Evening star., 1936-06-19
BY !. A. O'LEARY.

The District Government expects to
meet It's share of the $43 100000 ap-
propriation bill, now nearing final &C
tion in Congress without increased tax
ation, but the local community will
be providing about 88 per cent of the
total, with the Federal share fixed at
the compromise figure of $5,000,000.
Following q hurried analysis Of the
conference report, Maj. Daniel ]. Dom
ovan, District auditor, said he thought
the final draft of the measure would
leave the city with substantially bal
aneed budget. This is only possible,
however, because of an anticipated
revenue balance to be carried forward
into the new year on July l.
Here is how the two partners en-
gagged in operating the National Cap
ital-Uncle Sam and the District Of
Columbia-will contribute toward the
$43,5O0,0 900 total
The District of Columbia, an aggre-
gate sum of approximately $38, 800, 900,
made up as follows: Estimated revenue
collections and credits from real
estate, personal and other miscella-
neous taxes, $4,000 900; highway and
water department expenditures. met
entirely from local gas tax and water
rent collections, $4023,850; estimated
revenue balance to be carried forward
on July l, $3,800,000.
Federal Payment S5,000,000.
The Federal partner-a lump sum
payment of S5,00OOO0. Although these
Estimated receipts from both sides of
Che partnership indicate total of
$43, 100000, or slightly more than the
total of the bill, District officials
pointed out that deficiency and sup
Elemental appropriations nearly al
ways are necessary near the close OF
the fiscal year to meet unforeseen re-
cuirements, and are likely to become
necessary next January. These con-
4ingencies later in the year might un-
balance the city's budget, but the
present outlook is that no increase in
the tax rate will be required to meet
the 1887 fiscal year expenditures.
! During the long conference battle
Which ended in yesterdays compro-
mise, the Senate fought against a
drastic reduction in the Federal pay
Ynent on the ground that District res
idents are already fairly taxed and
Should not have more of the burden of
maintaining the Capital City trans
ferred to their shoulders. Although it
finally becamse necessary to agree to
reduce the present Federal payment
by 100000 in order to save the bill,
the Senators agreed to this cut only
with the understanding the President
would be authorized to have thor
ough new study of the problem made
with a view to recommending fair
and permanent solution at the next
session.
( Saves Most of Increases.
paved most of the increases it had
made in House figures for municipal
operating expenses, especially for pub
lie health, and the bill as whole con-
tains many Improvements. The text
bf the amendment authorizing the
compromise lump sum and the pres
idential study of fiscal relations reads
rs follows:
7 S5,000,000, Of which not to exceed
$4,000 shall be available for expendi-
ture under the direction of the Pres
ident for making an independent
study of the fiscal relations between
the United States and the District of
Columbia, and enabling him to report
TO Congress at the beginning of the
next regular session what, in his judg-
nnent, is fair and equitable amount
TO be paid by the United States as an
annual contribution toward the ex-
penses of the Government of the Dis
trict of Columbia. such sum shall be
available for personal services without
regard to the Civil Service laws and
the classification act of 1928, as
amended. and for such other expendi-
lures as may be necessary in connec-
lion with such study"
Among the major improvement
projects in the bill and which would
have been lost under a continuing
resolution, are. to begin new po-
lice court building in Judiciary Square,
fl,000,000; to rebuild Chain Bridge,
$250,000 toward an ultimate cost of
t350,000; to begin erection of the
Petworth Branch Library, $4,000 to-
ward total cost of $150,00O; and to
prepare plans for a new bridge across
the Anacostia at Pennsylvania avenue
southeast, $4,000.
Final Total Raised.
rs it passed the House in March the
bill totalled $42,573,283. BY retaining
most of their increases, the Senate
conferees raised the final total by
ebout 100000. The regular appro-
priationS for the current year
amounted to $40, ,923 900, but substan-
tial supplemental and deficiency items
recently have been appropriated which
will bring the actual expenditures for
fhis year nearer to the total of next
years bill.
:. One of the biggest concessions the
Senate had to make was the elimina-
lion Of $78,660 for continuing char
Acter education in the schools. The
Senate, on the other hand, knocked
put the House effort to prevent profess
fional men in the District service, such
es judges, lawyers, and doctors from