Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-06-12
BOARD OF EXPERTS
ON FINANCE URGED
Chamber of Commerce Would
Fix Basis of Districts
Fiscal Relations.

The establishment of a commission
of experts to decide on the proper basis
for the fiscal relations between the Dis
trict of Columbia and the Federal Gov
eminent was urged last night by the
Washington Chamber of Commerce,
meeting for the last time this season,
in the May1ower Hotel.
The recommendation of the chamber
was in line with the policy for settling
financial disputes that had been put
forward by that body for the past two
years. A similar proposal was made
by Thomas Walker Page of the Insti-
tute of Economics in an address out
lining the principles of taxation and
his views as to the best methods Of OBJ
tanning revenue in the District.
Suggests Income Tax.
The fairest and surest way to obtain
municipal funds is by an income tax,
Mr. Page declared, after citing defects
in the real estate and tangible and
intangible personal property taxes and
levies on business.
High taxes on real estate discourage
home owning, high property taxes are
easily avoided and encourage evasion OF
law excessive intangible property levieS
cannot be enforced and, in addition
double taxation and business taxes do
not lie evenly on all business, Mr.. Page
pointed out in urging the adoption OF
the income tax as the best means for
obtaining municipal funds.
Pays Small Portion.
Mr.. Page said that the Federal Gov
eminent actually pays less than 20 per
cent of the budget of the District and
that, with increasing property values
here, 1t will soon be paying much less
than 20 per cent, unless the annual ap-
preparation by Congress OF $9,OOO,OOO is
increased.
MANY expenditures here are not for
the benefit of the District people" he
asserted, but for the National Govern
ment; yet the District people have to
paw a disportionate share. The con-
troyersy over the fair apportionment OF
payments between the two governments
will grow more intense in the future,
with the probability that the ALLEGATION
of expense to the District will be larger
unless the proper shares OF payment are
determined.
There are two important problems
to determine the taxable capacity OF the
District and in what proportion to that
capacity they should be taxed"
A commission of experts such as was
recommended by the chamber would be
the proper method of arriving at the
answer to these questions, he said. =.
The chamber adopted the report OF
its special committee advocating a
number of specific changes in the est1-
mates for the 1881 budget and the AVE-
wear financial program, the principal
nrovision of which was that the 1881
budget be limited to ISL 100000.
Urge Gift Acceptance.
The chamber wishes the Commits
sioners to accept the offer of Fleming
NeWbold and family and the trustees
of the George Junior Republic of rs
acre farm near Annapolis Junction,
Md. to be used for an industrial school
for boys, it was decided in a vote on
resolution addressed to the heads of the
District government.
Isaac Cans, chairman Of the commit
tee in charge Of arranging for cherry
blossom festival here next April, told
of the progress made In the plans. The
celebration will last three days, he de-
clared. On the first day there will be
displays of floats and the coronation of
the queen, and ball will be held that
night in the Washington Auditorium.
The three service bands will furnish
the music throughout the festival, he
said.
The president, Charles w. Darr, who
presided, was empowered to appoint
committee of from five to ten members
to cooperate with similar committees
of the Board of Trade and Merchants
81 Manufacturers Association for the
planning of a celebration in 1882 of
the 200th anniversary Of the birth Of
George Washington.