Evening star., 1931-12-27

son, Iowa. Democrats, Senators Elmer
Thomas Oklahoma. and James F.
Byrnes, South Carolina
In the closing weeks of the calendar
year 1881, the Budget Bureau trans
mitted to Congress a District budget
for the fiscal year beginning July l
next.
1t carries a total of s47.331,9l9. This
total is a decrease of 81 $40, ,7l0, under
actual appropriations, including sup
Elemental amounts during the current
fiscal year This decrease is in line
with the announced policy of local Of
ficials of holding down their estimates
to avoid the necessity for any increase
in taxation.
S9,500,000 Contribution Asked.
The budget is based on a Federal
contribution of S9,5O0000 toward sup
pert of the National Capital, while the
new legislation fathered by the Mapes
Committee and approved by the House
advocates a reduction in the Federal
contribution from S9500.000 to S6.500,-
600. Hearings on the appropriation bill
to be drafted on these budget recon-
mendationS will be started the latter
part of January, according to plans of
the House Appropriations Committee.
The short session closing the Seven
ty-first Congress last March 4 saw the
enactment of number of important
District measures. including the fol-
lowing: A new traffic act setting up
Department of Vehicles and Traffic,
placing responsibility for new regula-
tions in the Commissioners, requiring
a title for all automobiles and method
of co-ordinating action of the District
Commissioners and the Public Utilities
Commission on problems affecting both
boards.
A law authorizing reduced fare for
school children on street cars and
busSeS
A law giving the Commissioners
broader authority to regulate outdoor
signs in Washington with a view
toward improving the appearance of
the National Capital.
Assessment Law Changed.
A new street paving assessment law,
by which Congress is seeking to over
come features of the original Borland
act. which had been rendered almost
entirely imperative as result OF court
proceedings in which property owners
were successful in having the law de-
clared inapplicable to numerous classes
of property. The new law seeks to
lessen the obligations to the Borland
act by considering the shape, area and
value of lots instead of the front. foot
age only in making assessments.
In addition to these strictly local
measures, Congress early in 1881
enacted other measures OF interest to
the National Capital and its people.
One was the passage of the measure,
sought for many years, establishing
year for Government employees.
The2closing session Of the Seventy-first
Congress also had before 1t a recon-
mendaticn of the Budget Bureau that
Congress begin systematic program OF
promotions for hundreds OF Govern
ment employees whose salaries are below
the average of their respective grades.
The Senate advocated making start
on this program during the current fls-
cal year, but in the closing days OF the
short session in March yielded to the
House by postponing this program.
Boulevard Funds Provided.
Early in 1881, Congress granted ar
appropriation of S2,7O0,000, in the last
deficiency bill, to complete the Me-
mortal Boulevard along the Potomac
River from the new Arlington Me-
mortal Bridge to Mount Vernon, which
is to be the permanent memorial OF the
George Washington bicentennial cele-
bration.
In considering the District appropria-
ton bill for the current fiscal year the
Senate subcommittee on District ap-
| Continued on Ninth Page.)