The Washington times., 1932-04-15
D. C. Appropriation
Cuts a Subterfuge
Will Not Reduce Taxes

Under the guse of economy in government the District
subcommittee the House Appropriations Committee has
local supply bill for 1888 another strategic
in the battle which being waged to force Washngtonans
to pay sproporonate share of the upkep OF the National
Capital
Embodyng sashes at appropriations for virtually every
local agency the necessities of government we'll its
luxues carries out the facous and arbitrary
financial philosophy which the House has committed itself
in dealing with the nations city.
Although its surface the bill shows commendabe exer
the pruning knife the taxpayers money it is
in fact simply attempt to accomplish by subteruge the
objects of the Mapes Committee which have been at least
temporarily blocked in the Senate.
The slash of approximately 10 per made by the
mttee will be reflected in the tax bills of Washingtonians
Ostensby the cut appropriations would accomplish that
purpose.
Instead of giving the District taxpayer little of the
lief which is being sought and obtained in other local
munities the hacking slashng which the cys ins
tuons gned only to allow the Federal
escape paying just share of the upkeep Of
its Capital
As to the cuts themselves many and subject
to objection except by few who will the blghng of
their government luxury petspets which in this day OF
economy the people generally cannot afford to support
On the other hand there sashes made which
wise the extreme and which show woefu lack Of fore
sight the part of the committee.
Of these unwse cuts probably the most deporabe is the
slice made in the estimates for schools.
The subcommittee goes further than did the Budget
Bureau which already had cut the estimates of school Off
cia1s to the bone
Here again fong upon children yet unborn the
burdens of present economic condition.
The schools which should be provided in this bill would not
be ready for occupancy for several years. We going
penaze the children who in the future will be able to
obtain seats result Of the virtual cessation of school
building.
The committee is to be commended however for providing
additional teachers to take of the newly acquired
schools
The subcommittee is guilty of specious reasoning dealing
with the problem of relief for the unemployed.
Possibly there good for not setting aside the
100000 asked for this purpose but the fact that charitable
organizations paying people salaries is not of them
It not contemplated to turn this money char
table organizations for administration have been
spent by the Board of Public Welfare with rigid limita-
tion as to the amount to be used for salaries
The appropriations group steps out of its field and invites
criticism and condemnation when through rider on bill
It attempts to regulate the public utilities of the city
The rider which forbds the payment of salary Chair
Mason NJ Patrick, of the Public Utilities Commission,
and to William A. Roberts, of counsel for the commission
Is clearly unjust unfair and unwise.
If the committee any of its members is dissatisfied with
the in which General Patrick and Mr. Roberts have
acted in public utility affairs there is legal sensible
way to get at the matter.
Without any charges brought against the officials
without giving them chance to defend themselves their
record the committee has declared faith them
and takes this backhanded method of attacking them
If members to get rid of these officials they should
do it in the proper and established way.
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