Evening star., 1934-04-07
|C|TY HEADS SEEK
|WAY TO BORROW
|FUNDSFROM
Commission Is Concerned
| Over Outlook, Points to
| Urgent Needs. -:
INCREASE IN TAXES :
| BELIEVED IMPROBABLE
Agreement on Policy May Be
Reached Before Conference
| With Ickes.

Concerned over mapping District
needs which cannot be financed under
present revenue and budget condi-
tions, the District Commissioners to-
day were searching for ways and
means of providing funds for con-
struction of a number of the most
urgently needed developments in
preparation for their expected con-
ference in the near future with Sec
retary Ickes, public works admins
traitor
Commissioner Melvin C. Hazen in
dicated he was giving more or less
serious thought to the advisability of
accepting a grant. Of funds from the
P. w. A. on 30-70 division OF cost
or some plan whereby the Federal
Government might advance funds for
needed improvements without inter-
est, and to be paid back over a period
Of years.
Hazen Lists Needs.
Hazen said he was not definitely
committed to accept the proposition
but was concerned over urgently
needed improvements. He listed
among these a tuberculosis hospital
for adults, at least one unit of the
proposed municipal center, modern
sewage disposal plant, a number of
schools and libraries.
HaZen revealed the Commissioners
had had under tentative considera-
tion suggestions for an increase in
the gasoline tax or the adoption Of
small rate sales tax for the Dis
trict as alternative possible means Of
obtaining needed funds. 1t was
pointed out also the Commissioners
have held hopes that Congress would
grant an increase in the Federal
share of the cost Of maintaining the
National Capital over the S5,7O0,000
provided in the 1884 appropriation
act
Hazen said the entire matter Of
questions of finances for needed Dis
trict improvements. not provided for
in the 1885 budget now awaiting
action by Congress would be reviewed
by the Board of Commissioners at
a meeting next week. He said he
hoped some agreement on policy
might be reached before the Com
missioners receive the expected call
from Secretary Ickes for a confer
ence on pending requests by the Dis
trlct for P. w. A. grants.
Large Sums Needed.
Commissioner George E. Allen de-
clared he was not committed to any
policy of financing except that it was
apparent the District needs large
sums to build hospitals, schools, and
other municipal structures. Asked
what he thought about the PROPOSE
ton Of obtaining large loan from
the Federal Government on a long
term payment basis or obtaining
funds from P. w. A. with the Dis
trict to repay 70 per cent Of the
amounts granted, Allen said only
that he was not opposed to ''intelli-
gent borrowing"
He then added he was not vet
satisfied the District should 60 into
debt to obtain urgently needed i'm
provements, but would give serious
thought to this and other phases Of
the finance question.
AS to the question Of an increase
In the gasoline tax or adoption of a
sales tax. Allen said the Commission
ers realized any proposal in these
times to increase taxes was naturally
diStaSteful to taxpayers.
30 Million Asked.
The District has placed before Sec
retary Ickes during the past year
requests for funds for various types
of improvements, totaling more than
$30000,000. When the Commissioners
confer with Secretary Ickes they plan
to discuss the entire question of P.
w. A. grants. Neither Allen por
Hazen as yet has decided, they said,
whether they would ask for grants
totaling s5,Oo0,Oo0, s1O,OO0,0OO or
$20000,000
Both Commissioners, however, be-
lieve the first to be given serious COM
sideration are construction of a new
adult tuberculosis hospital, estimated
to cost S2,000,000; the first unit Of the
municipal center, 81, 100000; a sewage
disposal plant, 100000, and So
100000 or more for schools and
libraries.