Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-01

The Real Root of the Evil.

The Real Root Of the Evil.
Debate in the House preceding passage
Of the Cranton bill on Thursday in
cluded discussion of the financing of
this measure, which is naturally Of
vital importance to the District.
There has been little, if any, oppo-
sition to the Cramton bills fine pur-
pose to carry forward park develop
ment in and around Washington. The
only opposition from Washington has
been based on the system of financing,
which places a disproportionate load
on local taxpayers, excluding the Ma
ton from contributing its full and fair
share of forty per cent. But as the
Cramton bill merely extends this sys-
tenn, the proper remedy lies in the an
nual appropriation bills for the Dis
trict. This thought was developed in
Thursdays debate.
Representative Bowman asked why
the Federal Government did not put
the same burden Of contribution upon
the people of Maryland and Virginia
that It placed upon the District, and
Representative Dallinger answered him
IS follows:
We are providing in regard to the
areas outside Of the District that the
states of Maryland and Virginia shall
ultimately bear fifty per cent Of the
expense. and in the case of Rock Greek
Park and the Eastern Branch. two
thirds of the expense, the balance to
be paid by the Federal Government.
Under existing law, the balance would
be paid out of the revenues Of the Dis
trict, so that the bill now before us is
distinctly advantageous to the District.
Mr.. Bowman: And with the small
area in the District of Columbia, you
are compelling the taxpayers OF the
District to pay more than twice the
amount that the Federal Government
is expected to pay.
Mr.. Dallinger: No: this does not in
crease the burden upon the District of
Columbia at all. The gentleman Is in
error about that.
Mr.. Idnthicum: Does not the Ma
tional Government now contribute its
proportionate part Of this amount,
which used to be On basis Of 1890,
and Is now q iump-Sum appropriation
Of $1,000 900 o year?
Mr.. Bowman: In former appropria-
ton bills the ratio was $3.50, but now
they have destroyed the previous fiscal
relations between the District Of Co
lunbia and the National Government,
and this bill would compel the District
to pay almost two and half times the
amount appropriated BY the Federal
Government for this enterprise.
Mr.. Linthfcum: If the gentleman
wiz permit, whatever portion the Ma
tional Government now pays or will
pay In the future, that proportion will
apply to this 81 .000. 900 q year, Just the
same IS any other appropriation.
Mr.. Dallinger: Certainly. We do
not change the proportion. Whatever
Congress may see at from time to time
TO determine IS to the amount that the
the expenses Of the District of Column
b.a. that law win apply to the. appro-
priation for parks. This bin does not
make any change In that at all.
We do not change the substantive law.
The Federal Government pays the
same share Of the amount expended
for park purposes as 1t pays for any
other District Of Columbia expense.
Washington Is indebted to Mr.. Bow
man for bringing the matter to the at
tention Of the House. II is perfectly
true, as Mr.. Dallinger said, that the
Cramton bin does not increase the
burden of local taxpayers. That
burden, an unjust one, is fixed by the
appropriation bills, which for the last
six fiscal years have nullined substan-
tive law by riders that substitute an
inadequate lump sum for the lawful
forty per cent as the Federal Govern
n1ent's share of Capital expenses. The
Cramton bill merely continues this in
equity, but emphasizes 1t by contrast.
For, while the bill definitely afirns the
principle Of fixed ratio for Maryland
and Virginia in financing park pur-
chase and development, it places upon
the District the sole responsibility Of
meeting similar expenses within the
District, with the unwritten understand
ing that the Federal Governments
share will be. proportionate part Of
whatever Congress chooses to contrib
ute to the annual District supply bills.
Inequities In the Cramton bill, as
well as in the financing Of other prof.
ects, should be removed by materially
increasing the lump sum or by return
ing to the lawful practice of consider
ing q fixed forty per cent as the Federal
Governments rightful contribution to
Capital maintenance and development.