Evening star., 1935-11-10
LODGE SEES VOTE
FOREMOST ISSUE
New Federation Head Also
Wants Fiscal Equity for
District.
BY HAROLD b. ROGERS.

Lodge. new president of the Fedora
tion of Citizens Associations. as fore
most" among the issues facing Wash
ington.
Second in Importance. he considers
the question of equitable fiscal rela-
tions between the United States and
the District of Columbia.
Seated in his law Office which was
fragrant still from Fall flowers sent
him in tribute to his recent election
as the youngest president Of the fed
Grafton, Lodge yesterday discussed
briefly programs which he feels the
federation would do well to sponsor
toward making the District a better
place in which to live.
At the age of 81. with background
of early years of his life spent on the
farm, with an innate love of the out
,f-doors. with several years experience
as assistant district attorney, and
many more years activity in civic af-
fairs, Lodge is fortnight, speaks
crisply; his blue eyes twinkle, but with
an earnest CLEAN.
Rights Are Denied.
washington citizens are denied the
right to vote in national elections, "
declared Lodge, discussing his foremost
issue, land have no representation in
Congress, nor do they have the rights
afforded citizens OF other jurisdictions
In the Federal courts.
THE third article of the United
States Constitution" he explained,
provides for the establishment of Fed
eral courts and vests them with juris-
diction over various classes of cases
including cases between State and
citizens Of another State, and between
citizens of different States, and based
upon this article. Sections "a and 28
of the judicial code of the United
States have been enacted by Con-
gress. These sections set out in de-
tail the manner in which various
types Of cases may be instituted be-
tween citizens of various States and
may be removed from State courts
to Federal courts. 1t will be OBJ
served that the phraseology this pro-
vision relates to the States Of the
Union and the District of Columbia,
which phraseology is usually found in
the acts of Congress relating to the
District of Columbia. is not to be
found in the Constitution or the
judicial code"
One reason for lack of interest on
the part of members Of Congress
in the District of Columbia. Lodge
pointed out, is that the members OF
Congress have primary interests in
representing their own constituency
and the Nation, relegating the Dis
trict of Columbia to at least secondary
importance.
IF we had national representation, y
he said, I'VE would have some one
on the Hill whose duty would be not
only to study the problems OF the
District of Columbia, but to look after
them" He favors, also, an elective
school board.
While many members of the House
and Senate District committees have
shown vital interest in municipal
problems here, Lodge said, it is un-
fortunate for the National Capital
that many on committees affecting
local affairs here cannot devote much
study or time either to Washington
problems The fact that many men,
bers Of Congress come from smaller
cities and towns and have had no ex-
perience in municipal affairs Of larger
cities mitigates against the welfare OF
Washington, Lodge believes.
Touching on more equitable fiscal
relations, he pointed out that the
method of government here necessi-
tates a single agency for collection Of
taxes on local real estate. business
and intangibles. "Of course the Fed
eral Government" he explained, docs
not pay as such. any tax upon the
many acres Of land and the many
buildings maintained for it's exclusive
use
When the Federal Government
acquires a parcel of land for its use, i"
he said, "it decreases the total taxable
area in the District by that amount,
and further revenue from that land
ceases. In this and many other re-
spects the Federal Government di-
rectly benefits-for which 1t makes
what is known as Federal contribu-
ton each year towards the mainte-
nance Of the local government. All
eral Treasury and a general appro-
priation is made for each fiscal year
by Congress in accordance with what
is considered the needs Of the Dis
trict of Columbia. This means that
the Federal Government controls the
purse of the District, and dictates the
amount to be expended for schools,
streets. general maintenance of the
District and for all necessary expendi-
lures.
Federation Supports idea.
1.-THE federation" he declared, "has
always advocated and now advocates
a fair and equitable distribution of
this responsibility and reasonable
payment by the Federal Government
toward the maintenance of the Dis
trict of Columbia"
Lodge sharply criticized the ten
dency of Congress to award to many
organizations of national scope tax
exemption on their expensive nation
al headquarters here This reduces
the District of Columbia tax revenue
from such property. he said, but does
not reduce the police, fire, street and
other administrative costs of the
municipality. He believes that when
ever such exemptions are made by
Congress the tax burden should be as
sumed by the Government.
Declaring that District residents
should be favored more generally for
positions in the municipality, the
federation president said he could see
no necessity to go to the Far West.
the deep South, or the North, for key
positions in the District of Columbia
Government. Washingtonians. he
pointed out, have their investments
here, are raising their families here,
have loyalty to this city, and are en-
titled to more of such positions.
either through direct appointment