Evening star., 1939-01-08
Civic Problems, Civic Bodies
Concerted Action on Legislation Needed:
NotionoI Representation in Spotlight
BY JESSE C. sUTER.

BY JESSE c. SUTER.
The all powerful national and
local legislature Of the voteless
and unrepresented National Cap
ital community assembled on
Tuesde" and is getting organized
for the first session Of the 18th
Congress. This event and the
civic matters linked with the con-
vening of Congress are Of alb
sorbing interest to organized civic
Washington: If the organizations
are to get anywhere with District
legislation which they desire they
will have to be up and doing,
In season and out of season, with
q thoroughness and perserver-
ance that will break all former
records.
A review of the civic problems
involved In the budget, and taxa
ton, fiscal relations, education,
reorganization of the functions Of
the District government and the
numerous other legislative items
indicates that there is need for
q comprehensive program which
would have the united support Of
all Of the organized bodies which
are working for Washington.
Those familiar with the legisla-
tive process can see many advan-
tages in concerted action ON all
major projects and proposals,
especially where they are non-
controversial.
The District 1910 budget, as
sent to Congress by the Presi-
dent, releases this important in
formation for the first time to the
taxpayers who will be required to
foot the bill. The next stage In
budget making will be secret
while in charge Of the House Ap-
preparations Subcommittee. The
next release will be when the
budget is reported to the House
by the full Appropriations Com
m1ttee. The Senate Subcommit.
tee Of the Appropriations Com
mittee Is usually less secretive in
its handling Of the District ap-
propriations bill so that q fair
idea may be had by District resi-
dents as to what is being done.
The final chapter of secrecy will
be when the bill is in conference.
The budget for 1910 as ap-
proved by the Federal Bureau Of
the Budget totals $47 ,677 ,780,
which is q cut of over $500, 900 be-
low the amount as approved by
the District Commissioners. It is
$688, ,272 less than the appropria-
tions for the current year. The
bureau estimates q deficit Of So
,870, and Auditor Donovan,
$4,279, 900.
These estimates are based on q
continuation Of the Federal pay
ment of q 5000. 900 lump sum
and the lapse Of both the $1.75
real estate and tangible personal
property tax rate and of the busi-
ness privilege tax. Students Of
District finance are agreed that
If the payment by the United
States was increased to an equit-
able share the total of the bud
get could be raised substantially
to meet some of the accumulated
urgent needs and there would be
no deficit or necessity for finding
new sources of revenue.
As usual the school building
construction and school site items
are hardest hit in the slashing Of
the budget. Requests Of the Com
missioners for so additional po-
licemen were ignored, as well as
numerous. items marked urgent
or desirable. On the whole the
Bureau of the Budget has not
strengthened its position with the
organizations of the District.
They are more determined than
ever to work to take the Dis
trict budget out Of the hands Of
that Federal bureau.
d. c. National Representation
Put Up to the 10th Congress.
Joint resolutions proposing
amendments to the Constitution
Of the United States granting ma
tional representation to the res
idents Of the District were In.
troduced In the House during the
first days Of the new Congress.
The resolution, long supported by
the Citizens Joint Committee on
District OF Columbia National
Representation was presented in
the House Of Representatives by
Representative Mary T. Norton,
Democrat Of New Jersey, and
will be introduced In the Senate
by Senator Arthur Capper, Re-
publican Of Kansas. SO this form
Of resolution will continue to be
known as the Capper-N Norton
joint resolution, sponsored by .
Senator and q Representative
who have rendered distinguished
service as chairmen Of the Dis
trict Committees Of the respec-
tive houses.
This resolution proposes to
amend the Constitution by en-
powering Congress to grant vot-
ing representation to District res
idents In the Senate and House Of
Representatives and among the
electors Of President and vice
prAsident and flR anssSn rie1aka N
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