Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-07
Citizens FIGHTING
TO KEEP TAX DOWN
Council Sets $40, 600, 900 as
Maximum Sum for the
1929 Budget.

Apparently awed at the size of the
record breaking budget for the fiscal
year 1928 recommended by depart
ment heads Of the District govern
ment, the Citizens Advisory Council
has tentatively fixed $40, 100000 as the
maximum sum for that period and
Immediately set out to trim the esti-
mates to that amount. A $40.000,0 900
budget, the council believes, win pre-
clude an increase in the tax rate above
the $3.50 on 500 assessed valuation
set by the Commissioners for the cur
rent fiscal year.
George w. Wales made a vigorous
effort to put the council on record
as favoring a, tentative maximum
budget Of $4,000, ,O0O-the amount
recommended last year for the present
fiscal year. Several other councilmen,
however. thought an increase should
be allowed in view of the ERA OF
prosperity confronting Washington
as q result of the Federal Govern
ment's contemplated $4,000 900 build
ing program.
Foresees $50 Rate.
The councils action followed an
explanation by District Auditor Daniel
j. Donovan of the reasons Tor the "
cent increase In the rate OF taxation
this year, together with e prophecy
that unless the recommended appro-
priations for the fiscal year enaing
iIune 90. 1928, are slashed Materiaily
4 $3.50 tax rate probably would be
inevitable.
ac,nly the fact that large appropria-
ttnns were made from the District
surplus found saved up from q wax
rate in 1926. said Auditor Donovan
ssTf looks TO me a. II. q. 81 tax rate in
1893 Il Nv no means a dream, WAL
win TIE school building program lag
Ping behind and new bridges ana Wa
ducts coming along. And all tneSe
things are needed.
Mr. Donovan advised the councal -
that the ever-mounttng TAX rate -
due partially to deficiency approprla,
tions. Build the budget ana as Nv
within ii: cut out the supplemental
annropriations and the tax rate Will De
kept down." he declared.
The heavy supplemental appropr1a-
tions to cover deficiencies Mr. Dono-
van pointed out, are responsible TOT
15 cents Of the newly increased TAX
rate.
IN an effort to trim the estimated
anpropriations to the approved tenta-
tive total of $40, ,O0O, 900, before the Com
ynissioners complete the preliminary
BUDGET for the Bureau Of the Budget,
The council win hold q series Of meet
ings This week. Sessions viii be held
this afternoon and evening.
determined fight to prevent
further increase in the District's tax
rate will be made by at least one
citizens association.
The executive committee OF the ~,
Mid.City Citizens Association viii
meet in special session next Week !. 70
Man 8 movement to fight any addi'
tionai boost in taxes, even II pro-
jecfed iJnproyements must be delayed
IN order to keep taxes down. A. y.
Driscoil. president OF the association,
announced today.
Urges Bond Issue.
/ Terming aconfiscatory" the rough
estimate or q tax rate OF $3.50 per
300 Of property computed by Audi
tor Donovan necessary to meet the
total proposed 1928 budget Of $4S,0 Is
900 submitted by the department
heads, Mr.. Drisc0n declared g Dond
issue to be the only solution II such
Improvements must Uc h1ouO.
1--WE need new schools, extension Of
sewers. water mains and highways,
no one denies that" Mr.. Driscoll said.
aBut what is the justice in forcing
the present residents Of Washington
to nav the total cost OF such improve
ments that win be used by the city
for from SO to 100 years. and
many others favor q bond issue such
As the late Commissioned Oyster adj
vocated.
Every association ana business or;
Ranization in washington should pro-
fest against tar rate anywhere
approaching $3.50. It would be con.
fiscatory. How could the large per.
centage OF poor people Of this city
pay Tor their homes if they were
taxed to such an extent. A more
economical program must be adopted
at all odds