Evening star., 1944-09-24
Our Shrinking Area
Of TuxubIe Lund
1t Poses a Future Problem
For Solution Now.

~ 0A0OuS 60uuO
1t Poses a Future Problem
For Solution Now.
BY Ben McKelDay.
II history repeats itself the end Of the
war viii be followed by another produce
tive period in the physical development
of Washington as the Federal City.
Generally speaking, this Is an eminently
desirable prospect from the point of
view Of the exclusively controlling Ma
ton as well as for the residents Of the
Washington community. The develop
ment will include many steps in the
creation of q more beautiful Capital and
more livable city. 1t will also magnify
some Of the problems given emphasis
by past periods OF development One of
these Is the continued removal Of land
from the tax rolls to the exempt list,
presenting a situation wherein steadily
increasing tax burden must be borne by
steadily diminishing area of the tax
able real estate remaining within the
fixed boundaries OF the District Of
Columbia.
The implications Of this condition in
the future development of Washington
as the National Capital are found in the
history OF the relatively recent past.
Budget Oflicer Walter L. Fowler and
Assessor Edward A. Dent have. been
making an interesting preliminary
study. suggested by congressional COM
mittee last winter, of tax exemption and
park development in Washington. It de-
rives added Importance In view of pend
ing legislation to centralize practically all
future city planning and land purchase
in an enlarged and more influential
National Capital Park and Planning
Commission. 1t sheds additional light on
the necessity Of finding some workable
formula for a fair division of Capital
City expenses between q National Gov
eminent which does all the controlling
and local community OF taxpayers
which does most of the paying.
OF the total land area Of the District,
excluding streets, 24.6 per cent now Is
park land. and only 5l.2 per cent Of the
total land area now Is taxable. The trend
toward increasing tax exemption Of real
estate is indicated by reduction Of the
taxable land area Of 1889 acres in 1885
to 1898 acres in 1914, decrease Of 1l.s
per cent, due principally to Government
acquisitions Between 1882 and 1899 the
Federal Government alone removed
property from the tax rolls valued at
more than $26 6.0O0,0 900. There has been
an accompanying rise in the value of
land per acre In the District-an in
crease Of about 80 per cent between 1895
and ls44-although there has been no
determination yet Of the definite effect
OF Increasing tax exemption on the value
OF the land that remains taxed
With the development of Washint ION
as the Federal City, this trend to tax
exemption Of real estate WILL OF course,
continue and in few more years there
will be much more exempt than tax
able real estate in the District Of
Columbia. The Senate Appropriations
Committee is now making a new study
OF this condition in an effort to find
some acceptable formula by which to
Offset losses in taxable land areas by rea-
son OF their transfer to the exempt list
the large percentage Of exemption being
due to the fact that Washington is the
Capital. Agreement on that formula
should be an essential part Of any future
plan OF Federal City development.
Park development In Washington
since 1924 has been one of the most
beneficial Of the Capitals improve-
ments. 1t really began with the Gre
alton that year Of the National Capital
Park Commission, which later became
the National Capital Park and Plan
ming Commission. Establishment of
this agency. the national interest in
Washington's development as a Capital
which 1t has inspired and the appropri-
alton of funds for purchase of parks
represent real progress.
But some examination of the part
played by the local taxpayer in this
development makes clear his interest
in having some say-so In how the money
he Is called upon to pay In taxes Is
spent. The intent of the Capper-
Cramton Act, under which parks and
Fairgrounds have been acquired since
1890. Is indicated by the authorization
for annual appropriations for such
purchases mot exceeding one cent for
each inhabitant Of the continental
United States as determined by the
last decennial census" The language
was used Intentionally to imply that
the money appropriated would come
from all the people of the United States,
In whose name the title rests, and not
merely from the taxpaying residents
Of the District of Columbia.
But 1t never worked out that way.
OF the $l1,500,000 spent for park land
by the Park and Planning Commis-
sion between July l, 1924, and June
30, 1943 (this sum including part Of
the expense Of this Federal agency,
Mr.. Fowler's study shows that the local
taxpayer has paid about 80 per cent,
the Federal Government 20 per cent.
This Is to be contrasted with the terms
under which land along the river, in
Virginia and Maryland, has been ac-
quired for the George Washington
Memorial Parkway, the Federal Gov
ernment dividing the cost equally with
the States. Or the terms with the
Maryland National Capital Park and
Planning Commission, under which the
National Government meets q third of