Evening star., 1935-11-24
ID. C. 1887 Budget Progress
And Theat of Increased Taxes.

VITAL in importance to the Dis
trict of Columbia Is the
budget for the fiscal year 1887,
which is about ready for its next
step-submiSsion to the President.
The Commissioners have made
their final plea until they are
called before the subcommittee Of
the House of Representatives Com
mittee on Appropriations. An
earnest appeal was made for the
Budget Bureau to recognize the
inadequacy and equity of the pres
ent lump-sum payment by the
Nation and increase the amount to
$8,317,000. This amount repre-
sents the average Of the payments
during the 10 years ending 1885.
but Is far short of the amount
which would be required through
compliance with unrepealed sub
stantive laws.
Since the arbitrary lump-sum
method Of dividing the cost Of
running the District was put into
practice the budget has continued
to increase and the Federal pay
ments to decrease. The Govern
ment has largely reduced the realty
taxable area and at the same time
so increased the Federal establish
ment as to impose additional bur-
dens upon the municipality. The
inequitable fiscal policy has greatly
retarded the development Of the
District. It has caused the piling
up Of major needs which interfere
seriously with the efficient and eco
nomic operation Of the local gov
ernment. Important governmental
functions are performed in make
shift, overcrowded, unsuitable and
inconveniently located and equipped
quarters.
Schools are overcrowded to such
an extent that in some cases q
double-shift plan has to be used.
Lack Of class rooms and teachers
necessitates oversize classes, which
are difficult for the teacher and a
serious handicap to the pupil.
These items mentioned are only
a part of the vital problems in
volved in this inadequacy of the
Districts budget because of the
failure Of the Federal Government
to pay its fair share for the run
ming Of its own exclusively con.
trolled Capital City.
The District budget Is scheduled
TO follow the President to Warm
Springs, Ga, where the director
will 60 over 1t with him and get his
decision as to the amount Of the
total and probably the amount Of
the Federal share. Just how deep
the President goes into the matter
is not known. It is suspected that
in some instances the local budget
slashes and Federal share reduc-
ton have been in the nature of
scenery" to pad the aggregate re-
duct1onS in the national budget.
Accumulated needs and new OBJ
legations under recent legislation
threaten increased taxation unless
Uncle Sam can be induced to do
his share. Organized civic WASH
ington is opposed to increase Of old
taxes or the imposition Of new va
rieties unless It is absolutely nec-
essary to meet urgent needs which
cannot be met In any other way.
Citizens should interest their
friends back in the States to get
their Senators and Representatives
to take an interest in seeing that
the 1897 budget shall be adequate
and based on the principles Of
equity. The Senate is tradition
ally friendly, but the House leaves
the matter to be determined by a
very few of its members. If more
Representatives would take
friendly and intelligent interest,
through the urging Of their con-
stituents, change Of policy might
be the result.