Evening star., 1933-02-13
BOARD OF TRADE l
ATTACKS SURPLUS
Statement Stresses Ignominy
OF Taxation Without
Representation.

The proposal indicated In the Dis
trict appropriation bill to increase local
taxes. while an accumulation of surplus
District funds piles up to the credit OF
the Municipal Government in the
Treasury, was vigorously opposed today
by the Washington Board @. Trade.
Acting in behalf Of the taxpayers of
the Capital, the trade body charged the
legislation ''contemplates a situation
which is almost inconceivable, particu.
larly in view of the present economic
situation
In a statement drawn up for pres
entation to the various committees Of
the House and Senate having to do with
District finances, the Board of Trade
indicated it was prepared to suggest
ways and means of meeting the sttlla-
tion without resort to additional taxa
ton. '-''
Appeals for Justice.
The statement, signed by Ben r.
webster, president of the organization.
ana joshua Evans, jr., chairman of the
municipal Finance Committee of the
Board OF Trade, further stresses the
lgnomlny OF taxation without repre-
Sentatlon" suffered by the citizens Of
washington and asks Justice and
equity by its governing body-t1e
Congress-in the creation Of local
legislation.
The statement follows In full: 7t
Inc washington Board Of Trade.
on behalf Of the citizens of the National
capital, respectfully protests the ac-
cumulation of a surplus of District
money In the United States Treasury
and the proposed increase in taxes as
INDICATED in the current appropriation
Dill. The legislation contemplates a
SITUATION which Is almost inconceivable.
particularly in view Of the present
economic situation. 1t proposes to in
crease certain basic tax rates for rails
ing additional revenues, and at the
same time curtails the expenditures of
the District so as to set up a surplus of
about S6000000, which in the face of
crying needs must remain untouched
and idle. =
Suggest Tax Reduction.
I'VE respectfully suggest to Congress
that the use Of this money would make
adequate provision for the fiscal needs
of the District without any increase in
taxes, and further, If it is the de-
termination OF Congress to limit the
budget to its present size. then the tax
rates should be reduced accordingly. 1t
is inconceivable that under the present
economic situation, Congress should
propose that the citizens of the Dis
trict Of Columbia should be taxed to
the extent of creating surplus, which
under the law they would not be
allowed to use.
This organization feels that the
people Of the District Of Columbia have
continuously done their duty in every
respect. They suffer the ignominy OF
taxation without representation, and
we have no protection to seek other
than the equity and justice dealt to
u.s. by Congress. In view Of this, we
urgently request a further considera-
ton Of the status of the present appro.
priat1on bill SO the existing paradoxicaI
situation may be eliminated"
The action of the trade body today,
the officers said, win be followed up by
appearance Of its representatives be-
fore the. various committees of both
houses OF Congress- and the individual
petitioning Of every Senator and Rep
resentative in Congress interested in
District affairs.
The committees primarily concerned
are the House Subcommittee on District
Appropriations, Appropriations Com
mittee, and District Committee and the
Senate Appropriations Committee and
District Committee.