Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-12-31
Driscoll Opposes Bonds.

poSal, A. J. DriScoll, president of the
Mid City Association, gave an outline
of the revenues and expenses of the
current fiscal year, pointing out that
the Federal Government had contrib
uted but 50 900 900 to the total, while
the remainder of the more than $685.
000,0 900 was raised by the taxpayers
and residents of Washington.
Mr. Driscoll submitted a detailed
statement showing that a bond issue
of 10000 900 would cost the city an
nually about $3.50, 900 for interest and
$500, 900 for retirement of the princi
pal, causing an additional tax burden
of about 10 cents
DR.. George G. Havenner, member OF
the Citizens Advisory Council and
president of the Anacostia Citizens
Association. supported Mr.. Driscoll s
arguments and declared that Wash
ington already has a total of 1000
acres of park land, exclusive of such
Federal reservations as the Capitol
grounds, National Geological Park
Botanic Gardens, the grounds of the
Department of. Agriculture and other
park sites now under contract but not
yet actually purchased.
Pointing out that the constant in
crease in the amount Of land reserved
for park and playground uses is with
drawing just so much taXaDle land
DIR. Havenner declared that Washing
ton is suffering from the "parkitis'
fever. whereas the city actually lis
well supplied with parks" with the
possible exception of a section OF the
Northeast part of the city
City Now Debt Free.
washington is the only city OF
comparable size" he declared, that
is free of public debt, and 1t ought TO
be our desire to keep 1t so. A bono
issue is a poor business propositions
taxes would mount year by year, ana
II would be a calamity to leave as an
inheritance to our children the burden
of such a debt"
Mr.. Torbert responded by declaring
that the ever-mounting value OF real
estate in the District made 1t essential
that the city planners look forward to
ace the park needs of 10 or 20 years
in the future. Now is the time to
buv these lands" he declared. Ii
not, Washington may have TO con
denim improved property at cosby Hs-
ures. such as New York is having to
do in order to get needed areas.
The Dupont Circle Citizens Associ-
ation repreSented by an impressive
arrav of speakers, demanded to know
lust what great economic change had
come about in Washington TO make
necessary a change from the casn
basis plan of the present to one OF
bonded indebtedness.
Approving the position OF MIR. DTS
coll, DIR. Havenner and other oppo-
nents of the proposal, Admiral strauss
asserted the District already is we'll
provided with park areas generally
and that in sections SUCH as the north
GA 81. where parks are lacking or made
ouate. transportation facilities are
a vailable to other sections of the DIS
trict where great park areas are to
be found.
Schools Are Discussed.
Mrs. William Il. Zimmerman of the
Congress of Parent Teacher Associa-
tions charged to the administration
system Of the District the delay in pro-
yiding more adequate school facilities
rather than a lack of funds, pointing
ont that in some instances there have
been DELAYS of Ii to Is months from the
time Congress has made appropria-
tons for schools and other projects
before construction actually was
started. A bond issue would not re-
Iieve this situation, she explained, but
rather would further congest the work
in the Office of the municipal architect,
who cannot, with his present force.
keep up with building projects APP
proved by Congress.
Citing Voluminous statements by tax
and revenue authorities, Mrs. Banner
man declared: I'VE are not contending
that we should spend less money for
schools, but we should get from 80 to
so per cent increase in the return on
the taxpayers money"
Mrs. Bannerman declared the policy
of building many comparatively small
school buildings instead of larger and
fewer ones, for example, was a vast
ed expense, because of the high cost
of administration and maintenance.
Advocating q 'pay-as-you-go" pol
icy, Mrs. Bannernan declared thai
Washington now is spending $40 per