Evening star., 1930-12-15
Support of Capitals.

In his appearance before the House
Fiscal Inquiry Committee Mr.. Simmons
of Nebraska made one suggestion that
might be adopted with beneficial results
He proposed that the committee insti-
tute an investigation of some sort to
determine what other nations of the
world do in support of their capitals.
Mr.. Simmons predicted that such an
investigation would show that Washing
ton is the only capital in the world
shat takes the position of demanding
something from the Federal Govern
ment or the governing agencies in their
midst"
If it is practical the committee might
find it to its advantage to request that
some Government agency, the State De-
partment or the Library of Congress,
compile the data proposed by Mr.. Sim
mons. There may have been some
changes in the form and amount of
financial aid given by the nations to
their capitals since 1916. But in 1916
a comparable survey was undertaken by
citizens of the District and the results
introduced before the Joint Select Com
mittee of Congress which then was
making an inquiry concerning United
States-District of Columbia fiscal re-
lations. The evidence was presented to
support the citizens contention that if
any comparisons are to be drawn be-
tween the part taken by the United
States in maintaining and developing
its Capital and the part taken by for
eign powers in contributing to the
maintenance and development of their
capitals, the United States in some cases
suffers thereby.
An article appearing elsewhere in to-
days Star develops at some length the
findings Of the 1916 survey, as presented
in the argument and the brief of the
Joint Citizens Committee on Fiscal Re-
lstions. It is interesting to note here
that one Of the principal points brought
out was that whereas nearly every cap
ital in the world receives aid in greater
or less degree from the national gov
ernments, and while the citizens of all
tAlC NdRAldlo NOAAtAlDUlC W b44C 4ldt4OAidA
government In Federal taxes, as they do
in Washington, this community Of all
the capital communities in the world is
the only one where the citizens are de-
MED any voice in the collection or the
spending Of their own taxes.
Washington is the only Capital IN
the world where the National Govern
ment discourageS the development of To-
cal taxable resources, such as indus
trial development, that would enable
the local community more easily to bear
its tax burden. In the other capitals
Of the world such development Is either
encouraged or permitted. Here an un-
written policy cripples the city's COM
mercial growth because of the nature Of
the plans for the Federal City.
While all of the capitals of the world
receive aid In some form from the ma
tional governments, none of the gov
ernments are under such specific and
moral obligations to support their
capitals generously and adequately as
is the Government Of the United States.
In none of the capitals studied was
there found a condition analogous to
that which prevails in Washington
where some members of the National
Legislature which exercises exclusive
control over the municipality wish TO
repUdiate the obligation that accom-
panies power. In Paris. for instance,
it was found that the community was
jealous of some Of the few powers over
the municipality exercised by the
French government, yet wanted the
French government to contribute more
generously to the support of Paris. In
Washington, the tendency of some OF
the gentlemen on Capitol Hill is to
control exclusively without paying.
Other interesting comparisons were
brought out in the survey Of 1916. The
committee might profit by making
another one.