Evening star., 1941-03-21
Member of the Associated Press.
Busis of on Obligation

Senator Overton and Representa-
tive Dirksen, arriving at different
conclusions in their search for fair
method of measuring an equitable
Federal payment to the District,
both start out by considering the
relatively vast amount of Federal
property in the Capital which is
exempt from taxation.
Senator Overton's formula is
based on the ratio of Federal tax
exempt acreage to the total land
area of the District, after certain
deductions. Mr. Dirksen suggests
that the valuation of Federal tax
exempt property be considered.
Throughout the long discussion Of
the fiscal relations problem here,
the tax-eXempt Federal property,
which occupies so large part of the
total area of the District, has always
been one of the first considerations
In attempting to measure the extent
of the National Governments finan-
cial obligation toward maintenance
and support of the National Capital.
But this is not the only considera-
tion, and there are others which
should play prominent part in any
attempt to measure fairly the
amount that should be appropriated
annually in recognition of the Fed
eral obligation. Elsewhere in today's
Star the fourth of a series of edi-
torial articles dealing with the fiscal
relations question and the Overton
plan discusses some of these other
considerations.
The obligation of the National
Government was recognized in the
original selection Of site for the
Capital and the subsequent planning,
on broad scale, of a Federal City.
When the Nation reserved to itself
the complete power over this Fed
eral City, the obligation was in
creased by assumption of RESPONSE
bility for its development as the
American Capital. And the condi-
tion of the Capital City has reflected,
throughout its history, the degree
with which the Nation, through Con-
gress, shirked or fulfilled it's obliga-
ton and responsibility. When the
Nation shirked its obligation, the
Capital was national shame. When
the Nation met its obligation, the
Capital became the object of ma
tional pride.
In the report of the Senate Dis
trict Committee on the Overton for
mula, it is pointed out that the
Congress has uniformly recognized
the national obligation of making a
Federal payment to the upkeep of
the Federal City" But the measure
ment of that payment, since aban-
donment of the law fixing a definite
division of expenses, has caused end
less controversy and bitterness and
has retarded adequate maintenance
and development of the District.
The Overton formula proposes no
new recognition of responsibility. 1t
is advanced as fair and workable
method of annually measuring re-
sponsibility already recognized.
The Overton formula is not ad-
vanced now as an answer to the i'm
mediate and perhaps temporary
problems created by the sudden in
fux of defense workers and an alb
normal population increase. But the
creation of such problems represents
another argument in support of the
Federal obligation. For local taxes
In Washington, constituting over IS
per cent of the revenue upon which
the city depends, are high and
threaten to become even higher, not
because of the needs of the Wash
ington community, but because these
needs are the needs of the American
Capital.
Numerous instances of excessive
local expenditures, based on that
fact alone, have been shown in the
past. Some of them are illustrated
in today's special article. The de-
fense emergency is creating addi-
tional National Capital-not merely
local-needs every day. The recog-
milton of these needs should prove
an added incentive to those working
for approval in both houses of the
Overton formula.