Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-05-09
100000 INCREASE
I'm D. c. LUMP sum
|EXPECTED|NS SENATE
Amendment by Committee
Would Enlarge Federal
Share in Expenses.
PASSAGE WILL SEND
MEASURE TO C0NFEREES
Action in Line With Effort to Get
the House to Agree to
Increase.

The District appropriation bill for the
next fiscal year is expected to pass the
Senate this afternoon, carrying the
amendment agreed to late yesterday in
creasing the Federal share in the ex-
penses of the Capital from 100000 to
$4,000, 900.
The action of the appropriations COM
mittee In recommending that $3,000,-
900 be added to the lump sum was ap-
proved by the Senate, acting in COM
mittee of the whole. shortly after the
local supply measure was called up by
Senator Bingham. Republican, of Con-
necticut, chairman of the District sub
committee. There was no debate. AS
soon as the clerk read the change it was
agreed to without objection.
Final passage of the bill in this form
will mean that the question of an equi-
table division between the Federal and
District governments of the cost of
maintaining the National Capital once
more will rest in the hands of confereeS
for the two branches of Congress.
Howell Asks New Rates.
Before the District bill is disposed of
this afternoon. Senator Howell, Repub-
Gcan of Nebraska will try to have re-
stored in part the increased water rates
adopted by the House, but stricken out
by the Senate committee, and at the
same time he will renew his argument
for fire hydrant tax on property owned
generally.
The amendment which Senator How
ell will advocate will provide for a new
schedule of water rent, higher than at
present but less than the House rate.
The fire hydrant tax, which the Sena-
tor advocated when the bill was in COM
mittee would be at the rate of SAG per
hydrant, making total of $234,600.
This amount would be figured In as a
part of the property tax, and after its
collection it would be deposited to the
credit of the water department.
Senator Howell proceeds on the theory
that the Water Department performs
two separate functions, one of supplying
water directly to consumers, and the
other OF supplying water for fire protec-
ton. He believes the additional revenue
needed by the Water Department should
be met partly by some increase in the
water rent and partly by this general
tax on property owners for fire protec-
ton. When he advocated this plan in
committee, members of the committee
called attention to many Objectionable
features, and did not incorporate 1t in
the bill as reported.
Senate Seeks House Increase.
The Senate's action yesterday in ap-
proving larger contribution by the
United States was in line with the
stand it has taken in preceding years
- he a.
to some increase in the rigid 100000
lump sum which the other branch of
Congress has written into the bill an
nually since the fiscal year 1925, when
a departure was taken from the SUBJ
Stantive law establishing the 60-40
ratio in fiscal relations.
When the 100000 lump sum was
inaugurated five years ago the Invisible
appropriations, excluding gas tax, water
rents and other special funds, amounted
to $31 1873 900, according to the testi-
mony Of Auditor D. j. Donovan before
the Senate committee. Gradually the
total of the bill has mounted each year,
with the Federal contribution remain
ing at 100000.
AS the current bill came from the
House it carried approximately $4,000
600, exclusive of gas tax, water rents
and trust funds. The Senate commit
Tee, IN Oruer 10 Dr1Qge This constantly
widening gap between the 100000
and the total of the bill, raised the
lump sum to $12,000,000 and pared
81 ,442, 900 from the House total.
Total Cut to $4s,910,s55.
AS it passed the House the total of
the bill for all purposes was $45, 333,-
lit. AS it came before the Senate
late yesterday the total had been ad-
justed to $43,910,855. This total may
be changed slightly by amendments on
the floor prior to final Senate action
this afternoon.
In the brief period devoted to the
bill before adjournment yesterday eve
ming the Senate also approved the
committees action in reducing from
SO ,00o,000 to $1,O00,000 the allotment
for continuing purchase of land in the
Center area.
Before recessing yesterday the Sen
ate went through about one-third of
the bill for the approval of committee |
amendments, without debate, pausinQ
at the item of 100000 for the carving
on of war against mosquito breed |
ing places in the District.
AT the request of Senator Tydings,
Continued on Page 2, Column s.