The Washington times., 1934-01-01
REVISED TAXES,
GUT IN WATER
RATE SOUGHT
Lunches for Needy Pupils
Assured; Resident Officials
for D. C. Urged
BY JAMES G. YADEN
President Of the Federation Of Citizens
Associations Of the District Of Columbia
Written Especially for The
Washington Times

PRESIDENT or the Fe06fAt10n OF CltlASHS
Associations Of the District Of Columbia.
Written Especially for The
Washington Times
The past year has been an un-
usually busy one for the Fedora,
ton Of Citizens Associations.
Many matters of Importance af.
fecting the District Of Columbia
have arisen, in which it seemed
fitting that the Federation take
part in an effort to assist in
every way possible.
The Federation of Citizens AS
sociations has always supported
measures and movements which
it believed to be for the best inter
ests of the people of the District
Of Columbia, and it has not
Shirked it's duty in opposing meas
ures which it believed would not
be for the best interests OF the
people of the District.
The people of the District OF Co
lumbia are taking an ever-lncreas-
ing interest in it's affairs. There
is an awakening to the realization
that government really affects
the people, and also that the peo-
ole of Washington have an oppor-
tunity to render a great service by
intelligently studying District al
fairs and presenting to the govern
ing authorities the intelligent and
well thought out views OF the
people.
The Federation Of Citizens AS
sociations during the past year
has lent its efforts and influence
to the following accomplishments:
Cd The federation has been
particularly interested and &C
tive in bringing about a reduc-
ton in water rates. Washing
ton is fortunate in having a
splendid water system, well ana
economically managed, VIII c n
makes it possible for the. people
of this city to have the very
best water a minimum cost. It
was found that the Government
was collecting more money from
the users of water than was
necessary to support this de-
partment of the Government.
Tax Revision Sought
(2) The federation has made
a very careful study Of the tax
rate and tax assessment in the
District. The study made oy
the federation has convinced it
that much real property in the
District is overtaxed and that
study Of our basis Of taxation,
there should be a complete
study of our basis of taxation
with a view to lowering the
taxes on property which is un-
uuestionably assessed too high.
The federation in Its study
found that property is assessed
as high today as it was in 1928
and 1929, which of course can
not be justified.
(3) The federation has been
particularly interested in having
the District Commissioners and
the school board give preference
in appointment to residents of
the District of Columbia. 1t is
believed that no one can quar-
rel with, this proposition. It is
inconceivable that Ghere are
very many positions in the Dis
trict Of Columbia government
which cannot be filled ade-
uuately and efficiently by Dis
trict residents and taxpayers.
The federation will continue to
urge upon the District Commis-
sioners and the Board Of Edu-
cation that preference in ap-
pointment to District positions
be given to those who reside
here and who help to pay the
taxes.
Jobs for d. C. Men Urged
a. The federation has also
been active in an effort to Sc
cure for District residents en-
ployment on purely District Of
Columbia construction projects.
Here again it is believed by the
federation that District resi-
dents should be given prefer
ence on purely District of Co.
Iumbia construction projects.
S. The federation has also
worked in season and out of
season for the elimination Of
penalties on gas and electric
light bills. We believe, of course,
that the gas and electric COM
panies should be paid, but we
believe that the penalties are un-
justifiably harsh.
6. The federation has long
advocated lunches for needy
school children where their
parents were financially unable
to furnish them. It Is particularly
pleasing to note that this pro-
gram is about to be put into
effect.
PWA Aid Obtained
z. The federation began work
even before the bill was drawn
to have the District of Columbia
included in the Public Works
program. Much personal work
was done on this very helpful
project, from the very time that
the project was launched until