tc
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 of the
fiscal years ending June 30, 1923, 1924,
1925, 1925 and 1927" indicated how the
tax rate should be automatically fixed
and directed that the proceeds shoulc
be applied to the Districts go per cent
contribution and to the building up bv
1927 Of surplus TO put the District on
cash paying basis. The District was
thus 10 be spared for a long period
hurtful deadlocks over ratios between
House and Senate, which annually en-
dangered the District appropriations
and undeservedly preiudiced House
sentiment against the Capital com
munity
Unjust and Hurtful Discrimination.
The District has been compelled to
carry out faithfully all the provisions
Of the five~year program that mean
loss and injury TO It; but in appropriat-
ing for the fiscal year 1925 Congress
nuliified for that year the 60-40 pro-
vision OF the law OF 1922 (the only
pledge In the compromise distinctly
beneficial To the DISTRICT by attaching
10 that bill the vicious and demorallz-
Ing iump-sum payment rider
The all-powerful National partner
has IN each of the fiscal years since
mat of 1928 repeated this uniustly and
discreditably discriminating exaction
from the impotent local partner.
When Congress ceases To enact thie
annual exception 10 the law Of 1922
the 60-40 rates directed by that law
win automatically operate and the
! promised era Of peace, good will and
| good faith will be enjoyed
~ The vicious Influence In the d.
rection of repudiatlon and bad faith of
me iump-sum payment practice Is fur
/ tber suggested IN the exaction in fun
| from The local partner. the District tax
payer of the final payment on the park So
| way connection between Potomac and
| Rock Greek Parks At first the Nation
| paid In full for the National parks 10
which II secured title Then for parks
| al the Capital II exacted from the Dis
| tFict taxpayers 30 per cent of the cost
! and later 90 per cent. But in this park -