Evening star., 1936-09-06
Director, in 1888 Estimates,
Opposes Hazen Plan OF
Diverting Funds.
S3,953,280 EXPENSES
INCREASE OF $1,515,40O
Program Would Amount to $780,
600 More Than Expected Re-
ceipts, Despite Surplus.
BY DON S. WARREN.

missioner Melvin C. Hazen that gaSo-
line tax funds be diverted to pay other
District government costs, Capt. H. c.
Whitehurst, director of highways,
Yesterday urged that all available
funds from the tax be spent in the
next fiscal year for highway improve
ments, and nothing else.
Capt. Whitehurst had submitted
1888 estimates proposing expenditures
out of gasoline tax funds OF $685.
28O for highway. bridge and roadway
improvements, as against $2,437'0oO
for this year, an increase OF ST.
5l5 400.
Even on the basis of his own esh-
mates of gasoline revenues for the
next year, including surplus ex-
pected to be left over at the end OF
this year, it was calculated this pro-
gram would amount to more than
100000 more than present expected
gasoline tax receipts.
Lower Appropriations.
Capt. WhitehurSt showed, in an ex-
tended supplementary statement, that
appropriations proposed for the next
fiscal year were about $500,000 less
than this year, making due allowance
for Federal grants for highway work
here which prevailed last year and
this, but which are not to be con-
tinued next year.
Commissioner Hazen had sug-
rested that gasoline tax funds might
be used to pay the cost of the Police
Traffic Bureau and traffic lights oper-
eted under direction of the Depart
ment of Vehicles and Traffic. as well
as the cost of highway maintenance
and extension, including bridge
projects.
Meanwhile, arrangements were
being completed for public hearings on
the 1888 estimates prepared by Dis
trict government heads, to be started
at 10 am. Thursday in the board room
OF the District Building.
When the building closed yesterday,
only six citizens associations had re-
served time for appearance. Many
others are expected to make reserva-
tions at the last minute, however.
The first spokesman will be Will
liam A. Maio, representing the South
east Council of Citizens Associations.
The Washington Tax Payers Associa-
ton, represented by Rufus S. Lusk.
has reserved time from 10:15 to 10:45
am. The next Is minutes will be
taken by Paul E. Jameson. represent
ing the city Fire-hghters' Association.
Thomas Dent, representing the How
ard Park Citizens Association, Is to
appear at IL am.
Others to Appear.
The next day, appearances are
scheduled by Rev. c. Ward of the
Garfield Association, and by E. E.
Richardson, representing the City
wide Playground Council.
The Taxpayers Association will de-
mand heavy slashes in the proposed
1898 estimates, now amounting to
more than 58,000,000, exclusive Of
trust funds. Heavy cuts are expected
in most departments at the hands of
the Commissioners. but an item OF
great uncertainty is what may be the
Federal payment during the next fis-
cal year, subject now being studied
by commission named recently by
President Roosevelt.
In direct opposition to suggestions
made by Commissioner Hazen, Capt.
Whitehurst said, in his supplementary
justification statement:
I'VE have attempted to present facts
and figures to show 0) that the
department needs every cent of the
present revenue from the 2-cent gas
oline tax, 90 that the departments
appropriations must be increased to
the limit of the gas tax availability
and CD that further enlargement of
the activities from present funds will
be exceedingly detrimental to the fu-
ture Of the District highway system"
After detailing the needs Of the
Highway Department, for its bridge
and street divisions, maintenance and
repair, repaving and resurfacing, Capt.
Whitehurst said: "Other classes Of
necessary work, such as retaining
and salvaging, street railway track
area replacement, ETC., could be
dwelt upon at length to show the
needs Of the department, not only to
the full use of all funds from the q
cent gasoline tax, but considerably
beyond that amount"
Capt. Whitehurst estimated that
there would be cash balance in gaso-
line tax funds at the end of the pres
ont fcno1 Nf eET0
estimated return from the gasoline
tax of 2 cents a gallon of $3.50 900,
making a total cash availability of
S3,229,920 for the next fiscal year, or
about 100000 in excess of the regu-
lar 1887 appropriation.
However, he said, when consid-
cred in connection with 81 ,280, 900 re-
ceived annually for the last three
years from the Federal road allot-
ment, this will result in a reduction
of the total funds available to the de-
partment of approximately $500, ,000."
Extension Of Fund Use.
Capt. Whitehurst showed the pro-
gressive extension of the use of the
gasoline tax fund. Beginning with
1925, the special fund was first used
exclusively for new construction.
Gradually other classes Of work were
added. From 1925 to 1928 gasoline
money was used for new paving and
specific major grading items. In 1929
o major item for curb and gutter
work was added. From 1929 to 1888,
inclusive, the gasoline tax fund paid
for all new paving, curb and gutter
work, and a large portion of the re-
e,,rfa ring and rama wing