Evening star., 1925-07-02
HIGHER TAX RATE
IN 1927 IS OPPOSED
BY TRADE BOARD
Letter to City Heads Urges
Budget Be Kept Within .
Present Figure.
RETURN TO $3.50 BASIS
SOUGHT AS EQUITABLE
List of Recommendation Filed
Stressing Only Such Projects
as Are Believed Vital.


recommendations for the improve
ment and development of the National
capital that will hold the tax rate OF
the District of Columbia to S170 in
I'-', the same amount as approved
Yesterday by the Commissioners for
l'-o-2o, were contained in a letter
dehvered today to the Commissioners
py the Washington Board Of Trade.
The letter forwarded after weeks
or study on the part of the officers
and committees of the organization
ana representing the views the 200
members of the organization, submits
TO the Commissioners the require
ments of the District, and those items
that should be included in the 1927
budget. 1t discusses the Federal con-
trlpution and questions some of the
items in the budget
While stating that the Board of
Trade feels that appropriations for
1927 should be limited TO call for not
more than S1.70 tax rate. the or
ganlZatlon urges the Commissioners to
use their influence to have Congress
contribute its share to the upkeep of
the National Capital on a fixed pro-
poruonate basis instead of the prevail
ing lump sum appropriation. In this
connection the board states that IT
feels that the act of 1873 creating a
oo-o0 basis was fair an equitable
treatment of the taxpayer"
Not only does the board urge econ
omy as protection of the District
taxpayer. but it questions the large
sums contained in the 1927 budget
for the Geological Park. ST. Eliza
beth's Hospital and public buildings
and grounds. These APPROXIMATIONS.
the board contends are for purely
Federal objects and asks that the
commissioners give careful thought
to the inclusion of these items in the
local budget and IAN effort be made
to relieve the District from these ex-
penses. The letter states that unless
Congress establish some fixed proper
tionate rate as found in the act of
1878 the Commissioners will be at
a loss in determining their budget.
Many Projects Urged.
The letter recites the various needs
of the District and the recommenda-
tions of the various committees, add
ing, however. that these matters can
not be accomplished at once. and
submits the boards view in regard
to what must be done Immediately
and a list of those items that will
not at this time, it feels, prove a
burden to the taxpayer.
Following a study by the municipal
finance committee under Joshua
Evans. jr., chairman, together with
the officers of the board and chair
men of the various committees. the
following recommendations We're made
for 1927: new chain bridge,
new recorder of deeds building. one
branch library. sufficient funds for
the natural growth and maintenance
of the public schools system, the IN
clusion in the estimates of the sum
already authorized by law for the
purchase of lands by the National
Capital Park Commission Cs1.100,000
annually, establishment of a menetal
hygiene clinic, sufficient appropria-
tions for sewerage and water in the
outlying sections of the city and re-
pair and maintenance of the exist
ing system, sufficient appropriations
for the committee named to study the
need of a high water pressure system,
sufficient appropriations for the main
tenance of streets and highways, and
initial appropriation for the improve
ment of the street lighting system,
the abolition of one railroad crossing
sufficient appropriation so that the
conduit will be finished by January
/. 1927: Endorsement of survey of the
Washington harbor and appropriation
of $3.50 900 for the operation and main
tenance of the Traffic Bureau.
List OF improvements.
In submitting the list of immediate
necessary improvements for the Dis
trct, the board also gave a statement
of it's stand in regard to improvements
ultimately needed in the District. to-
gether with their choice for inclusion
in the 1927 appropriations. This list
and comments follow:
"Bridges.-A new Grain Bridge, new
bridge over KlinGle Ford, new bridge
over Anacostia River at Pennsylvania
avenue.
while each of these deserves prompt
attention, we nevertheless believe that
in view of the limit of the ability of
the taxpayer of the District of Co
lumbia that the only one that should
be undertaken at the present time
should be the Chain Bridge. action
upon the others to remain in abeyance
until later date.
"Building.-New building for re
| corder of deeds office, public comfort
station and lodge for Rock Creek
| Park, new building for Juvenile Court,
/ new building for Municipal Court. ath.
letic stadium for the District of Co.
! lumbia. branch libraries in different
! sections of the city, new central police
| headquarters. five-year building pro-
| gram of the public schools, armory fo~
| District National Guard.
I'VE recommend and urge a new
! building for the recorder of deeds Of
/ five one branch library and sufficient
| funds for the natural growth and
maintenance of our public school sys-
! TEN.
Parks and Reservations.-Imm
date acquisition for park purposes
! OF the Klingle Ford Parkway. the
Piney Branch Parkway from the
Tiger Bridge northeastward, widening
the Piney Branch Parkway from Six
] teenth street westward. and acquisi-
| ton of the Patterson tract.
| That the undeveloped area already
purchased for a connecting roadway
| between Rock Creek Park and Pc
| tomac Park be made productive Of
the planned result by appropriation
| for it's immediate Improvement.
! %That the appropriation for plant
| ing and replacing and proper care
of the trees in the streets Of Wash
! ington be largely increased so that
j.! the number of standing trees may be
enlarged rather than diminished every
year in the future.
| Replacing dead and dying trees in
| the city parks.
I'VE urge the Commissioners of the
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