davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1935-11-24

We Of Washington urge: I. That
crease of the $5,700,000 Iump-sum
payment up to an amount equal to 40
per cent of the total sum carried by
the 1886 estimates pending before the
Bureau Of the Budget If the President
wishes to recommend 1t. 2. That the
amount of the annual lump-sum pay
ment should be increased in some
roughly approximate relation to the
increase of the District budget. If
justice requires the Nation to con-
tribute so much when the Districts
annual budget is so much, the same
justice requires it to contribute more
when the District budget is doubled.
The practical suggestion is that the
amount Of the fixed payment should
be readjusted if there is any notable
increase in the National Capitals an
nual expenditure. An immediate in
crease of the basic lump-sum appro-
priation of $5,700.o00, for example,
would be in just relation to the in
creased estimates proposed by the
Commissioners to care for the mini
mum improvements and maintenance
funds required by the Capital.
In transmitting to the Congress the
estimates for the District for the
fiscal year 1884 the President in
cluded in his special message the rec
ommendation from the director of the
Bureau of the Budget to reduce the
national contribution to $5,700,000, the
director Of the bureau explaining in
this connection:
"The estimate of appropriations for
1884 for the Federal contribution to
the District of Columbia herewith sub
mitted is $5,700,000 which is reduc-
ton Of approximately 1858 per cent
from the Federal contribution for 1888
Of $7,775,000. This reduction is ap-
proximately the same percentage of
reduction which the total of the esti-
mates herewith, both annual and per-
manent, for 1884 ($32, ,999, ,700) bear to
the total of the same appropriations
for 1888 ($45, 5,122,6221P
1t is contended by your petitioners
that in reducing the Federal contri-
button by the same proportion that
the estimates for the District had been
reduced the Bureau of the Budget
established precedent which likewise
should be followed when the total of
these estimates Is increased. The total
estimates submitted by the Commis-
sioners for the fiscal year 1886 have
increased by approximately one-third
over the appropria ations for 1884
which, In substance were those rec
Evening star., 1935-11-24

plete the parkway connection between
Potomac and Rock Greek Parks. An
other threat of imposing an expendi-
ture equltably national upon the
local taxpayers is found in The COM
pulsory substitution of the new
Municipal Center for the present Dis
trict Building. This substitution is
made in order that the municipal
buildings may harmonize in magnifi-
cence with the new national public
structures and involves a total esti-
mated expenditure of over % millions
of dollars. 1t is submitted that this
excess of expenditure on the Nations
city over that necessarily expended
for a similar purpose in the compar-
able American commercial city cannot
in equity be exacted to the extent of
three-fourths or more from the tax
payers of the District.
When the District Commissioners
were advised some years ago that the
present Municipal Building would be
needed by the Federal Government in
connection with its building program,
and, after proposed enlargement, for
local use, of the present Municipal
Building mad been declared in conflict
with the Federal building program, the
Commissioners sought, in 1929, per-
mission from Congress to purchase two
squares of land as the site for new
group of municipal structures. The
total cost of the land and the build
ings to be erected thereon was esti-
mated to be $12,000,000. At that time
there had been accumulated in the
Treasury to the credit of the District
surplus, or unexpended, local revenues
amounting to $6,5o0,00O. and influ-
ential members of Congress had pro-
posed the purchase of the Municipal
Building by the United States (H. r.
7878-71st Congress, Second SESSION.
at cost to be determined by board,
and which was tentatively estimated
at $5,000,000.
Congress did not approve the plan
submitted by the Commissioners, and
took the responsibility of amending
their bill to include the purchase of
additional land to accommodate build
ings conforming in scale and grandeur
to the new Federal buildings, and rails
ing the estimated cost of the new prof.
ect to $22 Zoo, 900 or more. By joint
resolution of Congress approved June
Is, 1929, $3,OO0,oO0 was appropriated
for purchase of the. site, and an addi-
tional $4,000, 900 appropriated in the
1881 supply bill for the District. All
of the land has been acquired at cost
in excess Of $e.00o,o 900 through these
Evening star., 1935-11-24

Gas lcng as Congress Continues +h.
lump-sum practice) or to propose to
Congress that the local taxnavers he
given an effective voice in decidino
now much they will raise in taxes and
now they will spend the taxes when
raised, or to suggest restricting the
KIND and amount OF appropriations on
the District appropriations bill with
the result of limiting arbitrarily the
amount Of the local Contribution
toward Capital upbuilding on the same
lines as under the lump-sum payment
plan the national contribution Is
limited.
Wise limitation upon the local tax
payers contribution toward the MAIN
tenance and development of the Ma
tion's City could be made effective bv
relating it % to the total appropria-
ton in each year in the District sp-
preparation act, as in 1878 in the So
SO ratio and In 1922 in the 60-40 ratio.
or (2) by relating it to the Districts
contribution in each year in national
Gnternal revenue) taxes
Return Districts Internal Revenue.
Since the District paid in such taxes
In the fiscal year 1888 S8,464 ,108. Sc,
more absolutely than over one-half OF
the States, more than 10 of the States
combined, and more per capita than
all OF the States except seven, and re-
ceives in return no rep1 1esentation in
the House, though the Constitution
couples inseparably Representatives
and direct national taxes, the last
named suggestion seems equitable. In
fairness in this connection it should
also be considered that the Nation has
heretofore not only denied national
representation to the national tax
paying District, but has also until very
recently excluded the District in dis
tributing hundreds of millions of de-
lars in bounties and subsidies to the
States. 1t is also to be remembered
that the national taxes paid by resi-
dents of the District in contributions
to the customs revenues Of the Nation
will still remain in the Treasury for
national uses. By this procedure the
Nation would contribute to the Ma
and upbuilding no dollar that had not
been paid in national taxes BY the
people of the District themselves.
1t could not reasonably be protested
that such repayment of its own money
should not be made to the District,
since already in national bounties or
subsidies to the States Gin which the
District has not heretofore been per-
mitted to participate) several States
have received even more from the Ma
tional Treasury in the shape of such
bountieS and subsidies than they have
paid into the Treasury in national
internal revenue taxes. If the Nation
can thus make subsidy payments to
even few Of the States of more than
these States pay in national taxes,
surely there could be no reasonable
objection to a return to the District
Of this part of its contribution of ma
tional taxes, the Nation retaining in
the Treasury the contributions of Dis
trict residents to customs revenues.
Political equity and financial equity
for the District have always been in
separably interviewer. The people of
the District urgently petition for both
equities. In the New Deal era of
America no other Americans need a
new deal more distinctly than the un-
Americanized Americans of the Dis
trict. Give US, then 1--WE petition),
New Deal.
Evening star., 1935-11-24

and subsequent appropriations, and
additional amounts appropriated and
expended for the preparation of plans,
etc. But with local revenue surpluses
exhausted, and with demands on cur
rent revenues for other needs already
exceeding revenue availability, the
project has been indefinitely halted
through failure by the United States
to continue its own plan of develop
ment on the magnificent scale pro-
posed with the understanding of ma
tional participation in its financing.
Exclude National Projects.
4. II the lump-sum payment can
not be equitably increased to provide
for suitable national participation In
financing these national or Semi-na-
tional projects, then the President is
asked to recommend through the Bu-
reau of the Budget that these appro-
priati0ns be excluded from the Dis
trict bill, where their inclusion results
in obvious inequity, and to propose
their financing in some other supply
bill, where the sharing of the expense,
which the law or equity demands, can
be specifically provided.
S. And, finally, some recommends
ton to the Congress by the President
is asked toward limiting the appro-
priations of District money by Con-
gresS (the Districts Legislature, in
which it is not representedD in the
same way that Capital expenditures
of national tax money are limited
under the lump-sum payment plan.
When the appropriations of local and
national tax money for the Capital
were by law and in practice in definite
percentage relation this limitation
automatically resulted, and this check
upon the appropriation of District tax
money, unless accompanied by a re-
lated expenditure of national tax
money. was the main benefit derived
by the District from the definite pro-
portionate contribution plan.
When for the latter plan, at the
instance of the House Appropriations
Committee, the lump-sum payment
plan was tentatively substituted it
was suggested that loss of this limi-
tation upon District expenditures and
taxation would be cured by permitting
the District to participate so effective
ly in the raising and expenditure Of
its tax money that it could be extrava-
CANT or economical, as it pleased. But,
in fact, the District has no more to
say about its taxation and the ex-
penditure Of its taxes under the lump
sum payment plan than under that
of definite proportionate contribution.
Evening star., 1935-11-24
of the Reasons Demanding Increased Lump Sum
While This System Remains Temporary Appropriation Practice

commended by the President through
the Bureau of the Budget.
Increase Specifically Lump Sum.
3. The amount Of annual payment
should be increased specifically in
proportion to national projects in
cluded in the District appropriation
bill
Whether or not there Is a general
readjustment of the lump-sum con-
tribution, there should be specific in
creaseS in that sum representing in
each year the placing in the District
budget of primarily national projects
which it is conceded should be paid
for wholly or in part from the ma
ti0nal Treasury, but which by inclu-
sion in the District bill and under
the Iump-sum payment plan as prac-
tically applied are paid solely by the
District taxpayers from current taxes.
The past Congress authorized the
Public Works Administration to lend
to the District of Columbia total of
$10,750,000 for the execution of certain
projects which are specified in the
act. Funds have been advanced or
tentatively allotted to the extent of
$5,500,000, but participation by the
United States in repayment of 70 per
cent of the money borrowed is specif1-
cally prevented by the requirement
that 40 cents of the tax levied and
collected upon each $100 of the as
sessed valuation of all real and tan
gible personal property subject to tax
alton in the District of Columbia shall
be deposited in the Treasury of the
United States to the credit of a spe-
cial account for such reimbursement
to the Federal Emergency Administra-
tion Of Public Works and shall not be
available for any other purpose"
While the projects, as, for instance,
the sewage-disposal plant, are distinct
ly semi-national in purpose and scope,
serving both the local community and
the United States Government, the
repayment of the loan is placed en-
tirely upon. the local community.
There are several other national or
semi-national projects which, as a
result of appropriations on the District
bill to finance them with an infiexible
lump-sum national contribution. have
been in effect paid for solely by Dis
trict taxpayers. Included in this list
are the appropriation of the accumu-
lated surplus Of local taxes. without
any corresponding contribution of any
kira Cor AMOUNT from the National
Treasury, and the appropriation solely
from local taxes Of the money to COM
Evening star., 1935-11-24
To the Congress of the United States:

petitioners the Citizens Joint Committee Fiscal
United the Distrc of
cooperating organizations whose subscribed below
Spectfuly represent
platform of principles laid down by the joint committee
the hearings
Joint District
December 1919 and the Senate Appropriations Committee in April
1920 is as follows:
We contend first that the United States should contribute
largely the expenses of the District second that this conrbu
should definite proportion third that this
portion should be at least one-half.
platform modified by the Districts organic act
1922 which the principle of definite proporonae
contribution by local community and Nation toward Capital
changed the yfty ratio to forty imposing
the sixty per cent burden upon the local taxpayer.
platform of principles thus modified
Committee of the Citizens Joint Com
mittee October 81, 1928, follows
contend first the United States should contribute
largely maintenance upbuldng of the National Capital
second this contribution should be fixed and definite
portion proportion should Xtyforty-sxty
by District taxpayers and forty by the United States
While Congress all propositions the
mite propoonae contribution provision 1922
while the sixty forty provision the existing substantive law
Congress 1924 provided provision annual
Evening star., 1935-11-24
Abandonment of Lump.Sum Plan
And Restoring of Definite Proportion

Note-The petition as presented to
Congress last Winter included an ex-
tended argument in support Of res
toration of the definite proportion
method of dividing the support of the
National Capital. While the Joint
Committee continues its support of
that as the only logical and equitable
method yet devised, that is not the
issue at the present time. Therefore
this argument is here produced in a
much condensed form.
1. The Iump-sum payment practice
destroys all relation between the na-
tional and local contributions and
leaving all taxing power in the hands
Of the United States, deprives the un-
represented Capital of its safeguard
against excessive taxation by taxing
body in which it is not represented.
Under the lump-sum payment prac-
tice additional dollars Of tax exacted
from the District no longer increase,
but correspondingly reduce the ma
tional contribution, actually or rela-
lively.
Teaches a False Theory.
2. II teaches false theory concern
ing the relation of Nation to Capital
1t obtrudes annually upon the at
tention of Congress the suggestion of
a large cash donation to the Capital,
as if the primary obligation of Ma
tional City upbuilding were upon the
local taxpayers and the Nation were
only an incidental contributor, VOL
untary and benevolent donor.
***
Is not the superlative Inconsistency,
the climax of topsy-turvydOm attained
by a financing plan which places a
limit upon the amount of his own
money which may be spent by the
omnipotent national partner, with ex-
elusive power of legislation and ap-
preparation in his hands, and removes
all limit from the amount which the
national partner may exact for Capt.
tai upbuiiding from the impotent local
partner, the District taxpayers? Pro-
lection against himself for the power
full partner. who needs no protection!
A denial of protection for the weak
partner, who is absolutely helpless and
impOtent and who desperately needs
to be protected.
: 3. It taints with unfairneSs or bad
faith nearly every understanding or
transaction which it touches.
Unlawful Offspring Of Holman Rule.
(a) It came into existence as rider
on an appropriation bill in defiance
Of substantiative law under a strained
construction Of the Holman rule.
~ X
The rule thus misconstrued and
misappned, while barring equitable
increases in appropriation. facilitates
the denial or evasion of legal indebt-
edness; it invites violation, with good
or bad motive, of existing substantive
law. and 1t tempts to reputation Of
just debt.
Unfairness in Respect to Surplus.
(b) In appropriating for National
Capital purposes the Districts five
millions surplus accumulated during
the war years by failure Of Congress
to appropriate for Capital needs) 1t
robbed this fine action by Congress of
much of its merit.
X \ X X
Taints With Unfairness Expenditures
for Parks.
(c) The lump-sum payment expert.
ment, as practically applied, converted
the Park Commission law from o
Evening star., 1935-11-24

benefit and blessing TO the National
Capital community into a threat Of
injury.
On its face the National Capital
Park and Planning Commission law is
broadly national. The terms Of the
law suggest the patriotic interest in it
to the extent of cent year contri-
button Of every man, woman and child
in the Republic. The title to all the
land purchased by the Park Commits
sion is vested in the United States.
x
1t has converted a fine, wise, broadly
national project, which the self-de-
ceived District enthusiastically in
dOrsed, into an unjust increase of the
local taxpayers tax burden, against
which the District taxpayer has Wig
orously protested.
Paralyzes Permanent Improvements.
I'D 1t paralyZes all great and costly
permanent Improvements and all loans
for such improvements by creating
LII IIAC COi1lItOl4Ly q 1CdSOLldUlC OOubJ
whether the national partner in
financing the improvements and re-
paying the loans will not exact every
cent of payments for primarily ma
tional or seminational projects from
the irpotent local partner, the Dis
trict taxpayers. '4-
(e) 1t taints with bad faith and
knr nj frtefinA nsckrtN4fc
organic act of 1922.
X X
Unjust and Hurtful Discrimination.
The District has been compelled to
carry out faithfully all the provisions
of the five-year program that mean
loss and injury to it; but in appropri-
ating for the fiscal year 1925 Congress
nullified for that year the 60-40 pro-
vision of the law of 1922 (the only
pledge in the compromise distinctly
beneficial to the District) by attach
ing to that bill the vicious and de-
moralizing lump-sum payment rider.
The all-powerful national partner
has in each of the fiscal years since
that of 1925 repeated this unjustly .
and discreditably discriminating ex-
action from the impotent local part
ner. ..
When Congress ceases to enact this
annual exception to the law Of 1922
the 60-4O rates directed by that law
will automatically operate and the
promised era Of peace and good will
and good faith will be enjoyed.
No Offsetting Benefits for Injuries.
4. There are no offsetting benefits
to the injuries inflicted by the lump
sum payment practice. All the pre-
dictions of evil concerning 1t have
been 100 per cent fulfilled. Not ono
Of the benefits promised for 1t has
been enjoyed.
Authorized by substantive law to
collect only so per cent of District
appropriations from the local taxpay-
ers, 1t is now collecting dn the cur
rent fiscal year, approximately 80
per cent of total appropriation.
The prophets of evil were the true
prophets.
The maximum national contrihd-
ton is made definite during the time
in which Congress refrains from di-
minishing it; but all limits are de-
clared OF in respect to the local con-
tribution, and it remains definite
only in the demonstrated certainty
that the local tax burden will be
largely and steadily increased. and
that the local taxpayers will not par
ticipate at any time in the decision
of the amount Of the increase, the
methods Of taxation by which the
increase Is secured and the purpose
for which the tax money Is spent.
Evening star., 1935-11-24

the of the United States directing attention
to the District of Columbia appropriation bill H r. 39
the fiscal 1885 now pending before the Congress and
urging that while the lumpsum payment plan of National
contribution toward Capital upbudng continues the
nual exceptional appropriation practice temporarily ub
uted the Congress the definite prOpOrt0nate
contribution plan provided the unrepeaed substantive
of 1922 the of this shall be largely
increased; also urging rejection of H. r. 4245.
Evening star., 1935-11-24

No Offsetting Benefits for Injuries.
4. There are no offsetting benefits
to the injuries inflicted by the lump
sum payment practice. All the pre-
dictions of evil concerning It have
been 100 per cent fulfilled. Not ono
Of the benefits promised for 1t has
been enjoyed.
Evening star., 1935-11-24

Taints With Unfairness Expenditures
for Parks.
(c) The lump-sum payment expert.
ment, as practically applied, converted
the Park Commission law from o
Evening star., 1935-11-24

commended by the President through
the Bureau of the Budget.
Evening star., 1935-10-13
SALE-AUTOMOBILES.

PONTIAC 1898 coupe; AL condition. low
wis Psen. Bssssui ss4c goth and ''s
PONTIAC sedan-Good transportation; fun
Nolan Used Car Stadium. 18th and M NV.
PONTIAC sedan. series B. 1880; excep-
shons csseIsnd ss: ssss: terms
PONTIAC 1881 sedan. good mechanical
condition, new tires; must sacrifice, Sl1O
side parEway. silver sprins. ~ W.
paint AND tires Exceptional value. Terms
%oso1s @ 99sr csT aFsn Ps in trade sBons
Lincoln O3O3. open until o pm.
PONTIAC sport coupe. 1934-Original nm
ish Of heather green. cream wire wheels
with chromium bands; spotless velour up
@ ear M fransy $ h this Is one Of the a cieanest nest
we have priced it for this Fali clean up
sale at only $545: new-car finance rate
and liberal trade. Norris: Inc. 201S 14th
st. NV. Phone North 3949.
poNTAC ISso coach ~. but on Nolsn
down and 81 .67 weekly. Nolan Used Car
Stadium 18th and NJ SITS. NV.
PONTIAC 1885 "s" sedan: black; mileage.
1900; perfect; will guarantee: 500. G. M.
A. c. terms. North 1041. 1889 Newton
PONTIAC 1888 de luxe 4-door sedan: COL
or. black: low mileage; price. S445. 90.
Warfield Motor Co.. 1928 Sherman ave.
NV. Phone Adams 5000.
PONTIAC, latest 1885 touring 4-door Sc
dan: months old; cost S944; sacrifice.
S735; terms considered. Cleveland 1923.
PONTIAC 1929 sedan; looks and runs like
dition. $3.50; 1882 sport coupe. $500;
terms. See Mr. Barnes. l729 l4th st. NV.
PONTIAC coach. 1881 must sacrifice
this car: everything like new; very best
sondition; only S225; terms. S25 cash.
PONTIAC I 1894 Spas sedan; very as:
sReesssSy Is iRssess osnt Pf5ie's pHsS
National $500. Open Sunday and eve.
nings. C. C. c. guaranty.
oflcial cars; ney-car guarantee; trade and
$500 GEORGIA ave. NV. Shepherd 1918.
refinished; has good tires and runs fine:
serviceabe TRANSPORTATION. Pohanka sery-
ice. 1926 Goth st. NV. District DIAL.
PONTIAC. 1882 sedan. clean. original fin-
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!ssI s4a iST st miiesse' SS $50 smoo' Motor Co.
RocKNE 1888 de luxe sedan: tan color
with slip covers. A bargain. S295; terms
and trade. Wisconsin Motors. Inc. Goth
and NJ stS. NV. Phone Decatur $40.
ROLLS-ROYCE town car. $500: coupe.
$3.50; touring. $3.50. Minerva town lam
dauet. low mileage like new. 1000.
1231 Goth st. NV. Phone National 4O6O.
$55 CASH.
Chevrolet 1882 4-door, two-tone brown;
good tires. looks and runs like new; S55
cash and your old car. balance weekly.
CAPITOL MOTORS, INC,
2l5 Pa. Ave. Sc. Lincoln 0303.
Open Until PM.