Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-06-09

District of Columbia appropriations for
the fiscal year 1925 amounted to $3l,-
183,l52.28. In the opinion of the Sen
ate conferees, in all fairness, this ques-
ton resolves itself into a problem of
simple proportion. II 100000 was fair
and just Of $3I 1888, 1929 appropriations
would be fair and just of approximately
$43 100000 appropriations for the fiscal
year 1891?
40 If 100000 was fair and just
for the fiscal year 1925, would the same
amount be fair and Just for 1881. The
value of the property of the United
States having increased many millions
Of dollars since the fiscal year 1925?
Projects of Improvement.
"3. There are also to be considered
in connection with the justification for
an increase in the Federal contribu-
ton certain projects of improvement
which will run into many more millions
of dollars. For instance, the municipal
center, the municipal airport, an armory
for the National Guard. new Center
Market, Childrens tuberculosis SAM
tarium. new bridges. including the re-
placement of the Calvert Street Bridge,
new Jail buildings. extension of the
Supreme Court Building, additional
buildings for Gallinger Hospital, sewage
treatment work improvement of the
water front along the Washington
Channel of the Potomac River. build
ings for the National Geological Park.
branch library sites and bu ldings, and
Others All of these improvements have
been recommended to the Commission
ers during the past year or two. and
some of them are already authorized
by law. At a very rough estimate,
these improvements would cost between
S35 900 900 and s40,000000. The ques-
ton arises. where is all this money
coming from? The action OF the SEN
ton for the fiscal year 1891 from
IS, 900, 0O0 to $12,0OO.000 is a partial
answer"
Deprived Of Revenues.
~. Since the limits of the District
are forever fixed, it follows that each
year the building operations and the
condemnation of private holdings force
an expansion into Virginia and Mary
land, and this results in finally depr1v-
ing the District of certain sources. OF
revenues.
THE exemptions Of various classes
of property, including the holdings OF
the United States. are so great tnat
they point to some compromising rev.
enue from the United States. Their
value, based on a fair estimate, shows
that they are far in excess Of the usual
needs of exempt property in an ordi-
nary city.
1.-THE chief means of livelihood OF a
majority of the population is depend
ent on, the pay roll Of the United States
Government, and it will naturally follow
that an excess in taxation will have
depressing effect on these employees OF
the United States, who are forced 10
contribute to the support Of National
CITY.
"The Capitals development should
not be confined to certain sections or
narrow limits, but should be extendeo
with great uniformity over the entire
District.
For Beautiful Capital.
president Coolidge, in one OF his
messages to Congress, thus expressed
his feelings regarding the Capital City;
of our country wishes to compete
with others. let it not be in the support
of ornaments. but in the making OF
beautiful Capital City. Let us express
the soul of America. Whenever an
American is at the seat of his Govern
ment, however travelled and cultured
he may be, he ought to find a city OF
stately proportion, symmetrically laid
out and adorned with the best that
there is in architecture, which would
arouse his Imagination and stir his
patriotic pride. In the coming years
Washington should be not only the art
center of our own country, but the art
center of the world. Around it should
center all that is best in science. in
learning, in letters and in art
This ideal condition can be accom-
plished only by the fostering care OF
Congress
(Signed)
SENATOR HIRAM BINGHAM
SENATOR CARTER GLASS
SENATOR ARTHUR CAPPER
SENATOR LAWRENCE c. PHIPPS
SENATOR JOHN B. KENDRICK."