Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-06
Little Likelihood Is Seen of
Change in Levy for Four
or Five Years.
FINANCE PLAN is BASED
ON CURRENT RECEIPTS
Continuance of Lump Sum Con-
tribution of Government Also
Factor in Forecasts.

Aroused by reports that the unprece-
denied size of the Districts 1891 budget
would result in an increase in the tax
rate in the 1882 fiscal year, District
officials were quick to respond today
with a prediction that there is little
likelihood 0 change in the current
levy of $1.70 within the next four or
flve years.
The entire fiVe-year financial program
Of Maj. Daniel j. Donovan, auditor and
budget officer, which includes the 1881
fiscal year, it was pointed out, is predi-
Gated on continuance of the existing
$1.70 tax rate and the present annual
SO 100000 lump sum contribution of the
Federal Government. This program
contemplated the expenditure Of $780,
$4,000 over the five-year period, or
amount which Maj. Donovan believes
the District can provide on the esti-
mated revenue availability and the
judicious use of the surplus revenues to
the credit of the District in the United
States Treasury.
1891 Budget Largest.
Maj. Donovans program allocated
1852 900 to the 1881 fiscal year,
which is about 100000 more than the
amount approved by the Bureau of the
Budget. Moreover, the 1891 budget is
put down by the auditor as the largest
in any one of the five years, the totals
for the other years ranging from
minimum Of $44 ,662 900 to a maximum
of SAC, 607 900.
The 1891 budget. therefore, will draw
heavily on the surplus fund, and yet
Donovan estimates that at the close of
that fiscal year there will be between
100000 and $1,000,000 still available
to take care of appropriations which
may exceed the revenue availability in
three subsequent years covered by his
program.
The appropriation suggested for the
1892 fiscal year in Donovan's program
is $44, 662 900, but certain revisions are
likely in view of adjustments made by
the Budget Bureau in framing the 1891
budget. Donovan, for instance. had
included an item of 100000 in his
program for 1881 for beginning con-
structlon OF courts building, the first
unit for the municipal center to house
the Police, Juvenile and Municipal
Courts and the ONCE of the recorder
of deeds.
The Commissioners asked for the
100000, . but the Budget Bureau
eliminated the item, and it NAV be
added to an item Of $1,5OO,OOO which
Donovan put in the 1882 program for
continuing construCs ION on the building.
thus making 100000 available for
beginning work on the building. The
size Of the item will not be determined
however, until it is deflnitelv known
how much money could be spent in one
year on construction of the building,
Inc total cost of this building is es-
timated at 100000, and Donovan
originally planned to spread the finance
ing OF 1t over period of four years.
Several other less significant changes
were made by the Budget Bureau in the
1881 unit of Donovan's five-year pro-
gram, but, as whole, 1t was substan-
TALLY followed in molding the budget
which went to Congress this week. In
Iact, Donovan did not intend for his
program to be a definitely fixed outline
for unforeseen changes in Conditions
would preclude that, and in Submitting
1t to the Commissioners he suggested
the desirability of its revision from time
to time.
Costly Major Improvements.
The 1881 budget is the highest in
the fve-year period covered by the pro-
gram, Donovan explained, because of
the unusual number of costly major
improvements it provides.
among these he cited the $3,065, 900
item for the municipal center, a 1885,
600 item for elimination of the danger
GUS Chestnut street and Michigan ave-
nue. grade crossings, an item of $3.50 900
to begin the replacement of the narrow
Connecticut Avenue Bridge over Klingle
valley and 100000 for establishment of
the farmers market.
The outstanding improvements con-
templated for the 1882 fiscal year, how
ever, will fall short of the cost of those
provided In the 1881 budget, 1t was said,
thus keeping the 1882 budget under the
SAG, 900, 900, an amount which Donovan
declares the District can provide with
out raising the existing tax rate.