Evening star., 1935-03-29
BIGGER LUMP SUM |
ASKED BY CITIZENS
More Equitable Distribution
of City Costs Asked
as Hearings End.
Continued From First Page.)

CONTINUED From First Page)
Municipal Finance Committee of the
Trade Board were:
Francis G. Addison, William L.
Beale, Theodore ". Noyes, Mark I.ans-
burgh, q. j. Callahan, Robert v. Flem-
ing, w. w. Everett, E. j. Murphy, Sid
ney F. Taliaferro, A. C. Case, Mr.. Cot
trell and Mr.. Morris.
The petition of the Citizens Joint
Committee. signed by representatives
of virtually all organized groups in
the city, was filed in the Senate sew
eral days ago and referred to the Ap-
propriations Committee.
The petition reaffirmed the appeal
of the Citizens Committee for re-
turn to the unrepealed substantive
law of 1882, fixing the 60-40 ratio, or
for larger lump-sum payment as long
as Congress continues the practice Of
annual lump-Sum departure from the
fixed ratio. In the pending bill the
House held the Federal payment down
to the figure for the present year Of
IS, ZOO, 900 toward a total appropria-
ton bill of $39, 9,308, 900.
For several weeks the Senate COM
mittee has been hearing appeals from
neighborhood civic groups for restora-
ton of budget items the House cut
out, as well as for improvements that
were not allowed by the Budget Bu-
reau.
Although decisions will not be
reached until the subcommittee meets
withing the next few days to act on
the testimony, indications are it is
likely to restore most Of the budget
items the House turned down.
An appropriation to complete the
Roosevelt High School was urged by
Mrs. B. G. McIlwee of the Roose-
welt Parent-Teacher Association.
Taxation Suggestion Studied.
As the hearings ended this after
noon, there were indications the Sen
ate subcommittee is seriously consid-
ering the suggestion advanced year
ago by Senator Thomas, Democrat,
of Oklahoma, that Washington
should be placed on the low assess
ment-high rate method of taxation
followed in most other cities.
At today's hearing. several men,
bers. including Senators Thomas.
Copeland Of New York and Tydings
OF Maryland, brought up this question.
Senators have pointed out that Wash
ington's high basis of assessment
virtually 100 per cent of true value
coupled with a low rate, gives many
persons an erroneous impression that
the District is taxed lightly.
1t developed that Chairman
Thomas had asked the Commissioners
for data that could be used in con-
sidering a change in the relation OF
assessments to rates.
Committee in Accord.
Mr.. Colladay, who was presenting
the petition of the Citizens Joint
Committee on Fiscal Relations. said
the Joint committee was in accord
with a change along that line, but
pointed out that an amendment to
existing law would be necessary, since
the assessor has been required by Con-
gress to assess at full value.
Members of the Senate committee
are known to be seriously considering
repeal or modification of that law.
Mr.. Colladay presented figures to
show Washington is not undertaxed.
The subcommittee will meet Tues
day morning to begin rendering deci-
sions on changes in the House bill.
While Mai. Ernest W. Brown was
haforn fha ctthr0poroiftao Sarofor
Copeland stated that he regards him
as one Of the most efficient police
officers he has seen. Copeland also
questioned Brown as to the effect an
increase in the size of the force would
have in reducing automobile accidents
and in curbing crime generally.
The subcommittee obtained further
information from Maj. Brown on the
need for the l4l additional policemen
various civic bodies have asked for.
A request tnat funds be included ir
the bill for junior high school unit
near the Dennison School was made
by Mrs. Harvey w. Wiley Of the Fed
GRAFTON Of Womens Clubs and Mrs
Edward Chaplin Of the local branch oi
the American Association of Univer-
sity Women.
Representative Howard Smith oi
Virginia went before the Senate com.
mittee in opposition to the House
provision for restricting the attend
ance Of nonresident pupils at District
public schools without payment oi
tuition.
Harry S. Wender, Southwest Citi-
zens' Association, testified in support
Of the additional funds asked for by
Health Officer Ruhland, particularly
in enlarging health inspection work in
the schools.