These estimates are submitted by the Commissioners to the Director of the Budget, a Federal official, and when approved are submitted by the President to Congress, together with the estimates of the Federal Government. Before submitting such estimates the Commissioners fix upon a tax rate which they believe should not be exceeded. This tax rate is such that, when applied to the taxable value of real, personal, and intangible property in the District of Columbia, it will raise the funds necessary to meet the estimates of the appropriations submitted to the Director of the Budget. The present rate of taxation for real and personal property is $1.75 per $100, based on full value. For intangible personal property, such as money in bank, stocks and bonds, etc., the rate is $5 per thousand.
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 1938, the assessed value of land in the District of Columbia was $480,473,718, and of improvements $713,025,368, a total of $1,193,499,086.
The assessed value of tangible personal property for the same year was $81,566,107. The value of intangible personal property was $575,472,070.
The budget estimate as submitted by the President to Congress each year is reviewed by subcommittees of the Appropriations Committees of the House and Senate, and the total amount of the Appropriation is fixed by Congress and approved by the President.
Under the provisions of the Constitution, all legislation affecting the District of Columbia must be passed by Congress. The advice of the Commissioners is usually sought before such legislation is enacted.
What has been stated is but a brief outline of the government of the District of Columbia. It can readily be seen that the District has a dual status as a municipal corporation and as a branch of the Federal Government. This situation has no parallel in any other city of the United States. The District is also unique in having no bonded debt. All of its expenses are borne from current revenues.
The residents of the District of Columbia do not enjoy the privilege and obligation of suffrage. On the question of whether the people should be allowed to vote in national elections and in local elections there is a division of opinion.
ARLINGTON CEMETERY, ARLINGTON MANSION, AND FORT MYER