Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-24
S1.7OD. c. TAX RATE
EXPECTED TO STAY.
Experts Hold improvements
Planned Should Not
Increase Levy.

Major public improvements con-
templated Immediately can be provided
without the likelihood of an increase in
the existing tax rate of $l.70 on each
500 of assessed valuation on real estate
and personal tangible property, 1t was
calculated today by financial experts of
the District government.
These major projects are listed as the
new municipal center and its initial
building to house the office of the
recorder of deeds and the several
courts, the public library extension
program, the municipal airport and the
S16,OOO,OO0 park and playground acqui-
sition program projected in the Cram
ton bill. All of the projects, it was
said. would be spread over a period
ranging from three to five years. ana
would not require more than $2.60ooOo
annually, which could be absorbed In
the regular appropriation act. now pro.
ducing a surplus because OF the refusal
of the Budget Bureau to approve eSu-
mates corresponding to the revenues
that the S1.7O tax rate yields, plus the
FSUpIdl ASAAF 1~~--
contribution Of 100000.
1880 Bill Would Set Surplus.
The $l.7O levy, it has been pointed
out by Daniel j. Donovan, District
auditor and budget officer, will produce,
when coupled with the Federal con-
tribution. a total Of $42 1000. Regu-
lar appropriations for the District nave
never exceeded $40 600, 900. and the ap-
preparation bill for 1880 reported to the
House Monday carries S3B,2l3l 50.
which would set up large surplus IN
that year, as the bill provides for con-
tinuance of the $l.70 rate.
The first two squares of the site Tor
the municipal center, costing $4,000 600,
will be acquired under present plans.
out of the existing surplus, which Will
total nearly 100000 at the close OF
the current fiscal year. leaving the
building for the courts and the recorder
of deeds, estimated to cost about
$4,000 to be provided later. AS
it Is planned to erect this building in
three years. an appropriation OF $1.70O,-
900 annually would take care OF the
construction costs.
The airport, a three-year project, es-
timated to cost $1,750,000, would add
about 100000 annually to the budget,
while the five-year Library extension
program, costing 81 $4,000, would re-
quire an annual outlay OF $4,000.
Cramton Park Plan Loan Cited.
The Cramton Park development plan,
which provides for the loan OF $l6,-
100000 from the Federal Treasury
without interest, as we'll as the Simmons
bill to provide $4,000, 900 in a lump
sum for extension of public school
facilities, will not have a material
effect on the tax rate, it was pointed
out, as they contemplate annual ex-
penditureS corresponding to the present
funds allotted annually for parks and
public schools
The Cramton bill would withdraw
certain property from taxation. but
aside from that, 1t was said, the Dis
trict would not be required to add to
its present budget to provide addi-
tional revenue to carry the program Of
park land acquisition. 1t was explained
that the 1880 appropriation bill carries
81 ,000, 900 for park development, and
proposes to anticipate the continuation
of that amount for Is years. making
$16,000.000 available now to be repaid
to the Treasury In annual installments
of 100000.
Graduated Schedule Listed.
The regular appropriations now carry
an average of approximately $4,000, 900
o year for public school buildings and
sites, it was explained, and although
the Simmons bill authorizes a $10,000,-
900 lump sum for such purposes as the
needs arise, District officials do not be-
lieve the annual average expenditure
would exceed $2,500,000.
Thus, the District, 1t was pointed out,
could provide for these so-called major
improvements, by adding the following
items to the budget, at the same time
keeping 1t within the $42.500.000 limit
For the first building in the municipal
center, 81 ,700,000 year for three years;
for the airport, 100000 a year for three
years. and the Public Library, $340, 900
a year for five, years. making a total of
$2,64O,O 900 a year for the first three
years, and dropping to $4,000 for the
fourth and fifth years.