Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-06-28
FAIR TAX DIVISION
ASKED FOR DISTRICT
Joshua Evans, Jr., Explains
to Nation Why Residents
Here Protest.

"All that the people of washington
Hurge is that they be asked to carry a
fair tax burden and to pay fair share
toward the upkeep of their city and
the National Capital, aud that ex-
Extraordinary expenses, due to the fact
THAT this is the National Capital, over
land above what is a fair tax burden,
be met by the Federal Government"
rs This was the gist of an address
broadcast last night over Station
WNdAL by Joshua Evans, jr., vice
president of the District National
II Bank and chairman of the municipal
finance committee of the washington
n Board of Trade, who branded the pres
"a ent situation as injustice to the peo-
\ pie of Washington" MIR. Evans urged
II Americans everywhere to support the
y resolution of the board, which has
asked Congress to authorize the Presi-
\ dent of the United States to appoint
( a committee of nationally known econ
Z omists, financiers and business men to
study the fiscal relations of the District
\ of Columbia and the Federal Govern
ment in respect to the National
Capital"
Traces Fiscal History.
Mr.. Evans traced the history of fiscal
relations beginning with period of no
support by the Federal Government
down through the period OF 30 per cent
support to the present, when he said
the Federal Government was paying
only about 25 per cent, with citizens
and taxpayers making up the re-
mainder, rs per cent.
h0th prnSidprf Coil
idge and President Hoover concerning
the significance and Importance of the
National Capital city, the speaker also
broadcast the conclusions of the con-
gressional select committee of 1856
as follows:
Our unanimous conclusion is that
the rate of taxation in the District
should be fixed and certain; that the
Congress should pursue definite
policy of regular and liberal appropri-
atoms, having in view not only the
permanent moral and physical advance
ment of the city, but also its pre-eini-
nent beauty and grandeur as the
municipal expression of the Nations
home and its peoples pride.
Program National in Scope.
''But some people will say" continued
Mr.. Evans, that the Federal Govern
ment has already entered upon build
ing program for the City of Washing
ton upon which millions of dollars will
be spent from the Federal Treasury
during the next few years. But it must
be borne in mind that this building
program is national in scope, and, while
Washington shares generously in its
provision, it is quite incumbent upon the
Government to house its officials and
employees in buildings of dignity, where
the working conditions will be beyond
criticism and credit to this great Ma
ton. 1t is true that those buildings
will add to the beauty of Washington
On the other hand, they will make for
more efficient administration of the
Governments business. And we should
remember that Washington taxpayers
are making their contribution to this
program through the Federal taxes
paid. Our Federal income taxes alone
are greater than those of any of the
following States: Arizona, Idaho, Mis-
SiSSippi, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico,
North Dakota, Utah, Vermont and
Wyoming.
Ask Only Fair Share.
at is not the purpose of the citi-
zens of Washington to avoid their just
responsibility as taxpayers. We do not
expect that we are to be let OF lightly,
but we do expect fair play. All that
tile pcOp4c "a washington urge Is CIlaG
they be asked to carry a fair tax burden
and to pay a fair share toward the
upReep of their city and the National
Capital, and that extraordinary ex-
penses due to the fact that this is the
National Capital, over and above what
is a fair tax burden, be met by the
Federal Government.
I'VE want this long-standing and
pickering controversy Of years to be
IAl 10 ka
manner, based on economies and Just
principles. We feel that this is a fair
request and we solicit the cooperation
of every citizen of the United States
interested in his National Capital to
see that this is done.
1.-The need for such commission may
not seem matter of necessity to those
who are not fully acquainted with the
intricate details that enter into this