Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-17
Fund Increased
$3,796,7O2
Over 1880
BILL INCLUDES
GIFT FROM u. S.
$3,OOO,OOO More for
Center Also
Favored

The House appropriations coIn-
mittee today reported the largest
District appropriation bill ever
recommended, totaling $45, 284,S1
for the fiscal year beginning
July /.
The bill represents an increase
of $3,796,702 over the current ap-
preparations and reduction of
$217,711 from the estimates sub
mitted by the Budget Bureau. The
permanent annual and indefinite
appropriations total $2,482, 500,
making total of $47,766,817
which would be available under
the bill. Continuation of the
100000 lump-Sum contribution
by the United States Government
is provided.
The hearings, which were made
public with the report, show that
District officials were subjected to
severe criticism at the hands of
the subcommittee on appropri-
ations which conducted the Ses-
SionS and that scarcely any of
them escaped grilling.
Earliest possible construction Of the
new Municipal Center is provided for
in the bill, which carries a second
$3,000,000 for acquisition of the four
"a "a f11o eli lie 1f
Sylvania avenue between Third and
Sixth streets and working appropria-
ton OF $4,000 for special force of IA
craftsmen, experts on monumental
work, and $4,000 for a model Of the
proposed group.
Tax Rate Not Cut.
The bill provides that the tax rate
now in effect on real estate and tangf-
BILE property shall not be decreased for
the fiscal year 1881, but increases ap-
proximately 40 per cent water rates and
raises from 50 to So per linear foot the
assessment on water mains, effective
July 1. The new schedule viii raise
rates on the metered service from 1886
to $8.75 year and increase the fat rate
unmetered service from $7.03 to 1886
a year. A fat increase of 40 per cent
Is directed for business places not re-
4AhC0 ~ AA4cboAA AAANtCAS 0AtACA GAAobA4S
regulations.
.All salary step-ups for District en-
ployes under the WEIGH act we're re-
fused by the committee, although the
District Commissioners had asked $780,
900 for this purpose.
The public school budget of $13,651,-
$50 shows a net increase of $1,666, $50.
of which 81 ,248,7 700 is an increase for
school buildings
A new assistant corporation counsel,
at salary of $500. who will specialize
in public utilities matters, Is provided
for.
Provides Investigations.
The committe put into the appropria-
ton bill two new provisions for import
ant investigations, one to study the
power needs of the District with a view
to establishing municipality owned and
operated service" and the other to in
veStigate the title to lands and rights
at Great Falls.
For the former study an appropria-
ton of $4,000 is recommended. Chair
man Simmons said today that this is
to determine if a considerable saving
can be effected in the cost Of light, heat
and power for The new municipal CEN
ter, the school system, the courts and
other important units of the municipal
administration. A general plant to
supply service to the business houses
and residences of the District is not con-
templated. The District owns a plant
at Blue Plains with a considerable saw
ing and the subcommittee thought 1T
worth while to have study made to see
If an important savin~ might be ef-
Elected for the entire District govern
ant, which now pays about 100000
roa$ for such service.
SeAn appropriation Of $4,000 is made
for the corporation counsels Office ito
investigate the title of the Chesapeake
e. Ohio Canal Co. to certain lands, prop
critics and rights appurtenant thereto,
and the said company's authority to oc-
cupy and use said lands, properties and
rights, including the authority to bring
suits. in the name of the United States
o. the District of Columbia as nay
ne necessary for the purpose of de-
termining the same, employment OF
special assistant to the corporation
counsel, travelling, clerical and other
expenses necessary and incidental to
carrying out these provisions"
In an effort to cooperate with the
Civil Service Commission to raise the
mental standard of the Police Depart
ment, a proviso has been included in
the bill, prohibiting employment las a
private on the Metropolitan police OF
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