Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-23
Chairman of Subcommittee
Also Explains Failure to
Raise Salaries.
DECLARES U. S. is PAYING
MORE THAN OBLIGATION
Argues Washington Is Undertaxed
in Comparison With Other
Cities of Country.

Chairman Simmons of the subcom-
mittee that drafted the District appro-
pr1ation bill argued in the House TODAY
in support of the s9.OOO.O0O lump sum
contribution by the Federal Government
for support of the National Capital, ex-
planning the position of the committee
regarding the failure to make a second.
year appropriation for bringing the
salaries of District employees up to par
with other agencies of the Federal
Government, and insisting that "as
rapid progress is being made in the
school building program as is war
ranted."
Hit by Casey.
Following Mr.. Simmons, Representa-
tive Casey, Democrat, of Pennsylvania,
also member of the subcommittee
charged that the House appropriations
committee has broken its pledge to
District employees under a two-year pro-
gram of salary increases started last
year; that 5000 school children, who
must attend part-time classes are being
robbed of an education and that the
"a
tional scandal.
Mr.. Casey told his colleagues not to
be deceived" by the statements made
by Chairman Simmons on the District
Dill. He said he did not know who
wrote the bill or who wrote the report,
that he had not been invited to sit in
on conferences on the items, that the
subcommittee had little to do with the
report, and that the first he saw of it
was in full committee session the day
it was reported to the House He de-
clared that the school situation, with
lack of adequate accommodation for all
children. 'is a real tragedy"
MIR. Casey denounced the lack of
adequate sewers here and declared that
Congress ought to protect the health
of the people.
Representative Holiday of Illinois
followed Mr.. Casey with strong de-
fense of the committees work and out
lined its plan for improving sanitary
conditions east of the AnacoStia River,
eliminating pollution in Rock Greek and
extending public school facilities.
Discussing the recent report Of the
United States Bureau OF Efficiency on
the fiscal relations between the Federal
Government and District taxpayers, MIR.
Simmons said that two conclusions are
readily drawn:
First, that the United States Is
not only fully meeting and paying every
obligation that could possibly come to
it were 1t taxpayer, but in addition Is
contributing over and above all that a
considerable and generous sum and
more than meeting its obligations to-
wards the Capital City.
Second, that the City of Washington
| is not only not overtaxed, but, in fact,
is undertaxed in comparison with other
cities. That the low taxes here have
not resulted in an undernourished city,
but that, on the contrary. Washington,
when compared with other cities, is de-
veloping in all its city activities without
undue curtailment of funds"
Lists Federal Aid to d. C.
He lists as other Federal aids which
the Bureau of Efficiency report did not
include-use of buildings and lands
owned by the United States, other United
State property turned over to he Dis
rict. services of 10 Army officers, serv-
ices for other Federal agencies, such as
the Bureau Of the Budget. and the fact
that the Government maintains here
the largest business in the world. He
holds that Washington, due to the To-
cation here of the seat of Government,
is the only city in America that Is as
Sured Of permanent and enduring
prosperity"
Mr.. Simmons makes a calculation of
his own which puts the tax liability of
the Federal Government in the District
of Columbia at $6,551 ,003 rather than
at S7,440.939 as estimated by the Bu-
reau of Efficiency. He also figures that
'the United States. owning but 222
per cent of the property" through the
lump-sum contribution of $9,O00.000
pays % per cent of the total paid
from general revenues"
Mr.. Simmons refuteS the statement
that the District is compelled to furnish
free water to the United States work.
shop by emphasizing that the water
system Is a self-Supporting enterprise,
in which the United States and the
District are joint owners. the United
States having made a capital invest
ment of $12.31l ,887.66 and the District
$10.383 .03693, and that on the basis
of water used the United States gets a
return on its investment of 2.O4 per
cent and the District return Of 7.46
per cent.
Discuss Efficiency Bureau Report.
Mr.. Simmons spoke in part as follows:
Last year in my discussion of this
bill / went at length into the subject
of fiscal relations between the United
States and the District Of Columbia.
IT does not seem necessary to take the
time of the House for such a detailed
statement at thisNtime, will, how
ever. discuss briefly the Bureau of Ef-
ticiency report on fiscal relations. and
briefly outline the situation as 1t is af.
fected by this bill.
ON January IL, 1929, presented To
the House the report of the Bureau Of
Eftclency on fiscal relations between
the United States and the District of
Columbia. This report was made Al
the request of the late Martin 3. Mad
den, chairman Of the committee on an
preparations. The Bureau of Efficiencv
nad but one instruction, to report facts
10 the Congress. Mr.. Madden believed
that the Congress knew the facts he
neVed That the United States was deal
ing not only justly but literally with
the District of Columbia. He welcomed
any fact not known, believing that the
congress In the possession of the facts
would fairly decide this issue. Various
studies have heretofore been made by
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