Evening star., 1942-01-25
Civic Problems, CivicB Bodies
Crosstown Bus in Operation Today;
Fiscal Equity Problem Acute
BY JESSE C. SUTER.


Fiscal Equity Problem Acute
By JESSE c. sUTER.
Civilian defense problems very properly continue to occupy
considered in meetings Of the bodies last week.
had civilian defense slant.
control elimination penny
for OF the boys and girls sreecar and other noises
the night riding riding bicycles against
ac and riding sidewalks the subjects considered
Protests against
zonig of the Friendship housing development
which 1t contended will destroy values in the Restricted
demand buildings for the
night aad watches and that teachers required
remain such duty later than pm
supported by the Board Education.
The Board OF Trade handed special of
business firms to their business hours assist in the
effort to better handle rshour street traffic An able committee
under the leaderhp President working
this difficult problem and receiving busi
District legislation continues gives promise
action several bills which needs
Committee the District Of Columbia edition
the committee Legislative Calendar under date January 1912
It No of the Second Session the
1t very informative publication From we learn that to
its bills considered District
Committees the have been enacted
into law OF these rs House bills and Is originated in the
Senate
continues
daon and recreation bills Both of these expected
to be soon in proper form for action
the bill found, study,
to require the change ampcaon of number Of adminsra
other overlooked working
Of these defects the committee has been having valuable
assistance Of both bench and bar
New Crosstown Bus Line Begins Today
redetter day with number Of the neighbohood
between Wesmoreland Circle Catholic University began
ton This line expected considerable time for In
It will prove particularly valuable to students at both the
Catholic and the American Universities Another prediction Of the
the line is that will eventually reduce Of the
load through permitting
bound for city destinations to transfer to Of the several inter-
secting and lines.
Encouraged by the getting the Public Utilities Com
mission the first rostovn line the Federation Citizens
Associations and of its constituent bodies urging the
establishment Of line the Military This
northern line recommended Public Utilities Committee
Of the Federation Citizens Associations last The advocates
OF the route which was opened today succeeded getting the Fed
GRAFTON to simply favor cosstown line without specifying the
route The Federation at its recent meeting voted unanimously
urging the establishment of the Military road line.
Population Growth Makes Fiscal Equity Problem Acute
rapid the population of the Dis
trct Columbia emphasizes the fiscal nequty
which that voes unrepresented community required
operate To the already large population of Federal employees and
families there further during the
25O,OoO persons
community large subject
alton lists very limited would difficult take
such large growth in short time
nifty would authority through of
the taxing appropriation to finance the required
sion of the municipal services.
entirely First
cts largest industry which controls the community declines
its the municipal costs Secondly the Federal Gov
ernent represented by Congress is complete control Of the
finances of the District 1t lays the taxes and appropaes the
resulting tax money
great partaty Government.
responsible
for the present municipal overload.
The question arises continually in all Of local civic
to what the District people do about this fiscal nequty
Possessing only that constitutional unsatisfactory
petition time time trouble and
expense showing fiscal conditions here and else
fairness these exhibits have been
by study experts employed Congress They indicate
clearly equitable treatment of the National Capital community
would result Federal toward the support
the enactment of taxation laws which would
burden upon District residents alike The fight for fiscal
equity has been long and problem continues unsoved and
at present much more acute
Unlike the of property
taxation in the District basis of 100 cent OF
other communities such assessments usually
much lower percentage actual value The present DIS
tax rate on real estate per $l0O value low
with other places but idea OF the burden
unless knows whether the
which this rate applied high or low as compared with the
real value Of the property.
his plea for fiscal equity is confronted
will look only at the tax rate
ignore entirely important factor which is the rate OF
assessment.
Another matter avoided completely in considering
particularly at this time of extraordinary burden
District
payers Federal The District annually than
oneha the States But there to be chance
community voice vote in the
councils Nation miracle the Congress
would have complete change and resolve to deal Justly
voeess and unreprented involuntary constituents OF
the District of Columbia.
City Refuse Division Handicapped by Lack of Funds
outdoor Cleanliness Association met
comprehensive the act
capabilities City Division important
of department increased largely the population
inadequate this
cleaning the collection and disposal
Of garbage and refuse
The prospect for the year 1e43 is little any, better
present. is needed and only small
budget estimate
the division cut by the Commissioners about $4,000