Evening star., 1934-04-25
Editorial Correspondence of The Star.
THEODORE w. MOVES.
ARTICLE 8.

Editorial Correspondence OF Tne star.
THEODORE w. MOVES.
ARTICLE 8.
The lump sum payment plan taints
with bad faith and hurtful injustice
the Districts new organic act Of 1922.
The understanding, when the act
of June 20, 1922, was agreed upon by
House and Senate, viewed that act as
a compromise measure, disposing for
many years of our troublesome fiscal
relation issues. The Districts contri-
button toward Capital upbuilding was
increased from so to so per cent; its
tax rate on intangible personally
was increased sc 2-3 per cent. and
the foundation was laid (though in
tent to increase was disclaimedD for
increasing its realty tax: it was de-
prived of exclusive credit for large
sums of miscellaneous receipts hither-
to solely enjoyed. this action inflict-
ing a heavy loss, and it was COM
PEELED to accumulate from its tax
money of present years (every cent of
which was needed to meet the urgent
municipal needs of today fund O.
millions to provide in advance for
meeting the first half-year expenses of
1928 and of subsequent years.
In partial compensation for these
drastic exactions the District was to
enjoy specifically for five years and
indefinitely thereafter the benefit of
approximate certainty as to its ratio
of proportionate contribution; in order
to spare the District all controversy
for these five years over ratios and tax
rates the law in specific terms levied
in advance this tax "for each of the
fiscal years ending June 80. 1923, 1924,
1925, 1926 and 1927" indicated how
the tax rate should be automatically
fixed and directed that the proceeds
should be applied to the Districts so
per cent contribution and to the
building up by 1927 of a surplus to
put the District on cash paying
basis. The District was thus to be
spared for a long period hurtful
deadlocks over ratios between House
and Senate, which annually en-
dangered the District appropriations
and undeservedly prejudiced House
sentiment against the Capital COM
munity.
The District has been compelled to
carry out faithfully all the provisions
Of the fve-year program that mean
loss and injury to it; but in appropri-
ating for the fiscal year 1925 Con-
gress nullifed for that year the 60-4o
provision of the law of 1922 (the only
pledge in the compromise distinctly
beneficial to the District) by attaching
to that bill the vicious and demoral-
izing lump sum payment rider.
The all-powerfuI national partner
has in each of the fiscal years since
that Of 1925 repeated this unjustIy
and discreditably discriminating exac-
tion from the impotent local partner.
Justice and Wisdom of Organic Act.
The Nations obligation of proper
tionate contribution toward the main
tenance and development of the Fed
eral District is equitable in its nature,
based primarily on the circumstances
of the Capitals original creation, and
secondarily on present and continuous
conditions enforcing both the original
and a renewed obligation upon the
Nation as the untaxed owner of
large fraction of Washington's real
estate, and of over 5000 acres Of the
suburban portion of the federal Dis
trict. This obligation is as just and
as binding today as it was at the
beginning of the last century. Ma
tional recognition of this obligation is
crystallized in the organic act OF 1878,
and in the supplementary act of 1922.
Maintenance intact of the spirit of
the organic act IS not only point of
honor with the Nation, but is strongly
urged by the dictates of national
pride. During the period when the
national obligation tardily recognized
by the organic act in 1878 was neg
lected, the Capital was a national
shame, a by-word and reproach.
Since the Nation has returned even
part way to its original obligation the
Capital has become an object Of ma
tional affection in whose attractive
ness and in whose welfare the whole
American people take pride. In place
of the discreditable, struggling, neg
lected village Of the period Of ma
tional indifference there has risen the
Capital of today wherein the eye is
pleased by all that both nature and
art have done to adorn the most
beautiful city on the Continent. In
its honest and economical municipal
government in its asphalt pave
ments, in its system Of shade trees,
In its underground trolley system
Of rapid transit. in its broad streets
and avenues free from overhead wires,
and in its numerous and diversified
parks, it has become model among
American municipalities.