Evening star., 1933-10-15

District of Columbia revenues, s29 ,003,-
18491; Federal payment, S7.775,000.
"1934-Appropliation. s29,587, ,24l57;
District Of Columbia revenues. $26,sl7,-
305 90; Federal payment, $5,700,00
1T should be noted that the total
general fund appropriations for 1888
amounted to $39, 9,627,211 sc. The salary
impoundments required under the pro-
visions Of the economy acts, $2,243
460 06, reduced the total to that shown
in the above table. t37. .363, ISL so.
The appropriations for 1884 for
salaries were made on an IS per cent
basis, and no longevity increments were
allowed teachers, policemen and fire.
men, This represented reduction of
$4,000,000 in appropriations for that
year.
Revenues FAN.
Comparing the two fiscal years 1892
and 1884. We find, as to the revenues, q
falling OH between those two years Of
1882, ,491 90, of which amount $780,
600 appears in the Federal payment
(S9, soc, 900 in 1892 and $5.700,000 in
1880 and $3,792, ,491 09 in the general
revenues Of the District. This latter
amount Is accounted for nearly entire
ly by the reduction in the tax rate from
$1.70 to $3.50 and . reduction of $780,
000, 900 in the assessed valuation Of real
estate, both occurring in the fiscal year
1884,"
Maj. Donovan reported that: AT the
close Of the fiscal year 1888. the unpaid
taxes due the District of Columbia
amounted to 3S,32s,241.78. made up of
taxes on real estate, $5,267, SIS 0s; taxes
on tangible personal property, $2,931,-
1872; taxes on Intangible personal
property, $1,054,234.60: taxes on public
utilities, banks, etc, $63,012.41, and spe-
cial reimbursable taxes, $13,175.s7.
"Of the unpaid balance Of $5,267.-
o75.0S Of real estate taxes. $5.03s, ,00s II
inclusive. A large part of this balance
probably would have been paid had the
District been able to-sell the property
involved at tax sales. Tax sale pur-
chases until the past two years have
amounted to about $500, 900 . year.
But in the last two annual tax sales the
District has received about one third
OF that amount.
Much Of the unpaid tangible and IN
tangible personal taxes now standing
on the books Of the assessor, 1t Is
feared. are not collectable. Maj. Donovan
said.
"The assessed value Of real estate fol-
1894 Il $1,150, 0,820, SOC, or about $780,
000,00 under the assessed value of
1888. The estimated assessment of tan
gihle personal property for 1884 is $72,-
ooo. .ooo q and ds Of Intangible personal prop
aThe estimated revenue availability
for 1884 IS $32,5l7,305, and the total
estimated appropriation charges for
that year amount to $2s, ,5S7 ,241.57. This
leaves revenue surplus for 1884 of
$2.s3o. .06343, which becomes available
for appropriation purposes for 1885.
Savings Save Rate.
Savings Of approximately $4,000, 900
are made in 1894 appropriations through
the Is per cent reduction in salaries
and the denial Of longevity increase to
school teachers, policemen and firemen,
due to the operation of economy legls-
l&tion. Without these savings it would
not have been practicable td reduce
the tax rate in 1894. Moreover. such
savings account for q revenue surplus
of nearly %, ,000, 900 In 1884, and permit
the use of that amount Of money in
making up the District budget for 1885.
without that amount being available
for 1885. It would hardly be possible
to continue the $3.50 tax rate in that
year unless additional revenue should
be provided, either by increasing the
Federal contribution. or through en-
actments by Congress creating other
sources Of revenue. Some such action
- this would appear to be necessary
before the fiscal year 1886. II the Dis
trict II to be able to keep from tn
creasing taxes In that year and at the
same time build . budget providing for
reasonable operating and maintenance
needs and necessary improvements.
Every poasible effort Is being made by
the Commissioners,. through studies
and Investigations Of their Economy
Committee, to effect economies In NUM-
cipal operating costs, and much good
work has been accomplished in this
direction"