Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-06-15
Mr.. Tober and the Record

Mr.. Tober and the Record
1t becomes the sad duty Of The Star. on
occasion, to set the record straight on matters
relating to the District of Columbia. The record,
In this and numerous other cases. is the Con-
gressional Record. For example, as an argument
to support reduction of the Federal payment in
the House last week, Representative Taber OF
New York made such observations as these:
Mr. Chairman, the thing that really counts
on this amendment (to reduce the Federal pay
ment) is what is the fair and right thing to d.
think we ought to consider great many things
In this connection. Amongst them is this: The
District of Columbia was presented with the
water plant by the Federal Government"
The construction Of the District water plant,
including the supply system began about 1853.
almost hundred years ago. Since this Begin
ming the Federal Government has appropriated
$9,777,9 for the water plant and has received
far more than that in return in the form OF
water on which it paid nothing. The District OF
Columbia taxpayers, out of general taxes ana
water taxes have paid into the same plant
$34, 86s,393. All of this money went into plant
construction Since 1915, operating costs of the
water plant have come exclusively from local
revenues Since 1925 all plant expansion has
been paid for from local revenues. Mr.. Taber
is hardly accurate when he says that the District
of Columbia was presented" with its water plant
by the Federal Government.
In 1947 the Federal Government began ap-
propriating million dollars annually to pay Tor
the water it used, up to that time without cost
to the Federal Government. The cost OF this
water has increased 100000. But the House
refused to appropriate the increase, thereby
taking 5000 900 worth of water Free at District
expense Is that the flair and right thing to
do?
Continuing, Mr.. Taber said:
There are the grandest parks In the
United States available to the people Of the
District of Columbia, scot-free, paid for by the
Federal Government at an annual cost OF mil
lions of dollars. The Federal Government not
only paid for the parks in the first place, whereas
your folks and my folks back home have to pay
for their own, but the expense OF operating them
Is paid for by the Federal Government"
The Federal Government pays the cost Of
maintaining some small park areas in the
vicinity Of the Washington Monument Lincoln
Memorial, Jefferson Memorial and part OF the
Mall, and Washingtonianss contribute to this
cost through their Federal taxes. Local taxpayers
are charged with cost OF the remainder-ln-
GLIDING the Zoo For this fiscal year there Will
be appropriated for Federal park maintenance
in the District 81 1871 ,O00-al from District reve-
nue. This money will administer, operate, i'm
prove and protect a Federal park system in
Washington consisting of 6eo3 acres.
Since the early 'S0s, parks have been
bought from SIC million authorized under Cap
per-Cramton legislation. This is all repaid from
District of Columbia funds, on terms far less
advantageous, incidentally, than the terms en-
ioyed by Virginia and Maryland in obtaining
money advanced to those States for the same
purpose Title to the parklands rests with the
United States, though bought with local funds
Said Mr. Taber: I'm my home town, includ-
ing State and Federal property, there is more
property, in proportion, tax free, than there is
here in Washington" 81
The Star is in receipt of this telegram from
Mr. Taber's home newspaper, the Auburn, New
York, Citizen and Advertiser: "City Treasurers
best estimate is that 36h per cent of Auburn
land is tax exempt" @
More than so per cent of the land area OF
the District Excluding streets is tax exempt.
The value of taxable property in the District is
6o3 per cent of the total valuation In I'll cities
of the United States the average value Of taxable
property is S1S per cent of the total. If the
Federal Government paid taxes on its tax
exempt property in Washington its tax bill
would be $4,000 00-twice as much as the lump
sum. as cut by the House
Mr.. Taber was guilty of other inaccuracies.
His conclusion was that "There is no reason for
a Federal contribution at all" Under Mr.. Taber's
craftsmanship Of the Appropriations Committee,
in the 80th Congress- the lump sum was in
creased. For he as chairman of that committee,
had the responsibility and the increase was
necessary. Now that he is the ranking minority
member of the committee, it Is part of the
accepted strategy of his position to oppose the
majority, which in committee voted against
reducing the Federal payment.
The Star understands that But in making
his arguments, he should stick to the facts-n
there are any facts to support his argument.
He produced none whatsoever.
Soviet Justice
In the life of lot Of schoolboys all over