Evening star., 1946-06-27

officials. In most instances District
officials are consulted but in 4 great
many we proceed regardless of their
wishes and even without consuita-
ton,
The plain fact is that Congress
has authorized in many instances,
appropriations to be paid for by
local taxpayers without the slightest
idea OF where the money is COM
ing from.
The plain fact is that we have
relieved ourselves and thousands Of
our constituents from paying taxes
in the District. We have endeav-
ored to satisfy selfish interests and
selfish groups without attempting to
ascertain all the facts in connection
with the items they have advocated
The plain TACT is that by far the
great majority of our members know
little or nothing of the District gov
ernment and have little or no time
to do anything with it.
During his argument Mr.. Tabor
declared he could not see why it
would hurt the District" to have
an increase in its real estate tax
rate, as he put 1t, to bring the Dis
trlct rate more into relationship
with that of other communities.
Randolph Favors Higher Payment.
Mr.. Randolph. former chairman
OF the House District Committee
and still one of its active members
vigorously supported the Appropria-
tlon subcommittee in the move for
a higher Federal payment. He said
the question had been studied over
many years by the legislativ group
and it was his opinion the Sc 900 900
lump sum was not just share for
the United States. He added the
belief that the people in the States
take a real pride in the development
and operation of their National
Capital and are in favor of an in
crease in the Federal contribution.
Representative Rich, Republican,
OF Pennsylvania protested that
everybody nowadays had their hand
out for more Federal funds and he
concluded it was about time the
people realized that the Govern
ment is about TO go bankrupt,
Chairman Cannon of the House
Appropriations Committee joined in
the opposition by asserting that the
question OF increases in Federal
payment should be decided as leg
lslatlve matter, rather than in an
appropriation bill.
Representative Smith. Democrat.
of Virginia pleaded with the House
to approve the 100000 increase.
Declaring that more than so per
cent of properties in the District
are taN-exempt, Mr.. Smith said 1t
''1ust isn't right" that the District
government is obliged to contribute
such a heavy share toward expenses
OF the National Capital.
Course Righteous, Smith Says.
Let's not be parsimonious, gentle
men,, Mr. Smith pleaded with his
colleagues. Its a righteous cause.
Representative Dirksen. Repub-
lican, of Illinois suggested that
conferees meet again and work out
eompromise-possibly an s8 900, 900
Federal payment"
THE District is broke" Mr. Dirk
sen told the House. Lets not fool
ourselves He added that the Com
missioners had visited him in the
past pleading with me to support q
sales tax in the District.
Il have proposed a sales tax in
the past. but I'm not so sure I'll do
1t IN the future" Mr.. Dirksen said
You can't run this town on Wind
and water"
Pieas that appropriations for Gal
llnger Municipal Hospital be greatly
increased to provide more adequate
help and enlargement of its physi-
cal plant were made to the House
Yesterday by Representative Bolton
Republican, OF Ohio.
She charged Congress had been
penny-Wise and pound foolish" in
restricting funds for the hospital
and declared existing conditions
represented shame" that fell on
Congress.
Specifically. she protested the
100000 reduction from the Senate
proposal for hiring extra personnel
Tor Gallinger's staff and urged an
early beginning of a large scale new
construction program proposed by
Gallnger authorities, for which
there is no provision in the pending
appropriations bill