Evening star., 1934-09-19
|6O-40 D. c. BUDGET
| URGEDAT HEARING
Magathan Asks Return to
Fixed Ratio Before New
Tax Boosts.
Continued From First Page.)

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to me when you come in to make
a serious indictment. you ought to
have facts to support it."
Suter replied he had not had time
to make a personal investigation. but
it was his impression that much
money was being wasted on relief.
He suggested a serious re-examina-
ton of all relief cases.
Allen said rechecks are being made
and that all the complaints he had
received were general in character
support them.
When Suter again said he had been
too busy to gather facts, Commits
sioner Hazen asked him if his time
had been occupied on the Takoma
referendum. Suter replied: That
and other work"
Rufus s. Lusk, secretary to the
Washington Taxpayers Protective As
sociation. then whispered to Suter,
and the latter told Allen that sc, 900
names were being stricken OF the relief
lists as ineligibles.
Il heard about that" said Allen.
I'VE have had but 10000 relief cases
on the list, and If 10000 are stricken
eff, I should say that is fine piece of
work"
Explains Statement.
Suter hesitated, then explained that
his information came from Lusk, who
was sitting next to him. Lusk ex-
planned that the statement had been
carried in morning newspaper story.
Yes, read it," Allen said.
Previously, Commissioner Allen had
reported but one case of "chiseling"
had been disclosed in the recheck OF
relief lists now under way.
Everybody who wants to complain
tells me there is racketeering in our
relief" Allen said. But no one can
produce specific facts OF wrong. We
will be glad to correct mistakes when
We get the facts"
Assignment of additional attorneys
and a clerical staff to his office was
urged by William A. Roberts, people S
counsel. This was a revival Of the
question of how the Commits scners
should use the $1,000 salary fund
available for a special assistant to
the corporation counsel. a position
vacant since Roberts was appointed
peoples counsel.
POlicy on Counsel.
The suggestion involves the pro-
posal that the peoples counsel be
designated to act as counsel to the
Public Utilities Commission. The Dis
trict corporation counsel is by law
ex oficio counsel to the commissicl,
but in practice he cannot devote suffl-
cient time to be its active counsel
The Commissioners at a recent ses-
sion disapproved this plan and de-
cided a special counsel should be
named for this purpose. using the
$1,000 item for special assistant cor
poration counsels.
H. c. Phillips Of the Community
Forum supported a $4,000 item in
ter Department and explained that
this sum would make possible estab-
lishment of a number of additional
boys clubs in school buildings.
livery Brown of the Hillsdale Citi-
zens' Association urged appropriations
for a swimming pool in that section
and erection of q fence around the
Birney School.
Yaden Outlines Plan.
Appropriations should be held down
to safety point" before any thought
Is given to an increase in taxes,
James G. Yaden. president Of the
Federation Of Citizens Associations,
told the Commissioners during the
afternoon session yesterday.
Yaden objected to the proposed rs
per cent increase in water rates, un-
less it is absolutely necessary, but Wig
orously supported a $4,000 item Tor
the Community Center Department
Il am not here pleading for any
material increase in the budget or
the taxes" he declared. I'VE ought
to hold down appropriations, but there
is point below which We cannot
afford to 60. When we reach that
rock-bottom safety point we should
increase present taxes or impose new
taxes.
If you ask me what taxes, would
say. first, an inheritance tax. Sec
ond. a small sales tax, excluding food
clothing, medicine and medical atten-
ton. Third, an increase of / cent
in the gasoline tax"
Yaden was asked II he would use
the gas tax revenues for general pur-
poses, and replied: mo, not until all
our street needs are cared for"
Fears Income Tax.
Yaden also declared he was afraid
Of an income tax because 1t might
be too high, and described a proposed
weight tax on motor vehicles as "a
very valuable source of revenue"
Maj. Donovan explained those taxes
would require special legislation and
that the Commissioners have to build
their estimates on taxes and the pro-
spective income under the present law.
What would you say to increas-
ing the Federal contribution and a
small increase in the tax rate?" Dono-
van inquired.
That would meet with my full ap-
proval." he replied.
Supports Community Center.
Henry I. Quinn, a member of the
Board of Education, also supported the
SIS, 200 item for the Community Gen.
ter Department, and declared its &C.
tivities were just as important as the
character training course to be intro
duced in the public schools at an ini-
tial cost of S60,000
Consolidation of the Playground De-
partment and the public schools also
was advocated by Quinn, who pointed
out that the School Board already is
responsible for a number of play
grounds on school property. He said
he thought more could be accomplished
under one head.
Quinn 0,,fli4aI kr,a