Evening star., 1941-03-06

the years, however contributions
were made. The percentage of the
total Federal contribution to the
total expenditures of the District
during this period from 1890 to 1879
was, according to the best available
information, 1877 per cent. The ag-
gregate expenditures for the District
of Columbia during this period were
$83, ,821 900 and the aggregate pay
ments by the Federal Government
amounted to S32,414,000, represent
ing, as above stated, 1877 per cent of
the total expenditures.
In 1878 Congress provided for a
contribution from Federal funds of
one-half the expenditures of the
District government. The Congress
adopted what is usually referred to
as the $3.50 basis of Federal con-
tribution. This system remained in
force for a years, from 1879 to 1920,
both inclusive. The so per cent con-
tribution was based upon no specific
factor or factors, but was adopted
as representing what Congress con-
sidered was proper percentage of
payment by the Federal Government
toward the District expenditures.
Under the $3.50 plan the contribu-
tion by the Federal Government
gradually increased from $1,717 900
in 1879 to 9,559 900 in 1920.
"Of course, the percentage of con-
tribution remained the same, but as
the expenditures of the District gov
ernment increased the contribution
by the Federal Government in
creased.
The Appropriation Act for the
fiscal year 1921 adopted new basis
of contribution, repeating by impli-
cation the $3.50 provision of 1878.
The new basis adopted was go per
cent by the local taxpayers. Again,
this 40-60 basis was not predicated
on any definite formula OF contri-
button and apparently expressed the
opinion of the Congress as to the
percentage of payment that should
be made by the Federal Government
as evidencing the obligation OF the
United States to the District.
Lump Sum Adopted in 1925.
THE 40-60 basis was continued in
practical operation from 1921 until
1924, both years inclusive. Under
the 1880 plan the contribution made
by the Federal Government varied
from a high of s9,218,00O in 1921 to
low of sS,910, 900 in 1923, which vari-
alton was dependent, of course, upon
the general expenditures Of the Dis
trict of Columbia. In 1925 Congress
abandoned the principle of fixed
percentage of Federal contribution
and adopted what is generally known
as the lump-sum basis, being such
annual contribution as, from year to
year, the Congress determines to be
proper.
The amount of Federal participa-
ton under the lump-Sum method
has varied from time to time. reach
ing a high of $500, 900 in 1881 to
low of $5,0000O0 during the fiscal
years of 1898 and 1899. This lump
sum plan of Federal contribution has
resulted in varying percentages OF
Federal payment to the District,
from 34.53 per cent (of the general
fund.- in 1925 down to 1924 per cent
in 1885 and II per cent in 1888.
Hence, Congress has from the
creation of the District of Columbia
to the present day recognized the
obligation of the United States to
make contributions to the expenses
of the government of the District
of Columbia"
The joint meeting was held at the
suggestion of Chairman Hunter of
the Fiscal Affairs Subcommittee of
the House District Committee and
cosponsor of the Overton formula.
Senator Overton, who conceived the
plan, is sponsoring it in the Senate.
He is chairman of the Fiscal Affairs
Subcommittee of the Senate District
Committee.
Civic Leaders Attend Meeting.
A number of members of the full
District Committee attended the
meeting at the request of Represent
ative Hunter. These included Rep
resentatives Hebert of Louisiana and
Russell of Texas, Democrats, and
Dirksen and Stratton, both Illinois
Republicans. The latter, the young
est member of the House, was ap-
pointed a member of the District
Committee yesterday.
In addition to District officials
the meeting also was attended by
a group of civic leaders which in