The Washington times., 1928-07-07
Struggling Over the Next
District Budget
Unless Congress Changes It's Attitude There Will Be an
Increased Tax Rate Serious Checking OF
Municipal Expansion

F far greater Importance than the citizen OF
Washington realizes is the struggle Of the District Com
issioners aided by the Advisory Council and the Board OF
Trade to reduce the budget estimates for the next fiscal year
total that win prevent increase in the tax rate Of $17O
per 500.
To avoid an increased rate from now it VIII be
necessary that municipal estimates shall be trimmed to the
bare necessities Of municipal functions leaving little for
expansion and public improvements
This untimey situation dangerous to the future develop
uet Of this great National Capital has faced the Commits
soners and District people Tor several years. though now
= i The result Of the unfair unjust attitude Of Congress-
more especially House Of Representatives that viii not
contribute beyond lump Of $9O00OOO annually as the
Federal Governments part in the upkeep and progress OF the
Federal governments own Federal City.
No matter how much money be needed for development
and Identification this city belonging to the whole nation
the Federal Governments fiscal participation ceases at the
ne people 81 the District Of Columbia must make up the
remainder taxes and in the next fiscal year. tnat remainder
viii Be not less than $30500000 making total budget Of
$Se5OO,OOO.
This total contains nothing for many necessary public
improvements including new Police Court building 9
building for the Recorder OF Deeds extension OF the PUBIC
Lirary system new houses and many other things
does not include sufficient funds for the public school system
for policemen and fremen Il includes little that hints
Of proper expansion for Washington
The Commissioners can not blamed for holding the budget
within the total Of $3o6OOOOO that be raised BY the
present tax rate and the 100000 Once the Commissioners
get the habit increasing tax rates they will be compelled
to 60
The end Of this fight Is seemingly Tar away Gnere y
Ia Be suitable financial provision for important permanent
improvements they only be made by Congress rghfuy
increasing its Of funds by the imposition upon the
taxpayers Of higher tax rates and higher property valuations
The normal growth Of Washington normal increase
the cost of municipal functions The present tax rate may
take care Of municipal necessities upkeep along conservative
lines but Washington should stand still It's great future
should be anticipated It's expansion should not be hand
capped The Federal Government should be more keeny
interested in expansion and Identification than the average
taxpayer Yet the Government represented by congress-
is not It does not whether progress stops al
together only interested at this time in forcing higher
rates OF taxation upon District citizens.
vital principle at stake It that there should be
reasonable limit to the financial burdens the taxpayers Of
washington must bear in caring financial needs Of the
nations Capital City and that the Federal Government should
not as it is doing and has been doing for years limit It's
own responsibilities in the maintenance of expanding
Federal City.