Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-01

mittee's contacts with him forced the
conclusion that as an administrative
officer he is not the man to be in
charge of the city's legal staff. |
suggest this Office to the consideration
of the legislative committee. A new
directing hand to act also as general
counsel to the Public Utilities Com
mission with commensurate compensa-
ton should be provided for.
After discussing the difficulties In
purchasing desirable school play
ground and park sites under the
limitation of rs per cent in excess OF
assessed value, which the committee
placed in the bin last year and which
it has retained this year, Mr.. Funk
drew this conclusion. 1--WE must be
firm in our stand on this matter.
There should be no Waverlng. III
these SPECTATORS are made to realize
that we are determined to block their
avaricious schemese / believe we may
confidently look forward to triumph
ing in our aim.
"I also believe this, however, that
we should not discriminate in these
matters-if we are going to impose
the limitation on one piece or prop
erty we should impose it on all. /
think this should be a consideration
attached to every local land purchase
authorization we pass"
Hold Measure Is Good.
THE bill here presented" said Mr..
Funk. taking it as a whole, is good
measure in practically every direction
and one which / feel confident has
the support of a great majority or
the local citizens. The committee was
given to understand by the head OF
the Citizens Advisory Council, which
is a body made up of representatives
from each of a number Of sectionai
citizens associations. that the budget
estimates are practically in accord
with the estimates presented to the
Commissioners by the Citizens Ad-
yisory Council. In fact, the two sub
missions were but $4,000 apart. Tnis
would indicate, ] take it, that the
citizens of Washington have very
large voice in shaping their city's
fiscal program.
.The committee, Mr.. Chairman, has
not wandered far from the budget
proposals.
I'm the first place, we are propos-
ing a. continuance of the lump-sum
contribution plan inaugurated in the
1925 bill-$9 900 900. In addition to
that. we propose to continue to give
up our share OF certain miscellaneous
revenue derived from rents, fees OF
various kinds, special assessments,
sales, licenses, fines, and so forth, IN
which the Federal Government par
ticipated under the former 60-40 plan.
Our share in these under the former
ARRANGEMENT it is estimated would
1rff mt
get the idea, therefore, gentlemen,
| that we contribute but 100000.
Ten million would be nearer correct.
$50 Tax Believed Sufficient.
eve are told, and I do not question
the accuracy of the information, that
a $3.50 tax rate will suffice so far as
| this bill is concerned. including an
allowance for unforeseen demands to
! the extent of 100000. OF course,
| the new assessment will be operative.
effective from the first of next July,
| and on the basis OF the estimated
| new assessed value of real estate
| $3.50 will yield about as much rev.
enue as the current $1.80 rate will
produce on the present valuation.
'"The new valuation Is estimated to
aggregate 81 $50 600 900 and the pres
/ emit valuation totals 1851 ,000,000
don't mean to say that the rate next
year will be $3.50, because it may be
necessary to add to this bill in another
body or to make provisions in the
general deficiency bill in pursuance OF
several authorizations for which nc
estimates have been presented and
which entail some rather substantial
OUTLAWS.
1.-The biggest drain upon local re-
| sources is occasioned by the schools
OF the total sum proposed in this bill
approximately one-third is on account
of the public school system. The ex-
1 act amount is $11,999,046. This is
| larger by $1.093,675 than the sun
of the current appropriations for the
schools and $345,655 less than the
| submissions which the committee
| considered. The new teachers re-
tirement law is responsible for $3.50.
600 of the increase. An initial APP.
preparation becomes necessary on ac.
count of the equipment for the new
Mckinley High School, to be supple
mented later by requests totaline