Evening star., 1945-12-19

in the structure about which there
had been criticism.
AS regards taxes on real property
1t should be stated that a consider
able amount of additional revenue
has been derived from this source
through reappraisements of prop
critics already on the tax rolls as
well as from the development of
heretofore unsettled sections of the
city.
1t must be remembered that the
area of the District is limited: the
amount of taxes to be derived from
real property is therefore also linn
ited. In fact, it Is lessened every
time the Federal Government pur-
chases additional property an
every time the Congress sets aside
tract of land for some special
purpose. At the present time there
is discussion of the establishment
OF a memorial to war veterans on
a valuable piece of land, which, if
approved, would not only remove
the property from the tax rolls but
would eliminate the possibility of
such additional revenue that would
be received should a private build
ing occupy the site.
In making this study no effort was
made to compare the taxes paid by
residents ofthe District of Columbia
with those paid by residents of other
cities of the United States. The
reasons for this are as follows:
ID 1t was not felt that such a
study came within the purview OF
the resolution of the committee.
(2) Due to the unique position OF
the District of Columbia in relation
to the Federal Government, and the
many exceptions and allowances that
would have to be made, it was felt
that any effort to Include such a
would cloud rather than
clarity the matter.
go The question for determination
is the amount of the annual pay
ment TO be made by the Federal
Government toward the expenses OF
the government of the District of
Columbia In making this determi-
nation there is for consideration
only the relations between the two
governments. Therefore, COM
parison of taxes paid by the residents
of the District of Columbia and those
OF other cities would not appear to
have any place in determining the
amount Of the payment.
However, realizing that questions
on this matter will undoubtedly be
there has been obtained from
the Bureau of the Census a set OF
tables. (These tables, 10 in number
are summarized in a story appearing
with this report
There is also set forth a table
showing the revenues of the general
fund of the District of Columbia for
the period 1885 through 1914. A
study of this table should be ample
evidence that Congress has indeed
provided for the residents of the
District to pay their share of the
expenses of the National Capital.
(This table shows that, in 1885, the
general fund totaled s33,674,346. in
creasing annually until, in 1914, it
reached s55.680,l84)
Parks.
The development of park areas In
the District deserves major consid-
Grafton For a number of years
Congress has given much thought
10 this question.
The first large tract acquired was
The National Geological Park, which
was purchased under an act of
March 2, 1889. at a cost of $780,
,64 "a, one-half of which was borne
~ the United States and one-half
oy the District of Columbia. The ad-
of the park was placed
lnder the Smithsonian Institution,
out all expenditures for improve
nents. maintenance and operation
nave been paid from the funds of
he District of Columbia.
The next step in the development
If the park system was the purchase
If Rock Creek Park, which was es-
,ablished by an act OF September q,
1890. This act declares that the
tract shall be perpetually dedicated
and set apart as a public park or
pleasure ground for the benefit and
enjoyment of the people of the
United States.
In 1924 Congress created the Ma
tional Capital Park Commission
(later changed to the National Cap
ital Park and Planning Commits
'ion) to preserve the national seem
cry in and about Washington. and
TO provide for comprehensive, sys-
and continuous Develop
nent' of park, parkway, and play
ground systems Of the National Cap
ital and it's environs.
The commission was authorized
to acquire such lands as in it's judg-
ment shall be necessary and desir-
able within the limits of the
appropriations made for such pur-
poses.
AS regards the national aspect Of
the program. the act provided that
there is authorized to be appropri-
ated, each year. in the annual Dis
trict of Columbia Appropriation Act,
a sum not exceeding one cent for
each inhabitant of the continental
United States as determined by the
asst decennial census.
This language was used inten-
,ionally to imply that the money so
appropriated would come from all
the people Of the United States, in
whose name the title to these parks
rests, and not merely from the tax
paying residents of the District of
Columbia.
The Capper- -Cramton Act of May
20, 1880. authorized the appropria-
ion of $4,000, 900 out of the Treas
ury of the United States for the
purpose of acquiring lands in the
District of Columbia suitable for
The continuous development of park,
parkway and playground systems in
the National Capital to be appro-
priated as needed and to be re-
to the United States by
the District of Columbia in pay
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