Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-29
The District Bill.


appropriation bill as it passed the
House and as it was reported yester-
day to the Senate represents, in the
main, the traditional difference be-
tween the House and Senate in their
respective concepts of Federal obliga-
ton and responsibility in financing the
American Capital, in keeping with its
needs and the exclusive power of legis-
lation possessed by the Congress.
The House, appropriating the largest
sup ever appropriated for the Federal
Capital, confined the Federal share to
the inadequate, archaic and unreason-
able lump sum, inaugurated in 1925
ct 100000 and continued in the
six fiscal years since then at $9,000,-
900, In addition, the House boosted
water taxes, boosted main assess
nnentS, set In motion a plan draSti-
cally to reorganize the Districts kinder
Earten system at a saving in dollars
but at the expense of the educational
advances made in the system, figur-
enthusiasm for its own generosity and,
leveling a finger of warning at the
unrepresented taxpayers in this COM
munity, let it be known that their insist
ent demand for improving the Capital
would result in an inevitable increase
IN their tax burden.
The Senate, taking the same bill,
increased the Federal contribution by
sS!o00,000, making the lump sum
Sl2,ooo,oo0 and bringing it more nearly
70 the sum that under substantive law,
never repealed, would be appropriated
In the current bill under consideration.
The Senate eliminated the provision for
an increase in the water taxes and
main assessments, considered by the
House as the necessary step to finance
the improvement program for a water
system that now supplies free water to
the Federal and municipal governments
The Senate eliminated the House plan
for saving relatively small amount in
money by drastically recognizing the
kindergarten system and cutting down
Its teacher personnel. The Senate cut
from 100000 to 81 ,0o0, 900 the amount
Tor purchasing Municipal Center land,
and otherwise trimmed items approved
by the House in such manner that the
Pat reduction in expenditure proposed in
the bill now amounts to $l,422, 262. ELM
nation Of the New York avenue improve
ment program and elimination Of the
Monroe street overpass item are two other
important actions taken by the Senate
committee, but both of these elimina-
tons are to some extent counterbal-
anoed by authorizing the widening of
II street from Massachusetts, avenue to
Thirteenth street, instead of from
Seventh street, as the House provided,
and in substituting, through separate
legislation, the Michigan avenue widen
ing and grade-crossing proposal instead
Of the Monroe street overpasS project.
The House bill would have reduced the
Districts surplus-that is, surplus for
general expenditure-to about $875,0
The Senate bill would increase this sur
plus by the 100000 added to the lump
sum, plus the amount of reduction eff
fected by the Senate in the money to
come from the general revenues of the
District. The total surplus under the
Senate bill, therefore, would amount to
. sum in excess of $4,000, 900. This sum
WILL Of course, be available for de-
fraying the cost Of some Of the legisla-
tive demands now pending, such as the
police and firemen's pay bill. 1t should,
on the face of 1t, enable the District
to meet these demands, including the
financing Of the water system improve
ments out of the general fund, without
that drastic increase in the local tax
rate that now is threatened by the &C.
ton of the House, and possibly to
finance the Municipal Center without
resort to Treasury loan or advance.
The Senate should approve the work
Of its appropriations committee by
sending this bill to conference with the
nrm decision to stand by Its guns and
night it out along that line If it takes all
Summer. There will be changes in the
bill, naturally, and there are points that
invite sensible compromise. But the
fundamental issue that lies in the Sen
ate committees decision to increase the
Federal contribution in support of the
American Capital must not be surren-
dered.
Fair-minded members Of the House
and there are many-will insist that
this issue be decided on its merits. De-
cided on such basis, the District need
have no fear as to the outcome.