Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1936-02-23
BUDGET HISTORY
REVIEWED ON AIR
K. p. Armstrong Fears U. S.
viii Cease Contribution
for D. c. Upkeep.

If District revenues continue to pile
up the Federal Government will con-
tinue to decrease its share in Wash
tngton's upkeep until it ceases its con-
tributions entirely, K. p. Armstrong OF
the Federation of Citizens Associa-
tons Executive Committee believes.
This was one fact brought out In
the regular civic broadcast over Sta
ton WMAL last week. Many other
questions were raised.
Armstrong also pointed out that
members of the congressional appro-
priation subcommittee are criticized
for reductions in the District budget,
but stated it was his belief that the
system used n appropriating funds
should be changed.
1T would be interesting to know
what their reactions would be If
committee of Washington taxpayers
had the power to go into their home
communities and dictate the expendi-
lures of their tax money" Armstrong
declared.
Budget History Reviewed.
A brief history of the methods of
compiling the District budget was ex-
planned by Armstrong. He reviewed
the essential items contained in the
first budgets drawn up by the Com
missioners, which avoided permanent
improvements. On the whole, how
ever, these budgets were fair to tax
payers, he declared.
In 1878 the law which disfranchised
Washington residents provided for the
Governments share of expenses on a
$3.50 basis, which was later reduced
to 40 per cent for the Federal Goverl-
ment.
Congress violates this law, however,
by appropriating less than Is per cent
of the total expenses each year. The
Commissioners budget this year was
not predicated upon the amount set
by this law, but upon the average
amount for the past few years which
the Federal Government has contri-
buted. The amount called for by the
Commissioners is $8,300,000, while If
the United States contributed its law
full share this amount would be about
S16,O00,000.
The final act of the Budget Bureau
was to try to cut the District supply
bill to last years figure of $5,700,0 900.
Members Of the Budget Bureau did
consult with public officials in cutting
the Commissioners recommendations
Armstrong stated, but the taxpayers
who furnish IS per cent of the total
local government expenses were not
consulted.
Hearings Kept Secret.
When the 1887 budget reached the
House subcommittee on District ap-
preparations the edict was delivered
that their deliberations were to be
yelled in secrecy. The Commissioners
were prohibited by law from recon-
mending items already deleted by the
Budget Bureau.
The voteless taxpayers were al
lowed to appear before this subcom-
mittee, but were enjoined to secrecy.
They appeared under many handi-
caps, among which was the COM
plete ignorance of what other citi-
zens were asking ana the consequent
relative value of their own respective
requests. .-.... .
This spectacle of supposedly free
citizens appearing as suppliants be-
fore small group Of non-residential
rulers is not pleasant one to pic
ture in the Capital city of the great
est democracy on EARTH" Armstrong
asserted. "If this subcommittee were
q group Of experts, or body chosen
by the taxpayers themselves, the Sit
uation would be different"
A great deal Of the time Of the
citizens appearing before these sub
committees is wasted, in Armstrong;
opinion.
Some groups, by virtue of personal
acquaintance with subcommittee
members, secure more sympathy for
their requests than Others, he be-
Ieves.
In spite of an indicated $4,000 900
surplus for the next fiscal year, and
regardless of the many needs to
tageously be put, new taxes are be-
ing contemplated to tax further an
unrepresented citlzenry, the speaker
said.
The best solution of all, Armstrong
believes, is one more in accord with
American principles, to restore to the
people of the District the rights they
formerly possessed, and which are
the heritages of citizens of every other
citizens of the Nation-the right to
select their own officials, to levy their
own taxes, to expend their own tax
money and the right to collect
fair tax on the property which is
used for the business of the national
Government.
CANNED Next Speaker.
Each week civic leader speaks
over Station WMAL on civic problems.
The series is sponsored by the fed
Grafton, and is under direction of
Thomas Ellis Lodge, federation pres
ident.
This weeks speaker will be Joseph
L. Gammel, chairman of the fed
eration's Auditing and Examining
Committee and a former president
Of the Lincoln Park Citizens Asso-
citation. Ganlmel will speak on the
formation of the Southeast Council
of Citizens Associations and the
federation.
Gammel is heating engineer and
q native of New York City. He has
lived in the District for the last 20
years, and has been a member of
the Lincoln Park Citizens Associa-
ton for Is years.
Having been a delegate to the fed
Grafton from the Lincoln Park group
for eight years. he has spent five of
these years as chairman Of the fed
eration's Police and Fire Committee.
He also represents the same citizens
association at the Southeast Council.
cnu00l NEEnc IcTEn