Evening star., 1934-10-18
LUMP SUM BASED
ON lLyR. AVERAGE
ASKED BY HAZEN
Commissioners Believes $8,-
500, 900 Would Be Fairer
to the District.
EUGENE BLACK is OTHER
TRADE BOARD SPEAKER
Claims Restored Confidence Is
Only Need Lacking for Com
plete National Recovery.

plete National Recovery.
Appropriation by Congress Of q
lump sum to be paid to the District
In 1885 equal at least to the average
allowed during the past 10 years will
be demanded by the District Com
missioners when the new budget is
submitted for approval.
This announcement was made last
night by Melvin C. Hazen, chairman
of the Board Of Commissioners, who
was one Of the two principal speakers
before the first Fall meeting Of the
Washington Board Of Trade, held in
the ball room Of the Willard Hotel.
Black Also Speaks.
Commissioner Hazen shared speak
ing honors with Eugene Black, former
Board and now governor Of the Fed
eral Reserve Bank Of Atlanta and
liaison officer for the President be-
tween the Reserve system and the
banks Of the country.
Commissioner Hazen took the occa.
sion to answer recent criticism of the
Commissioners, to the effect that they
would ask for a larger Federal appro-
priation in 1886, but have not ex-
planned why.
The schedules being considered at
present by the Commissioners he
characterized as a starvation budget
that allows only for operating ex-
penses and provides for no capital
expenditure" To support his de-
mand for bigger lump sum he cited
figures covering the period from 1925
to 1885, during which Congress has
progressively reduced the Federal
share in District expenses.
He traced the history Of the Federal
contributions from the days when the
United States shared the costs of the
local Government on a $3.50 basis;
then on a 60-40 basis. In 1928 the
Federal share, he said, was 80 per
cent, and last year 1t dropped to the
low point Of IA per cent
Cites Fairer Figure.
Commissioner Hazen said the board
has arrived at the conclusion that an
appropriation equal to the average
from 1925 to 1885 would be q fairer
figure. This amount, he said, would
be $8,662, 900, but that the Commits
sioners have agreed to shave this to
$500, 900.
IF the method Of averaging figures
for a decade does not offer a fair and
reasonable basis for consideration, then
we are left in a confusion of taxable
figures that give no solid ground and
merely offer a field for controversy.
The figure of $500, 900 offers a fair
and reasonable basis" the Commis-
sioner asserted.
IF We do not get an increase from
the United States-and we are going
to do our best to get it--then we must
turn to some other source Of revenue,
and you might as well begin thinking
about that source now"
The Commissioner prefaced that
conclusion by pointing out that ap-
proximately 40 per cent of the prop
erty In the District Is tax exempt,
whereas in the average city of CORES
ponding size 20 per cent or less Is
non-taxable.
The gradual decrease in Federal
contributions he showed by citing the
following figures: 1925, total appro-
priation s3l,l75,672 with o Federal
contribution of $9,145,355; 1925, total
$31 ,139, ,730. Federal share $4,000, ,Os2:
| 1927. total $33 1851 ATT, Federal share
IS, ,000. 400; 1928, total $34, lat,
Federal share $9,00l, ,790; 1929, total
$35 ,957 ,969, Federal share $4,000, ,216;..
$780, total $40 o.694,305, Federal shara
$9, 900, 900; 1881, total $45, SIS, ,2S5.i
Federal share $9,500,033; 1882, total
$43 ,840,o ,o22, Federal share $9,500,111;
1888. total s39, ,626, ,997, Federal share
$7,775,151; 1884, total s2s, s,024 ,499,
Federal share $500, 900; 1885, total
$50 0,532,192 Federal share s4,359,000
(after p. w: A. advances we're de-
Quoted from $5,7oo,ooo).
Praises Commission Form.
Commissioner Hazen drew prolong-
ed applause when he interpolated the
remark that the commission form Of
Government was the best form the
District has ever had, and asserted
that the present board favors its re-
tention.
Gov. Black, who followed Hazen, re-
counted his experiences during the
bank crisis of March, 1888, and his
subsequent service as head Of the
Federal Reserve system. He defended
the banking fraternity despite recent
| criticism and asserted some day the
truth will be known"
He ridiculed business men who still
have fears or apprehension about the
| future of America.
There is only one question left" ("
Gov. Black said, "for complete. re-
| covery. and that is whether America
still has its manhood.
Black Urges Confidence.
Every condition for recovery has
been provided except a full restora-
ton Of confidence and faith in Amer
ica. just q change of attitude on
the part Of the American people Is
all that Is needed"
He also scoffed at the expressed
fears of some men that Americans
| no longer have the right TO free In
dividual effort and the right to .
fair profit on their efforts.
Robert v. Fleming, who presided,
reviewed the activities Of the Board
Of Trade since the consolidation Of
the board with the washington
Chamber Of Commerce.
/ II. L. Rust, jr., chairman Of the
Community Chest campaign, and
Thomas p. Littlepage. chairman Of
the better housing campaign, each
made brief addresses In behalf Of
| their drives.
Commissioners George e. Allen and
Daniel I. Sultan, who sat on the
rostrum with Hazen, were introduced
! to the audience.
The session was concluded with q
buffet supper.