Evening star., 1926-09-22
bOND|SSUE URGED
FOR S1OO,0QD,0Ol
Chamber of Commerce Votes
Proposal to Alleviate
Tax Burden.

The Washington Chamber of Com
merce at a full meeting last night
unanimously voted for 100000. 900
bond issue for the District of Colum-
bia to alleviate a heavy tax burden
which was declared to face the citi-
zens of Washington.
In the presence of Commissioner
Dougherty the report of the cham
ber'S committee on District finance,
taxation and assessments. which was
read and approved, urged that the
payment for extraordinary improve
ments should be made over a period
of years instead of by immediate
taxation. The report urged that the
$100,000.000 in limited amounts
necessary from time to time for
projects approved for the betterment
of the city.
1t was also suggested that a sink
ing fund be set aside out of current
taxes over a period of so years to
meet the maturity of the bonds. The
bonds issued, the report suggested.
should be used for such improve
ments as parks, fire engine houses,
and all Improvements that will be of
benefit to future citizens of the city.
Opposes High Tax Rate.
The chamber, upon recommenda-
ton of the committee, also vigorously
opposed a high tax rate for Washing
ton and authorized the appointment
of a committee of three to appear
before the Commissioners to protest
any increase in taxes. A copy Of the
committees report was ordered for
warded to the Commissioners.
The bond issue recommendation was
adopted unanimously. One member
attempted to have the matter laid on
the table, but failed for want of
second. He did not oppose the ques-
tiOn on the vote.
Upon motion of Isaac Cans, the
chamber voted the sum of $500 to the
Red Cross Florida relief fund. MIR.
Cans introduced the motion that the
chamber participate in the relief ac-
tiVitieS to the extent of $500. This
was quickly raised to $500, which will
be taken out of the funds of the
organization.
Commissioner Dougherty addressed
the chamber following his tribute to
the late A. f. Seymour. former secre-
tary of the organization. He pre-
dicted d great growth Of the National
Capital in the next % years. Wash.
ingtOn is now a residential city and
its chief activity is Government busi-
ness, but industry is to play a more
important part here" said the Com
missioner. He predicted the estab-
lishment of large wholesale and retail
concerns and other businesses here
as we'll as a rapid increase and spread
of the population of Washington to
the Maryland and Virginia suburbs.
Review of Activities.
Mr.. Dougherty reviewed the activ-
tiles of the District in the past year,
stating that the new volume of traf-
fic called for increased street lighting
and traffic lights as we'll as the
widening and improvement of a num-
ber of streets.
He reviewed the expenditure of
$62, 100000 for private construction
here in the last year and the activities
of the various departments and urged
the Chamber of Commerce to study
the city's problems to make their
recommendations and cooperate with
the District authorities.
Maj. U. S. Grant, 3d., director of
public buildings and public parks of
the National Capital, gave an illus
trated talk on the plans for Wash
ingtop. He reviewed the L'Enfant
and Mcmillan plans for the city and
stressed that the National Capital
Park and Planning Commission was
as much interested in the economic
phase Of the city's development as in
the Identification of the District
He stated that the widening of
Connecticut avenue may some time in
the future call for the widening of
the street around Dupont Circle He
pointed out that the streets planned
in the downtown area had been ex-
tended to other sections of the city
without regard to grading. This. he
said, has resulted in added cost for
building homes because an enormous
amount of grading has been neces-
stated. The Planning Commission.
he said. would try to study this prob
lem in future developments of high
ways.
Maj Grant reviewed the various
park improvements. the driveways
along the Potomac the fort driveways
and The proposed Government build
ings in dealing with the plan of
Washington.
The chamber again went on record
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