Evening star., 1936-10-25

ments to the Commissioners were
made public. but not the Commis-
sioners' report to the budget in detail.
This Is the most confounded appro-
priating system" chimed in Roberts.
"The Federal Government controls
expenditures down almost to q lead
pencil. There Is no effective way for
a citizen to protest"
Roberts also charged that the gen.
eral public was hampered by what
he called false economy in regard
to reports" He criticized what he
called the customary habit, the lazy
habit" of giving only the large sums
proposed, but omitting detail.
Clayton Urges Representation.
The disfranchised status OF the
residents Of the District was stressed
as a vital factor in the problem Of
fiscal relations by William NICK. Clay
ton, veteran civic worker, who for
many years has been chairman OF
the Public Utilities Committee Of the
Federation of Citizens Associations.
Clayton, who had been an inter-
ested observer throughout the long ses-
sion suddenly arose and asked the
committee to consider the political
inequity, in connection with the fiscal
inequity Of the District.
I'VE have no vote. no participation
in the Government, no control over
expenditures or the collection of
taxes" Clayton declared. I'VE be-
lieve that if we had the vote, if we
could levy. collect and disburse our
own taxes, We would be far better
of in the way Of expenditures. There
would be q direct guardianship over
the people who spend our money"
Clayton denounced the patronage"
situation which he said existed under
the present relations between District
officials and members Of Congress. He
said If . Senator should happen to
move on an unimproved street, it
would not be long before that street
was improved.
Clayton also claimed that members
Of Congress influence q number OF ap-
pointments in the District service.
Dykstra asked him how many en-
ployes there are in the District service.
He was told there are $4,000.
There Is considerable patronage
among them," remarked Clayton.
II would say q considerable pay
roll." remarked Dykstra.
Appointments Criticized.
Dykstra was told that while some
of the Districts employees, including
members Of the police and fire de-
partments, are appointed from the
civil service register, there are num-
ber of others who are appointed either
by the Commissioners or various agen-
cies OF the District.
Its q civil service that works when
you don't want to appoint somebody, "
injected Roberts. He also declared
that while some Of the employees are
appointed under civil service. they
don't have the protection Of the civil
service.
Clayton resumed his argument on
national representation and pointed
out this time that "the Federal Gov
ernment has complete control over the
finances Of the District"
Clayton complained that in the form
of government here, there is no vote,
and started to explain further, when
he was interrupted by Dykstra, who
declared:
I'm other words, you have a good
| government"
Clayton took up the challenge. Zone
Commissioner here characterized the
District government as an absolute
despotism," he declared. "You say II
is an ideal form of government. Why
is 1t that no other city in the United
States has gone to it? We are unique
and struck down"
Clayton concluded with q stirring
plea to the experts to consider the
voteless plight of the city. In connec'
ton with fiscal relations.
Federal Holdings Growing.
Several times the question of thu
ever increasing Federal holdings ane
the effect on Washington bobbed up
Richards first called attention to thu
value Of the Federal property wher
he said the amount of the contribu'
ton should be between $4,000. 900 anc
SIC, 100000. Later, Anderson sale
studies made by his organization
showed that the United States ownee
81 per cent Of all property in the
District.
James w. Martin, chairman Of ths
Kentucky State Tax Commission. th<
third member Of the Presidents com
mittee, said he would like to have evi.
dence to show whether the removal o.
District property from the tax roll
by the United States Is reducing thu
tax revenue.
"I believe It does" said Anderson.
"The figures do not show that" re-
marked Dykstra.
Roberts joined in the argument ant
declared that as the Federal propert!
holdings increased, residential prop
erty is reduced, and 1T becomes in
creasingly expensive to live In th'
District"
I'VE all know about that, too, re
marked Dykstra.
As the final hearing opened, Chair
man McAneny treasured Colladal
that the fiscal relations study OF tht
cost Of services provided the Fedora
Government BY the District, or vtc'
versa, constitutes only Z minor ele'
| ment In the comprehensive invss'