Evening star., 1936-03-03

AS anticipated, the committee wrote
into the bill provision aimed directly
at physicians who work for the Dis
trict Health Department on a part
time basis. 1t reads: mo part OF
the funds appropriated in this act
shall be available for the payment of
the salary of any officer or employe
of the District OF Columbia whose
salary as such officer or employe is
$2400 or more per annum who Is en-
gagged in any outside business or pro-
fession in addition to his official du-
ties"
A hasty survey at the District Build
Ing this afternoon indicated this pro-
vision, if enacted, would force many
other employees and officials to give up
outside jobs. They would have but
two alternatives, either to work with
out drawing their pay or to quit the
District service.
Chairman Blanton of the Subcom-
mittee on Appropriations, which
framed the bill, recently criticized
the doctors who work for the District
on a part-time basis, and engage in
private practice. The attack followed
Blanton's clash with group of physi-
clans at a mass meeting in the Gen.
trail High School Auditorium, at which
the need for increased funds for
the Health Department was stressed
Drastic slashes were made by the
committee in the estimates for various
welfare and public health activities.
The recommended appropriation for
the Health Department was cut $23 300
under the budget estimates, and the
funds for public welfare were reduced
S24S,035 under the budget estimates.
Hospital Allowed For.
Funds are provided, however, for
operation of the tuberculosis Hospital
at Fourteenth and Upshur streets until
January /, 1887, but the committee
eliminated an item of $4,000 for con-
tinuation of character education in the
public schools.
The excuse given by the committee
for reducing the Federal obligation by
s3,000,000 was that despite the cut tax
payers would pay less in the District
than in other cities of comparable size.
In this connection, the committee
said:
with the existing low tax rate OF
only $150 per 500 upon a decreased
assessment value. With a gasoline tax
of only cents on the gallon. With an
ond Heoncn fQO nf
only 81 on each car and truck regard
less of make or value. With low
water charge of only $3.50 per year
per average family. With all libraries
and family wearing apparel, regard
less of value, exempt from taxes. With
each family allowed an exemption OF
$1,000 of household furniture. With
ali trees in front of residences furnish
ed, sprayed, pruned and replaced
without charge therefor. With no
income tax, no estate tax, no gift tax,
no inheritance tax, no sales tax, no
special school tax. With tax OF only
one-half of / per cent on intangibles.
With many millions of dollars OF in
tangibles in lock boxes not now
reached upon which no tax Is paid
until wills are filed after death dis
closing same. With no charge for
sewer service after once installed.
With no charge on abutting property
owners for repaving streets and side
walks in front Of their property and
many othe. advantages enjoyed by cit
izens of the District of Columbia, by
reason of Government institutions
being maintained In Washington,
which the citizens of the States do
not possess, the subcommittee having
this bill in charge was unanimous
in recommending the reduction of the
annual Federal contribution"
Taxes Here Held Lower.
"The Federal contribution for the
fiscal year 1885 amounted to $5, zoe, 900.
The sum recommended in the bill is
s2,7oo.000.
THE admitted evidence of the Dis
trict Commissioners before the COM
mittee has convinced it that the local
residents of the District of Columbia,
under the provisions of this bill, will
pay less taxes on their property, re-
spectively, than the people elsewhere
(see SUPPLY BILL, Page 50