Evening star., 1930-05-21
! Population and Taxes.


Increases in population are accom-
panied by increases in the total and
| per capita tax burdens, but until the
figures become available that will yield
exact comparisons it is difficult to be-
lieve that the increase In Washington S
tax burden during the last decade is
either normal or fairly proportional to
the increase in its population since
1920.
The census figures for Washington, In
this connection, become doubly interest,"
ing because of the comparison between
the growth Of population and the
growth of the tax burden and because
of the trend of city population to the
suburbs, which, while common to many
other cities, emphasizes washington's
peculiar status as city that cannot
extend its boundaries to include the
adjacent communities that are being
swelled by Washington's overflow.
Between 1910 and 1920 Washington's
population registered a 32.2 per cent
growth. This growth was doubtless alb
normal, for it reflected the great in
crease in the city's population brought
about by the influx Of war workers and
others whose presence here was due TO
the war. In the same period the local
real estate tax yield increased a. per
cent, while the per capita real estate
tax increased from $13 to $14.
Between 1920 and 1880 Washington's
population increased II per cent. In
1920 the real estate assessment was
$426, 26,623,630 and the real estate tax
yield $6,3e9,354. In 1890 the real es-
tate assessment had increased to ST.
1S2, 2,4S3,345, or lit per cent, and the
real estate tax yield had increased to
$20.101,s77, or 214 per cent. In the
same period the per capita real estate
tax jumped from $14 to SAL, or 81
per cent.
In 1920 the Federal Governments
contribution to the District amounted
to $9,S53.255. and in 1880 1t amount
ed to $1o.1os.o0o, including under pro-
test miscellaneous revenues credited
wholly to the District. or an increase of
less than per cent, compared to the in
crease in the city's real estate tax con-
tribution, during the same period, of 214
per cent. The real estate tax burden,
Of course, does not include the other
tax burdens represented in taxes on tan
gible and Intangible personal property,
In the gasoline taxa new tax since
1925-the water taxes, which were In
creased in 1925, or the tax on public
service corporations, banks, etc.
But accompanying this enormous in
crease in the real estate tax burden
there has been the trend of city popu-
lation to the suburbs. The Associated
Press carries an interesting story Of
the effect of this trend as shown in
the 1880 census figures. Washington
becomes one Of the Nations outstanding
examples. Its IL per cent increase in
population is compared by the Asso-
ciated Press, to the 80 per cent growth
Of Alexandria--a growth that is set
down as probably representing a part
Of the overflow from the Capital.
Complete figures on the growth in
other adjacent communities will prob
ably repeat the same story.
Cleveland's population in the last
decade increased by 1875 per cent, but
Greater Cleveland, embracing the coun-
ty in which the city proper is located,
showed a growth Of 26.7 per cent
Baltimore increased only 7.6, but, to
quote the Associated Press, Many a
stately residential section, titled Such
and-Such Forest or Thus-and-so-
Shores, settled southwark along the
pike to washington and up Philadelphia
way"
The census figures are mere corrobo-
rative evidence of what every one knows
has been taking place, with automobiles
and good roads and efficient trans
portation bringing the relatively wide
open spaces of the suburbs within easy
committing distance of the city. But
the point that applies to Washington,
alone OF all the cities in the United
States, is that once the property-owning
suburbanite has left the boundaries OF
| the District of Columbia, he Is lost az
taxpayer to the washington COM
munity and becomes q patriotic, politi-
cal and financial supporter of his gov
ernment in Maryland or Virginia. Cleve-
land, Baltimore, Alexandria-any other
city may almost ut viii extend its cor
porate area and exact tribute from those
who seek the open spaces OF the SUBJ
urhs. In washington the boundarie,
are definitely and firmly fixed.
In the mean time the Federal Gov
ernment Is increasing It's withdrawall
OF, sections Of this non-extensibie area
49,. 4a..xs