Evening star., 1937-06-13
Taxing Congressional Incomes
A Logical Help for Uncle Sam.


STRIPPED to bare facts, the pro-
posal to levy a District Of CO.
lumbia income tax on the salaries
OF Congressman is considered by
many to be both logical and reas-
enable. To thus take over for
Uncle Sam part Of his burden
OF National Capital operation would
be only fair for it was the Con-
gress itself which ha. sought to
shift the burden to other shoulders.
There Is no denying the fact
that the pending District financial
problem is due more to the failure
OF the National Government to
bear its fair share Of the cost OF
the operation. maintenance, ex-
pansion and Identification of the
Capital City than to any other
cause. The passage by the Senate
Of the District of Columbia ap-
preparation bill for the fiscal year.
1898, Of S46,60o,O0O indicates an
estimated deficit Of revenues OF
about $7,50000.
The House District Committee in
quest OF new sources OF revenue
has included in It's tax bill an in
come tax from which congressional
salaries would not be exempt.
While this would be a sort of logi-
cal pinch hitting for Uncle Sam,
some Of our local legislators, who we
have no part in choosing, appear
not to relish the idea They are
not impressed by statements Of some
Of their colleagues who contend
that the same reasons exist as to
them for payment Of District taxes
as apply TO the local resident. All
OF the advantages Of residence here
open to other residents are theirs
and In addition they have numerous
benefits denied to the general run
OF citizens.
Under the old plan Of definite
proportion payment by the Federal
Government, one of the determin-
ing factors was these services rem
dered to the individuals residing
here who really comprise the Ma
tional Government. Some of our
citizens see very simple and
fair way for members OF Congress
relieving themselves and their con-
science Of any necessity for giving
up part OF their salaries for the
support of the District and that
would be by seeing to it that Uncle
Sam resume the contribution of
an equitable amount as was done
in the past.
OF the amount, $46 100000, in
the pending bill the District is to
pay s4l,600,000, or about 80 per
cent and the United States S5.C00.-
900, or about II per cent. Under
the unrepealed substantive law the
District would pay s27,960.000. or
60 per cent, and the United States
sl8,640000 or 40 per cent. 1t is
unnecessary to add that if the law
was observed there would be no
anticipated deficit.
II. instead Of the s5,O0O,O 900 lump
sum, the Government would carry
about 27 per cent Of the load.
here would be the division Of costs
District, s33.95l 900. or 73 per
cent. and the United States, Sl2.-
$4,000, or ~ per cent. The Fed
eral Government has made many
outright grants to different COM
munities under the P. w. A. OF 80
per cent Of amounts advanced so
that 81 per cent would be modest
amount which would balance the
budget without resorting to any
new or increased taxes.
The bleness of greater
liberality by the National Govern
ment toward its Capital is further
seen when We recall the large
amount paid annually by the Dis
trict in the form OF national taxes
from which any share OF the Fed
eral Government would come.
During the fiscal year ending June
30, 1886, the District paid in such
national taxes s17,322,929, which
was greater than the payments of
each Of Is States and more than
the aggregate paid by nine States.
To the civic leaders much heavier
taxes appear inevitable at this
time. All hope for the eventual
working out a plan for fiscal equity
has not been abandoned. Congress
may some day, it is hoped. VOL
unfairly turn over q new leaf and
stop treating the District like a
step-child. But to many the only
sure route to fiscal equity lies
through the difficult process of an
amendment to the Constitution
which will grant the District vot-
ing representation in the councils
Of the Nation as enjoyed by other
national Americans.