Evening star., 1936-04-06
The Citizens Petition.

Argument accompanying past petitions
of the Citizens Joint Committee on
Fiscal Relations Between the District of
Columbia and the United States has
placed great emphasis on the evils and
inequities accompanying lump-sum prac-
tice. This years petition and accompany
ing argument take the view that such
evils and inequities are self-evident, as,
indeed, they are The remedial action
implored of Congress is to increase the
amount of the lump sum to avert the
serious difficulties now facing the Dis
trict. The petition. at the same time,
reiterates the belief that the fixed
ratio system of appropriations is the
only permanently equitable principle to
be applied to fiscal relations.
Inequities accompanying lump-sum
practice need not be discussed in the
abstract. They receive new demonstra-
ton on every hand The only protection
against excessive taxation of the un-
represented District has been destroyed
through annual evasion of a law which
required that for every dollar in local
taxes exacted from the local community
by the exclusively appropriating Con-
gress, the Federal Government would
contribute a definite amount. Already
the lump-sum payment is viewed by some
members of Congress as gift, gratuity,
instead of legal obligation for certain
definite benefits received and specific
responsibilities assumed. The only limi-
tation on the maXinlAm contribution is
placed upon the lump-sum appropria-
ton of the exclusively Ma
tional Government and, likewise, the
only contribution that is reduced Is the
national contribution; reduced at the
expense of the local taxpayer.
Senator Thomas has been impressed
by the unfair burden placed upon the
local community in support of school
system that provides educational facil-
tiles for the children of transient Gov
ernment employees and officials. Yet the
school system is only one of the Capital
institutions where the nature of services
rendered makes them distinctly semi
national and even national in character.
AS any one who undertakes seriously to
do ii will find 1t is impossible to divide
all National Capital expenses as dis
tinctly local or as distinctly national.
The only rational method of dividing
such expenses is by fixed ratio system
that recognizes the peculiar disabilities
of local residents-as distinct from those
applying to the self-governing taxpayers
of normal American cities-together with
the actual obligation of the Nation in
maintenance and support Of the Ma
tional Capital.
In Washington today the maintenance
of necessary municipal services is being
impaired by lack of funds; permanent
improvements are held to the bareSt
minimum, resulting in the annual
accumulation of postponed, unmet needs
Annual consideration of the District bill
has become the occasion for renewal
of hostile feelings. damaging to the local
community and causing rniSunderStand-'
ing and ill-feeling by some members Of
Congress in discharge of their consti-
tutional duties in reference to the
Capital.
The immediate need now is for
an increase in the national lump-sum
contribution to prevent unjustified
assumption of heavier tax burdens by
the local ommunity-without receiving
any greater appropriations-and will
recognize the crying need for more gen.
erous support of such items as public
health. public schools and school build
ings and many others with which Sen
ators considering the District bill are
now fully familiar.
The permanent need is for restoration
Of the fixed ratio of appropriations.