Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-14
.S1.7O D. c. TAX RATE
CONTINUING IN 1881.
URGED BY CITIZENS
Retention of Existing Levy Is
Recommended by Advisory
Council in Program.
INCREASE IN 100000
LUMP SUM is ADVOCATED
Five Year Plan Provides for Re-
placement of Four Bridges and
One New Span.

Continuance of the existing tax rate
of $1.70 through the 1881 fiscal year
and an increase in the present $4,000
900 lump-sum contribution of the Fed
eral Government Is recommended by
the Citizens Advisory Council in five
year public improvement program for
the District adopted last night at a
meeting in the District Building.
THE tax rate for the City of Wash
ington," the council said, compares IA
vorably with the average rate for IA
cities ranging in population from 3oo,-
900 to 100000.
Surplus Curb Urged.
"As this is the Nations Capital, and
as the people of the Nation desire to
see it become the most beautiful city in
the world, it is suggested that the Con-
eress be urged to increase the Federal
lump-sum contribution, in order that
some of the major projects that are
urgently needed may be undertaken AT
this time
The council also declared that the
surplus credited to the District In the
Federal Treasury "be held down to an
amount only SUFFICIENT to meet actual
needs as required by law" It was esti-
mated by DR.. George G. Havenner that
this would constitute 10 per cent Of the
appropriations.
The councils program listed num-
Der of projects not included in the
five-year financial schedule of Maj.
Daniel j. Donovan, District auditor and
budget officer But it did not estimate
the cost of these improvements or go
into the details of annual appropr1a =
lions on the theory that these are mat
tiers which should be dealt with from
year to year.
Outstanding among the improve
ments included in the councils pro-
gram are the proposed municipal air
port. which 1t is declared. should be
financed equally by the Federal and
District Governments because 1t will be
used to large extent by the Federal
Government; replacement OF Chain
Bridge with q modern span, with the
State Of Virginia paying one-half OF
the cost; construction of new bridge
across the Anacostia River at the end
of Massachusetts, avenue southeast;
replacement of the Benning Bridge over
the Anacostia River: replacement OF the
Twentieth Street Bridge over Piney
Branch, and replacement Of the P
Street, Bridge over Rock Greek.
The council also recommended the
construction of new building for the
Gallinger Municipal Hospital and the
OCNCIDpllAChU VA -bAAAo AAAoNAvN
ton into a general hospital for treating
emergency cases; the abolition OF grade
crossings at the rate OF one each
year, beginning in the 1881 fiscal year;
the construction of a new public con-
venience station annually for three
years, and an increase In the appro-
priations for interceptors and sanitary
sewers.
ArmOry Is Recommended.
The council declared that the District
National Guard should be provided with
an armory and If suitable building to
house It is not available an appropr1a-
ton should be provided for its construc-
ton.
Early acquisition Of the triangular
area north of Pennsylvania avenue be-
tween Third and Sixth streets as site
for the municipal center was among
the councils other recommendations.
Appropriations for this purpose, 1t de-
clared, should be provided in the 1880
and 1891 fiscal years and construction
work on the buildings should be started
as soon as a part of the land has been
acquired.
A subcommittee was appointed to
draft a resolution of recommendation
that Congress be asked to authorize
Sic .00O, 600 asa five-year school build
ing program. with the understanding
that $4,000, 600 a. year would be ex-
pended for the acquisition of the new
sites and the construction of buildings.