Evening star., 1952-04-13

1t cannot be replaced-can never
be replaced. Residents of the Dis
trict of Columbia are required
and expected to make up such loss
in revenues by increased taxes.
There has been a tremendous
expansion Of the Federal Govern
ment in the last 10 or Is years.
In addition to property Federally
owned, we have the terrific impact
of privately owned tax-exempt
property. Foreign governments,
for embassy and legation purposes,
own large and valuable holdings
within this District which are
exempt from the payment of
taxes for real estate. Large ma
tional organizations have secured
Acts of Congress specifically
texempting them from real estate
taxes. The future program al
ready approved looks toward an
ever-increasing tax-exempt roll.
While we are thinking in terms
of real estate. reference might
also be made to the ever-enlarg-
ing development of park areas in
the District. The National Zoolog-
Iical Park, which is indeed a
national park, under the control
of the Board of Regents of the
Smithsonian Institution, is main
tanned and operated solely from
District funds. Much of Rock
Greek Park was acquired with
District funds, and approximately
$12 million has been appropriated,
and an additional 81 million
authorized to be spent, under the
provisions of the Capper- -Cramton
Act-May 20. 1930-and all the
land so acquired throughout the
years by the Federal Government
with District money is titled in
the United States of America.
District FOOts Expenses.
The policing of these parks is
at District expense-the mainte-
nance and upkeep of these parks
are at District expense. Congress
has certainly been conscious OF
its responsibility for the develop
ment Of the parks in a manner
befitting the Nations Capital and
for the people of all the States
in the Union,
All of these matters herein re-
ferred to were fully surveyed. dis
cussed, and considered before the
Joint Fiscal Committee which
considered the Revenue Bill of
1947, and nowhere in the report
is there an indication that the
$12 million is anywhere near the
maximum amount which the Dis
trict should expect by the way of
an equitable payment.
Permit me, Mr.. Chairman. to
point out some items which may
be of interest to the committee.
These annual costs. past debts
and future obligations all should
be seriously considered.
1. Special police details for
specific Federal and kindred pur-
poses:
(a) Performed by Metropoli-
tan Police.
CD Estimated annual cost
$4,000.
Fire Expenses Cited.
2. Responses to fires in Federal
buildings, washing and pumping
out flooded Federal buildings,
special details, and fire fighting
and prevention instruction given
Federal personnel:
(a) Performed by the Fire
Department.
(b) Estimated annual cost
$4,000.
= 3. Temporary Home for Ex-
soldiers and Ex-sailors:
(a) Performed by Public We'll
fare.
(b) Estimated annual cost
$31 900.
4. Installing of curbs and gut
ters abutting Federal property:
(a) Performed by Highway
Department.
(b) Estimated annual cost
$4,000.
S. Issuing motor vehicle license
plates and title certificates for
Federal and diplomatic vehicles
and congressional tags for special
parking privileges:
(a) Performed by Depart
ment of Vehicles and Traffic.
(b) Estimated annual cost
$4,000.
6. Cleaning streets abutting