Evening star., 1936-01-06

W CUpc Wlsh thc CfCA eiS"e
problem.
For some unexplained reason the
bureau trimmed the estimates OF the
Highway Department and the Water
Department so as to build up surplus
Of about 81 900 900 at the close OF
the new fiscal year-$500,000 in the
gasoline tax fund, and the same
amount in the Water Department
which supports both the water supply
and distribution systems on revenues
from the sale Of water.
The Commissioners predicated the
original 1897 estimates on continuance
of the existing $3.50 tax rate, and a
Federal payment of $8,3l7 500, flgur-
ing these two factors would give the
District a balanced budget and pro-
vide the most urgent of necessary i'm
provements. The Budget Bureau. how
ever. unbalanced this plan by looping
81. GIT 500 of the requested Federal
payment but approving the sl.50 tax
rate, which will force the District to
dig into its ever dwindling surplus
reserve TO meet the approved $43.-
100, 1000 program.
Rebuke d. C. Officials.
In addition. the Budget Bureau
turned on District officials with a
singing rebuke for failing to collect
a larger percentage of delinquent real
estate taxes. An explanatory synopsis
of the budget carries this statement:
Current collections from the tax
on real estate continue to lag behind
the current levy. At the close Of
the fiscal year 1894, for example. about
l6 per cent of the levy for that year
was delinquent, while at the close
of the fiscal year 1885 about II pei
cent of the levy for that year was
delinquent. For 1886 and 1897 de-
linquencies are estimated at 10 pei
cent. When other cities, comparable
| to the District of Columbia and en-
joying the same favorable economic
conditions. can collect from 81 to 81
| per cent of the current levy, the low
percentage of collections in the Dis
trict of Columbia seems difficult to
| justify"
Aside from the comparatively few
new school buildings and other prof.
ects, the Budget Bureau provided for
| continuance Of the present 25 pei
cent reduction in water charges, with
a metered allowance of 10000 cubic
feet. and made provision for full
time operation of the Children
tuberculosis Sanatorium at Glenr
Dale, Md, which was opened las,
September.
Added Policemen Denied.
Maj. Browns original request for
13l additional policemen came out Of
the Budget Bureau wringer with an
allowance for only four more officers
one inspector, one captain and two
sergeants. Funds were recommended
however, for several new pieces OF
equipment, including q modern van fol
transportation OF prisoners and an
armored car for use Of the Detective
Bureau in pursuing bandits and other
armed criminals.
The Fire Department received
slightly better treatment. It was al
lowed funds to purchase o new aerial
hook and ladder. and to add 10 men
10 its personnel-l5 privates, q captain
a lieutenant and a sergeant.
After several years of fighting, the
Commissioners finally succeeded in
getting Budget Bureau approval of ar
item of $4,000 to prepare plans fol
the long proposed replacement Of the
Pennsylvania Avenue Bridge across
the Anacostia River. The bureau also
allowed funds for reorganization of the
health department to provide for es-
tablishment of public nursing service
but at the same time cut the regular
appropriation Of $4,000 for child
hygiene service in half. Funds fol
hygiene and sanitation service in the
public schools, likewise suffered a re-
duction under the current appropria-
ton.
$2e,oeo for Street Improvement.
Another new item in the estimates
Is $4,000 for improvement OF Condui
road beyond the District line in Mary
landau expense District water user!
will be forced to bear because the re-
pairs are regarded as necessary to
protect the huge mains under the
road which bring Washington's water
supply from Great Falls to the
Dalecarlia Reservoir for publication
The new branch library provided
by the Budget Bureau win be located
ut Kansas and Iowa avenues. An ap-
preparation Of $4,000 was recon-
mended to start the building, with the
limit of cost fixed at Sl50,000, nclud-
ing improvement of the grounds, fur.
nishings and equipment.
The Board Of Public Welfare
which, next to the public schools
rdraws the largest share Of the annual
appropriations. suffered cuts along
with many other District agencies
Actually, the amount allowed the
board for operation Of institutions
under its supervision. is s358, ,470 less
than the figure submitted by the
Commissioners, but $685. more
than the current appropriation.
Outstanding items approved for the
Welfare Board include funds for IN
creases in personnel at the District
Jail, the workhouse at Occoquan, the
reforfnatory at Lorton, and Gallinger
Municipal Hospital. For the reforma-
tory the budget also contains ss0.o0o
for continuation of construction OF
the walled group" Of buildings. The
workhouse also is allowed $4,000 for
beginning construction Of a new build
ing to house woman prisoners to re-
place present structures which have
been condemned as "firetrapS"
Excluding the construction items