Evening star., 1931-12-22
EFFICIENCY BUREAU
STUDY OF D. C. TAX
BILLS TO BE ASKED
Continued From First Page.)


Federal contributions into the annual
appropriation bills, it has been done
for one year at time. Previous ef-
forts to have the lump sum established
as a permanent basis have been re-
sisted In the Senate
There is no reason why the people
OF the Nation should not pay thsir full
share Of the upkeep of their Capital" +"
said Ser at2- Shipstead The Mime
sofa Senator was made a mernutr IT,
Gently Of the Senate District Commit
tee, which will consider these bills. but
his interest IN the development of
Washington has been expressed for a
number Of years
The people of Washington are al
ready oVerburdened with taxes" the
Senator continu d. pointing out that
the District is essentially a city of SIN II
homes and residents on moderc tt
salaries. There are no industries here
That means it will b. the underpaid
Government employees who will shoulder
these taxes"
Senator Shipsteed said one OF the
points he wanted to emph2 size is that
the wealth that is II Washington, in
most cases, keeps its legal residence ir
other places" The Senator said some
men see the large residences on few
avenues "and think that everyone here
lives in palaces
In reality, the Senator add d. the
city is made up mainly of small homes
and sslaried workers. on whom the
burden Of the increeS eSed taxes would
fall.
Weight Tax Plan Attacked.
Senator Shipstead characterized as
ridiculous" the bill to pl2ce a tax on
automobiles by weight. and declared
the increase from to 4 cents in th>
gasoline tax would be burden on the
poor man
Il voted for the 6o-4o bill" Senator
Shipstead said. Il believed that 60-40
was better than no fixed amount of
Federal aid for the District The
Federal Government is getting off light.
paying only 40 per cent of the upkeep
Of the Capital. This city is no Cleve-
land, or New York. or Buffalo. The
majority of its citizens work for the
Government or else derive their living
from those who do"
Senator Shipstead expressed the view
that while the Capital has miles of
bride paths in Potomac and Rock Creek
Parks, and other recreational facilities
for adults, it needs more playground
spaces for children. The Senator said
he believes the people of the country
are proud Of their Capital, and that in
his opinion the cost of its maintenance
should not be placed mainly on the
Government workers who live here.
Senator Shipstead pointed out that
the Federal contribution toward thu
National Capital comes from Federal
taxes and that in contending the peo-
pie of the Nation should be willing to
bear fair share of the upkeep of the
Capital. he had in mind those Amer
leans who are able to pay substantial
national income taxes.
Others Oppose Measure.
Commenting on proposals to increase
District taxation to cut down the Fed
eral contribution toward the upkeep Of
the National Capital, Senator Fess, Re-
publican, Of Ohio, today said:
That does not appeal to me. I would
oppose it."
Senator Swanson. Democrat, of Vir-
ginia said steps would be taken in the
Senate to eliminate any provision in
the proposed income tax bill which
would have the effect of imposing an
other income tax on residents of Vir-
ginia who are employed in Washington.
pointing out that Virginians already pay
an income tax.
Discussing the question Of fiscal rela-
tions between the United States and the
District in developing the Capital Sen
ator Swanson said he has always felt
that since the District has certain un-
usual requirements to meet because of
the presence of the Government here
the Government should be generous and
libral in its treatment of the District.