Evening star., 1934-10-11
D, c. HEADS URGE
AID IN FINANCES
American University Park
Citizens Told of Difficult
ties of Program.

Describing the Districts financial
Board of Commissioners has faced in
many years. Commissioner Melvin C..
Hazen and District Auditor Daniel j.
Donovan last night made urgent pleas
that all residents give their full sup
port to the Commissioners when they
go before Congress to urge increases
in Federal appropriations for the
District.
Speaking before members of the
American University Park Citizens
Association, the two officials contended
that a res sonable, just and equitable
appropriation by Congress is not
Federal contribution" but a Federal
obligation to the District.
Against Tax Increase.
At the same time, Hazen declared,
your Commissioners feel very strong
ly against any increase at this time in
the present tax rate
If the Federal Government would
pay taxes on its $550,000, 900 worth Of
property in the District, some $8,000,-
900, or approximately Is per cent of
the total estimates for the 1886 budget
would accrue to the District govern
ment," he said.
The Commissioner further declared
District officials should be given con-
troll over such departments as public
parks and the National Geological
Park. which although maintained by
District taxpayers, are owned and con-
trolled by the Federal Government.
He said we should control and govern
whatever We pay for.
The Commissioner pointed out the
reduction of the tax rate several years
ago from S170 to $50 cuts the Dis
trict revenue by approximately $4,ooo,-
900 annually. This reduction, added
to a decrease of close to the same
amount in Federal appropriations. has
made this years task particularly
difficult, he said, and added: 1T Is
very possible the District will be in
the red at the end of the 1886 fiscal
year. unless more liberal congressional
appropriations are forthcoming this
year"
Liberal Appropriations Needed.
1--WE need far more liberal appro-
priations from the Federal Govern
ment than in the past if such projects
as a municipal center, municipal
airport. a beautified water front or a
monumental bridge (above Chain
Bridge are ever to come into ex-
iStence"
In his address Maj. Donovan vigor-
ously attacked the law which gives
the Federal Budget Bureau the power
to pass on the District budget before
it is presented to Congress. He advo-
Gated complete separation of the Dis
trict Budget Bureau from the juris-
diction of the Federal bureau.
Following the speeches and an en-
tertainment presented by group from
the Musical Guild of the Department
of Agriculture the annual elections
were held.
William T. Belts was elected presi-
dent, succeeding ]. S. Sanford, who
presided over last nights meeting.
All the other officers were reelected.
They are: Mrs. Blaine McCallum, vice
president: Mrs. Anna Belts Smith,
secretary: Mrs. Ora G. Visel, treas
urer, and Thomas E. Lodge and Henry
A. Donovan, delegates to the Fedora
ton of Citizens Associations.
The winners we're announced in the
associations contest for best kept
homes and gardens" which was con-
Quoted during the Summer under the
direction of President William T. Belts
of the Garden Club, and presentation
of prizes was made by Thomas Lodge