Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-07
'Maior Policy Sought
On U.S.. Aid to DC.
Mclaughlin
Asks Congress
For Decision
BY JAMES G. DEANE

BY JAMES q. DEANE
District Commissioner Rob-
ert E. Mclaughlin today called
for a major policy decision"
by Congress on Federal finan-
cial help in the running Of
Washington.
The Commissioner, in a
speech prepared for delivery
before a Lutheran group, de.
clared that Washington's finan-
cial problems are mounting and
that the city must either have
more Federal aid or be faced
with the prospect of cutting
public services.
He ruled out any tax in
crease.
Mr.. Mclaughlin declared
that local taxpayers are all
ready doing their share to meet
the city's growing needs.
Points to Policies
He pointed to Federal Gov.
eminent policies aimed at max
ing the city a model and as
serted:
THE Commissioners feel they
have no choice but to appeal
to the Federal Government to
provide the financial assistance
that is needed"
The city's Overriding prob
lem." he said, lis for q major
policy decision to be made by
the Congress as to just what
kind of a capital city the
United States is to have.
1--WE are urged on many oc-
casions to strive toward being
a model for the Nation and, in
deed. for the entire world" he
said. ITO achieve this model
status will require substantial
increases in Federal assistance"
He added:
1.-THE decision Congress makes
on this present financial prob
lem will determine whether
this city will be operated on
high standards, or whether,
such rigid curbs on operations
and construction will be neces-
sary that the city will soon be-
come a second-class national
capital"
Mr.. Mclaughlin declared
fatty that the District lacks the
money to provide the kinds of
educational. health, hospital.
welfare and other facilities that
should be provided in the Ma
tons capital.
"It is becoming clearer each
day." he declared, "that the
problems connected with oper-
ating the District Of Columbia
as the capital of the United
States have strained financial
resources beyond the point
where the District can continue
to bear as large a percentage
of the burden as in the past.
One of the city's special prob
lens, he noted, is that it is at
tracing many in low income
groups. partly because of city
Indignation policies.
Public Works Program
Being both a home for many
low-income persons and an
outstanding Capital City" is
impossible, he said. without
Federal help. He cited in par
ticular the need for a sub
stantial public works program.
Retail trade in the center
business district is losing
ground, which is adding to the
city's problems. he pointed out.
Mr.. Mclaughlin describes the
tax burden on Washington re-
sidents as thigh or higher"
than that in the Washington
suburbs.
Serious Problem
One of the city's most serious
problems, he said. is the lack
Of private industry, which, he
said, is a major prop Of essen
tial services such as hospitals
in other big cities. The Fed
eral Government, the Dis
trict's biggest industry. doesn't
pay the District what other
cities get from private industry,
he said.
Mr.. Mclaughlin also said the
city urgently needs to work
with suburban communities on
solving problems of area-wide
concern. He said the recently
organized Washington Metro
politan Regional Conference. Of
which he is chairman, can
play an important role in this
regard.
Mr.. McLaughlin's speech was
prepared for delivery at q
luncheon Of the Lutheran Lay
mems Fellowship at Luther
Place Memorial Church.