Evening star., 1951-11-11

in other communities where the highly
More knowledge Needed Regarding FiscoI Relations
Members of the frequently blamed o
lack OF of the fiscal relations between the Fedora
and understanding is not confined Capitol Hill
among local people Some these District Columbia
Recently by groups have
spoken of the good old days when the
cent OF the District budget the
remaining 40 cent AS matter of fact
per snd other the @ 20
recent editorial in another Washington
referred to the time when the United States paid go the
The highest percentage Federal payment
Capital so under the Organic which
brief prepared Citizens Committee on Fsca
Relations for presentation to the Jacobs Committee
wealth OF information which should be generally known
here quoted:
Proprietors Donated Land.
original Washington donated five .seventh
Of the ciy soil and the right of self
develop magnificent own expense re
itself part from the OF the sale Of the donated
and Capital for threefouhs of century local
to almost the entire burden of Capital develop
ment.
method
period partner what pleased But although
the local community raised dbursed
taxable measuring obligations the
Nation its obligation
during this period Of the infancy Twice during that perioe
community became virtually bankrupt striving
unafded the task OF Capital development"
Recognized Primary Obligation.
One of the chief Organic Act Of 1878 its
definite recognition of the principle SUPPORT
primary obligation of the United States which gav
practical expression in its
lated funded Of the District and oneha future
expenses
AS stated in the brief of 1896 At the
power OF eaxaon away from the District thus giving th
Federal Government the right fix the local contribution
as its own
the half and half plan effect
the local community protected against excessive taxation by
Capital would matched with
equal by the Federal who exercised complete control
while the half andha plan Of the Organic Act Of 1878
remained operation the local communitys SO cent did
Capital because paying Washing
tonans also their proporona share the Fedora
eo-4o-District so and u S. 40.
1920 and 1921 the ratio of changed by
the District This the substantive law in 1922 and
nued for despite attempts amend repeal it. Be-
practice of appropratng The 1880 law
repealed in 1888 and lump sum substituted.
6040 sharing
Columbia the local community still had modified degree of
the Federal City for the annual appropriation increased in the
there was an that the Federal obligation would
be raised at least in definite ratio the
paid by the local community.
"But" states the years the nationa
partner possessing all the decision
smaller end of the ratio of
of information has noted
ments tor certain years are follows 1925 2s
iso per cent 1885, 1874 per cent?
l3 cent 1940 122 cent? 947 93
cent; 1851, 81 cent; 1852. 80 per cent.
Fixed Proportions Is Solution.
OF this question of fiscal equity the Federal
and District governments is problem standing regarding
which there vast compilations statistics
ments all of which simmer down remedy solution
That solution to be found in the establishment definite plan
for reasonable apporonment of obligations support
community 1t would that thorough of this question
by an able committee upon which the District would
be adequately represented could fixed ratio which would
actual equity between
to its fiscal affairs.
by touord
Of its seat OF Government misleadne and
unfair Earnest civic workers have for tried to
the Congress the local ctzeny and the the
share or Federal payment To call contribution to
that the Government approached by as mendcant
hat in hand begging '
The real situation entirely It has been clearly eab
shed that the United States has the primary obligation to
its exclusively governed Capital City AS matter there
very definite partnership between the
voee and unepreSented citizens District of Columbia The
Federal Government the apoweu controlling partner anl
the other partner the District completely without voice
or ~ ~
habit Of referring to the Fedora,
as the Nations snare in the support of its capital.
Whot Citizens Groups Have Monthly Publications?
This column has had numerous
official monthly publications by the various civic
and address of the editor and information to whether IL
shed by the association directly
by the association Sending the data
permit the column to supply the information demand
1t VIII be especially helpful copies of the publications question
sent to The Star marked for the attention editor
Your supplying such data will enable the rendering
value to a number of your fellow organizations.
Gold Star Wives More Canned PineoppIe
The Potomac Area Chapter spending $22 million year