Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-14
George Lord to Report to
Committee of House on
U. SD. C. Finances.
FIRST WILL DETERMINE
BASIS OF FAIR SHOWING
Question of Trips to Other Cities
for Data Will Be Decided
Later.

George Lord, Detroit tax expert, APP
pointed as tax consultant to the special
committee of the House investigating
the fiscal relationship between the
Federal and District Governments, went
to work today on what he expects to
be the most exhaustive study ever made
OF the subject
Headquarters have been set up for
Mr.. Lord in room 293 of the House
Ofice Building, and here he plans to
delve deeply into the past history of
the recurring disputes over the fiscal
relations problem before starting any
professional analysis of the problem.
He Is approaching his study like a
student, rather than an expert, and
for that reason he wants to look into
the cause before prescribing a remedy.
Mr.. Lord said he was undertaking his
investigation with a free and open
mind. and that he would proceed on
this basis with a view to finding a
solution that would be flair and equi-
table to both the District and the
United States" Other than a study
OF the history of the fiscal relationship
between the two governments, he has
not at this time, however, mapped out
any definite program of procedure.
Visits to Cities Undecided.
Mr.. Lord declared that whether his
investigation would involve a trip to
other cities for the purpose of studying
the tax problems in comparison with
that OF Washington, would be left en-
tirely TO the committee which appointed
him. In fact, he explained, his entire
program is subject to the wishes of
the committee, and he has not yet had
an opportunity to discuss it with the
members in any detail.
In one comparatively brief discus
sion with the committee" said MIR.
Lord, Il was told that it wanted a fair
and impartial study made of this ques-
ton of fiscal relations. I was told
too, that the investigation should be
completed as soon as possible, but that
1t should be thorough and we'll DONE"
ANY study of taxation" said Mr..
Lord, naturally goes back to the actual
tax burden--the amount of money that
the property owner must pay out every
year for the support of his Government.
In other words, it's the total tax bill
| The tax rate and the rate of assess
ment are only elements and I believe
the courts are unanimous on that SUBJ
ject-that the tax rate means the tax
| burden"
Mr.. Lord indicated rather significantly
that he is a lower-tax advocate. Peo-
| PIC CNCA yNAACACy AAC od4O, are kIOdll1ll5
under the burden of taxation" and this
condition has caused thousands of prop
erty owners all over the country to
lose their holdings through inability to
meet the burden.
In the readjustment which inevitably
must come, Mr. Lord said that con-
sideration must be given the property
| owner who is least able to pay.
Nationally Known Expert.
Mr.. Lord is a nationally known
| authority on taxation-a subject which
has engaged his intimate attention for
more than 20 years, first as chairman
| OF the Committee on Taxation of the
Michigan Legislature, and at present
as manager of the National Tax Survey
Bureau. He is one of the Oldest living
! members of the National Tax AsSocia-
ton, and is known in Michigan as the
father of the State budget law and the
! uniform accounting law.
In 1929 Mr.. Lord served as chairman
| OF the Michigan Committee of Inquiry
which made an exhaustive Investigation
| into taxation in many States, and from
1928 to 1927 he was chairman of the
State Tax Commission.