Evening star., 1946-01-23
|CoffeeSupports
Plan 10 Double
u. ). Sum toD.C.
Suggests Drive by
Residents to Obtain
Fiscal Equity

Full support of the plan of Senator
O'Mahoney, Democrat. Of Wyoming
for adoption of a fixed formula for
measuring the Federal payment to-
ward the District, which next year
would about double the current
$4,000, 900, was given today by Chair
man Coffee of the House District
Appropriations Subcommittee.
II think it should be more" he
said, "but it's adoption would greatly
ease the financial problem now
facing the District under the record
breaking budget of $81 sos ,000."
Advocating a drive by Washington
citizens for fiscal equity" he cited
a number of cases of extra costs
being heaped on National Capital
residents, and warned that the Dis
trict would not be able to finance
new pay raises unless other revenue
sources were found.
Sees Pay Raise Due.
District as we'll as Federal work.
ers are due a pay raise, to meet the
increased costs of living" he said,
but at present I can't see how the
District can meet such a burden
unless some sources of additional
revenues are found.
1.-THE District budget as submitted
takes up about all the savings built
up during the war years."
Mr.. Coffee said he was opposed
to adoption of a sales tax for the
District, though he anticipated it
might be one of several new meas
ures suggested to increase local
revenues. He said he doubted
whether the House would approve
such a step, though most States
have sales taxes.
His Appropriation Subcommittee,
he said, would consider probable
revenues next fiscal year in the
light of outlays recommended, but
he stressed that any new revenue
legislation would have to come from
the District Committee, unless there
was a boost in the lump sum Fed
eral payment.
Recommends Drive.
Mr. Coffee recommended a drive
by District taxpayers and citizens
generally for adoption of a larger
and fairer" Federal payment than
the present $6,000,000. which
amounts to only 9 per cent of the
general fund charges now proposed
for ls47.
Also, he declared, steps should be
taken now to relieve District resi-
dents of at least some extra costs
such as the 100000 or more due to
free water given each year to Gov
eminent buildings.
"In my home city Of Tacoma
WASH" he said, "the United States
pays the city both the water
and the electric power service il
gets from the city. Why should not
that be the case here, or anywhere
else? Shouldn't the Federal Gov
ernment pay its bills like any other
consumer"
While the District realty tax rate
is mot high" he said, it should be
remembered that the District assess
ments are close to current sales
prices as distinguished from low val
uations used in most Jurisdictions
Cites st. Elizabeth's Patients.
For another example, he cited the
proposed increase next year of more
than $500, 600 in District costs fol-
patients at st. Elizabeth's Hospital
and declared the District is paying
high costs for patients that more
properly" should be charged to some
State.
Many persons, later becoming
patients, come here because this is
the National Capital" he said, land
after they are here for a year they
are charged to the District. But
they would not come here if this
were not the National Capital. There
should be some adjustment for this
The Coffee subcommittee, which is
scheduled to begin executive hear
ings on the District budget soon, will
make a series of personal inspection
trips soon to District institutions, he
said.
Recreation and library facilities
he added, should be greatly expand
ed and he praised District rent con-
troll. Commercial rents, he said
probably should be placed under
control. The committee would wan,
specific proof of the need of the pro.
posed increase in traffic signal lights