Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-10
The Districts Tax Revenue.


The data on tax revenue assembled
BY Assessor Richards do denote, as he
says, a growth in Washington, rapid
real estate development and improve
ment In residential and business areas
The demands of taxation, as well as
increase Of taxable resources. are nat
ural accomplishments of growth in pop
ulation and washington Is no excep-
ton.
But It Is extremely doubtful that
scientific appraisal Of all the condi-
lions entering into the extraordinary
growth in tax receipts here would en-
phasize the increase In population.
coupled with real estate improvement,
rs being mainly responsible. Mr.. Rich
ards mentions two other factors that
probably account chiefly for the growth
o. in tax receipts. One Of them Is the
increase from two-thirds to full-value
assessment in the decade since 1920.
Another Is the diminishing contribu-
ton toward Capital development and
maintenance from the Federal Gov
eminent, which, coupled with an an
nuaIly expanding demand for revenue.
has thrown upon the District the duty
Of raising the balance. 1t is only
natural that tax receipts, representing
demand for more revenue, have in
creased in q manner that Is nothing
less than amazing.
From the fiscal years 1880 to 1922,
covering q period Of ~ years, real
estate tax receipts appropriated total
of Sl5o,000, 900. Between the nscal
years 1928 and 1891, inclusive, or nine
years, District real estate has been
called upon to raise about $142,oOO.ooO.
A great increase Is also shown In the
collection of personal property taxes,
Rejecting improved methods in collect
ing a tax that is difhcult to levy, and In
nsw taxes. such as represented in the
assessment against intangibles.
In the face Of the enormous increase
n, tax revenues, levied by legislature
whose members are alien to the DIS
tr,et. in which those who pay the taxes
have no voice either in the amount 10
Dc collected or in the manner Of spend
ing that which Is collected. the tax
PAYERS. OF the District suffered the
usual insults during the last session OF
Congress. They were labeled as mendi-
cant tax dodgers, sQuealing over having
10 psy taxes and seeking TO pry on the
lid to the Nations cash box. Petition
that the Congress abide by law OF
its own making, never repealed and still
on the books, was interpreted as
devious method of escaping the full
share of responsibility that falls upon
the District as o copartner in Capital
development.
This FAN there will be an effort by
O committee Of the House TO examine
the system under which expenses for
the Capital are divided between the
Nation and the local community. 1ndi-
cations are that the committee plans
an intensive study Of the citys taxable
resources. with the thought of collect
ing additional revenues under new tax
laws Any such effort should, Of course,
be directed toward applying methods Of
taxation that fall equitably upon the
taxed community. and not with the end
In view Of necessarily increasing the
tar burden or the receipts from taxa
ton. The District has never sought to
escape its full responsibility as tax
payer. It's only plea has been that 1t
be dealt with fairly, and that the Ma
ton recognize It's own obligation while
exercising the customary vigilance to
make sure that the Districts obliga-
tons are recognized.