Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-23

of property. Whichever conclusion is
reached, it leaves the District taxpay-
er in an advantageous position as COM
pared with the United States.
II suggest that in view of the fact
that the 222 per cent real property
is based upon the District assessor S
figures, that the same percentage could
rightly be applied to tangible and in
tangible personal property in lieu Of
the method used which obviously
reaches a result unfair to the Federal
Government when compared with the
comparative amount paid by the Dis
| trict taxpayer on personal tangible
property. We would then have charge
| or tax of:
Real property. ........ S5,452,767
| Tangible personality. $50. 4l9,5l8
| Intangible personality 678.7l8
$6,551 ,003
ST suggest that a total tax liability
| of S6,551 .003 is far nearer correct than
is the $7,440,939 proposed by the Bu-
reau of Efficiency. This figure is some
what larger than arrived at last year,
! due to the inclusion in part of intan-
gible personality. But either figure
shows that the present contribution Of
the United States is shown to be not
only fair. but generous to the people
of the District.
Varying Percentage Disclosed.
"The report discloses that in 1915 the
Federal property, including park prop
erty, constituted 1868 per cent of the
whole. In 1923 it was but 1913 per
cent of the whole, or when park prop
erty is excluded in 1915 the Federal
property was 1872 per cent of the whole
and in 1928 but 22.2 per cent of the
whole.
payers that Congress return to per-
centage basis of contribution instead of
the lump sum now carried and that
the percentage paid by the United
States be 40 per cent or so per cent
of the total. These figures disclose the
reason for the demand and also why.
in fairness to the United States, neither
of the requests can be granted.
IF the ratio between privately owned
and Federally owned property remained
constant year after year, then the per-
centage plan of payment would be as
fair basis of contribution as the lump
sum. But the ratio does not remain
constant. The percentage of Federally
owned property is constantly de-
creasing and the percentage of pri-
vately owned property constantly is in
creasing.
Likewise these figures clearly show
why the Federal contribution has
properly decreased comparatively dur
ing the recent years that have wit
messed rapid development of private
property in the District. Demand is
made that the United States carry 40
per cent of the cost of the city gov
eminent and yet this report discloSes
that the United States owns and uses
for Federal purposes but 22.2 per cent
of the property of the District. Is 1t
fair to ask 22.2 per cent of the property
to pay 40 per cent of the taxes?
Says U. S. Carrying Share.
1.-THE lump sum contribution of
100000 carried in this bill pays %
per cent of the total paid from general
revenues, which again diScloSeS that the
United States, owning but 22.2 per
cent of the property, is carrying its full
share of the load. This is approximate
ly the same percentage as has been
paid during the past two years.
What would the 100000 Federal
contribution pay?
BASED upon this bill the $4,000, O00
contributed by the Federal Government
to the District of Columbia would pay
the cost of the police department, the
fire department, the health department,
the courts and prisons, the public
buildings and parks, including $1,000
900 for the purchase of land under the
National Capital Park and Planning
Commission, and the Zoo. There is
then left for the people of the District
to pay the general salary items, con-
tingent and miscellaneous expenses
street and road improvement and repair,
sewers, collection and disposal of refuse,
the electrical department, the schools,
the public welfare. The water service
is self-supporting. The gas tax pays
81, 100000 of the $3,7G5 100, carried in
the street and road improvement and
repair item.
Upon the items in the bill, if the
60-40 plan were in force, the District
would be called upon to pay only for
the general salaries of the city, con-
tlngent and miscellaneous expenses,
street and road improvement and repair,
public schools, the health department
and public welfare.
While the United States would be
asked to pay for the sewer system, the
collection and disposal of refuse, public
Fairgrounds, the electrical department
including all street lighting, etc, police
and fire department, courts and prisons,
parks and buildings, including the
81 100000 for new park land under the
National Capital Park and Planning
Commission and the Zoo
TO state it thus is to show how
utterly absurd and unfair it is to ask
that there be return to 60-4O.
i regret that the Bureau of Eff
cheney has not submitted to the Con-
gress tables of the various other taxes
that enter into the revenues of a CITY
and the tax cost to its citizens. I am
advised that this material will be sub
mitted and included in the main report.
Water Charge Declared Low.
In my judgment, the charge for
water in Washington is exceedingly low.
How does it compare with other cities?
The 81 car auto license cost in Wash
ington is absurdly low What do other
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