Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-30
The District Bill.

was finally enacted IN the Closing nOuIS
of Congress last July, its approval in the
House was accompanied by the passage
Of q resolution appointing select COM
n1ittee to inquire into the subject OF
fiscal relations generally. The select
committee was appointed because the
two houses of Congress were in direct
disagreement over the amount OF the
Federal appropriation. Its duty was to
find out, for the enlightenment of the
House, at any rate, what this contribu-
lion should in equity be.
In reporting the District bill for 1882
to the House today the subcommittee
on District appropriations takes the view
that the amount of the Federal contri-
button, $9,500,00 should not be dis
turbed pending the report of the select
committee" This select committee has
received an overwhelming mass of EVIL
dence to support the Districts con-
tention that the Federal contribution is
inadequate, and that its own tax burden
Is adequate. But, candidly stating that
such evidence was embarrassing" the
committee obtained funds for the hire of
an expert of its own choosing, who is
now working on comparative tax bur-
dens. The committee is marking time
awaiting the experts findings. The
committee and the expert have twenty
eight working days before the adjourn
ment of Congress in which to complete
their work and when Congress dies the
committee dies.
Thus the investigation as far as the
District bill reported to the House today
is concerned becomes a mere gesture.
The present bill has b>Sn constructed
on the framework Of tic nay sum of
nine and half millions Plus tile Dis
trict's revenues. The lump sum bears
no more relation to the Federal Govern
ment's real responsibilities, morally or
lawfully, than it ever did. The District
again must depend on favorable Senate
action to correct the continued in
equities.
The bill reported today contemplates
the expenditure of practically all the
District surplus accumulated during the
years when the Budget Bureau held the
estimates below the revenue avail
ability. It is notable for the fact
that it will virtually reduce next years
estimates to current revenue. Current
revenues cannot supply the needs Of the
District unless the Federal appropria-
ton is materially increased, or unless
the local tax burden, already high, is
increased. The Federal appropriation
should be increased In this appropria-
ton bill to afford the Commissioners
the proper revenue availability for the
year following, 1888, estimates for which
must be made next Spring.
This years bill provides a gratifying
amount for school construction. Taken
IN connection with last years bill
the new construction provided in both
measures is designed to eliminate So
portable schools, lie part-time classes
and 173 oversize classes ION the basis
Of present enrolment" The difficulty
there is that the school officials will not
have present enrolment" to contend
with, but a constantly increasing en-
xoIIment. The two bills, 1t is stated,
with other constructions, are to provide
facilities that when completed will re-
move 1.-THE overcrowded conditions in the
washington schools That is a fine
objective, and 1t is sincerely to De hoped
that it will be reached.
The bill increases the estimated cost
cf the new Courts Building in the Mu-
uicipal Center development from five
TO six million dollars and authorizes the
Commissioners to enter into contracts
for its erection next Summer In this
connection the committee specifically
states that 1T is contemplated the
Municipal Center Building will be con-
btructed comparable as to material,
architecture and utility with the build
ings now under construction in the Mall
area" thus definitely establishing the
scale for a project that will eventually
cost more than $22 100000. But beyond
the receipts to the District from trans
Ger to the Federal Government of the
present Municipal Building, now as
sessed at s3,47l,000, no other Federal
contribution to the Municipal Center
project Is provided for outside the lump
sum.
The bill provides project engineer
for service in the municipal archi-
tect's Office, who may be able to
expedite some Of the work in letting
contracts on public buildings. 1t has
added a valuation engineer and valu-
alton accountant to the Public Utilities
Commission staff and provided $4,000
Gor other expert work. 1t has author
hEed plans for q new Benning Bridge
across the Anacostia River and & haS
Crowded for a Georgetown branch
library site where the old Georgetown
Reservoir at Wisconsin avenue and F
street now stands. These are among
the good features of the bill.
The committee has disallowed salar,
increases for District personnel, with thu
exceptions Of those for the schools, police
and firemen, thus continuing the polio.
followed this year by the Appropria'
tons Committee Of the House Of repudi
ating these just increases And by legis
lative rider it now intends to center thu
powerful and majestic force Of tn
Congress Of the United States on get
ting rid of the one lone little kinder
garten for children Of pre-school ag,
maintained by the Board Of Education
In difference to the wishes Of the com
tnunity, IN connection with Americapi
patton woE< at the Webster School.H
Il Is Encouraging 10 note. however