Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-19
D. c. 1888 BUDGET
PLANS BEING LAID
ON EXISTING BASIS
Tax Rate of $1.70, With U. S.
Contributing &c. 500, 900,
to Govern Estimates.
FEDERAL POLICY SHIFT
LOOMS IN FISCAL 1894
Mapes Committee Report and Bill
to Change District Aid System
Due for Long Wrangle.

Preparing to fashion the District S
budget for the 1888 fiscal year, the
Commissioners, 1t was learned yester-
day. plan to predicate 1t on the existing
$I.70 tax rate and a Federal contribu-
ton OF $500, Goethe same set-up on
which the budget for the coming fiscal
year was based.
Known TO be opposed to an increased
levy rate, the Commissioners, 1t was
said, intend to keep 1t from climbing
any higher than $170. even at the sac
rifice Of some desirable but not vitality
necessary. public Improvements. For
that reason the budget total for 1888
will be kept within the amount OF reve-
nues raised through taxation and other
sources, plus the Federal contribution.
Figuratively speaking, the suit will be
cut to At the cloth available.
Estimates Of the heads OF the varl-
Gus departments of the municipal gov
ernment-the foundation Of all budgets
arc now in the process OF completion.
Next Saturday is the final day for their
submission to Maj. Daniel j. Donovan,
auditor and budget officer. AS soon as
OF funds requested, the Commissioners
will undertake the budget-making task.
1888 Revenue Unestimated.
The department heads usually ask
for more money than they ever ex-
pect to get. So this year the Com
nissioners will not be surprised to re
excess of $50 1000, 900, giving them the
Job Of trimming of 100000 or So
600, 900 to keep the budget down to q
predetermined total.
The revenues available for 1888 have
not yet been calculated by Auditor
Donovan. and because Of this the
Commissioners cannot determine the
size of the budget for that fiscal year.
Mai. Donovan, however, said he would
have that information about May i.
Back in 1929, when Auditor Donovan
prepared his five-year financial pro-
gram for the District, he estimated
that real estate taxes, water revenues
and other sources OF income would yield
SAC, 99S. 900 in 1898. At that time he
used $4,000, 900 as the Federal contri-
button, so II Congress continues the
policy adopted two years ago Of APP
propriating Se,500,000 for the District
out of Federal funds, $500, 900 would be
added to the total. bringing the revenue
availability up to SAT. 496. 900. But this
figure computed so far in advance, is
destined to undergo revision As a re-
suit of the unforeseen conditions, and
Donovan at this date will not even
hazard a guess as to the probable
amount that will be available to sup
port the 1888 budget.
Same u. S. Sum Expected.
Although a special committee of the
House, headed by Representative Carl
e. Mapes of Michigan, is still at work
on an investigation of the fiscal rela-
tons policy. its recommendations are
not expected to have any influence on
the 1888 budget. This removes the I'M
certainty that existed several months
ago as to the probable Federal contri-
button in 1888.
The Mapes Committee. according to
present plans. will submit its report to
Congress in December, and because 1t
likely will be OF a controversial nature,
the legislation recommended probably
will not be passed until long after the
1888 appropriation bills are out Of the
way. Thus, II there is to be any change
in the fiscal relations policy, it is not
expected to take effect until the 1884
budget Is framed.
There have been no intimations from
the Mapes Committee as to the plans
il has under consideration, but there
were indications during the public
hearings it held early this year that
some Of the members have in mind
recommending a policy ether than the
present lump sum contribution. More
over. several members rather strongly
expressed themselves in favor OF
changes in the present tax system to
increase the sources of revenue.