Evening star., 1937-04-04

House Appropriations OuOCOlH-
mittee, in reporting the 1888
District appropriation bill, followed
earnest pleas to that effect made by
representatives of the Districts Or
ganized citizenry, published hearings
on the bill reveal.
L. A. Carruthers, chairman of the
Fiscal Relations Committee of the
Federation of Citizens Associations,
told Chairman Ross A. Collins of the
Appropriations Subcommittee during
the hearings that one vital factor
overlooked by the Jacobs group is the
vast amount of real property owned
by the Federal Government here
which has been withdrawn from the
Districts tax roll.
"Of the $685. 100000 of real prop
erty S285, 100000 worth of it is used
for Government purposes, he said.
Tax Stand Explained.
The federation approves an in
heritance and an estate tax with 30
per cent being credited to the Dis
trict, as in the States, he said although
the federation has not sanctioned any
increases in taxes until 1t is fairly
determined that the money will be
appropriated and fairly spent.
If more money is needed for high
wavs the federation favors an in
creased gasoline tax, but opposes di-
version to other funds. The House
group last week anticipated a pro-
posed increase by recommending dl-
version to other funds.
The weight tax in lieu of the gen.
eral property tax on automobiles IS
opposed by the federation, CarrutnerS
stated, because the present tax is
based on ability to pay. He replied
to questions stating that he did not
believe the weight tax would remove
old and dangerous vehicles from the
streets.
Thomas Ellis Lodge, federation
president, appealed for an increased
police force and provision for en-
ployment of clerks to release officers
now doing clerical work for police
duty. An additional rs policemen
were provided for in the bill reported.
Lodge also called attention to con-
siderable loss of revenue as a result
of tearing down buildings for parking
lots. Assessments are then made on
the real estate value alone, he pointed
out.
Harry S. Wender, chairman of the
federation's Public Safety Commit
tee. asked $4,000 for installation OF
additional traffic lights and replace
ment of the old type wooden stop
signs at many intersections.
Health Needs Cited.
DR.. Charles B. Campbell, chair
man of the Public Health Commit
tee. showed that in the District only
95 cents per capita is spent for health
purposes, whereas in other cities the
average is SITS. This amounts to
only 1.6 per cent here for an aver
age of a. per cent elsewhere, he de-
clared. The District has practically
five more deaths per 100000 mhabi-
tants than any other city in the
United States excepting El Paso, Tex.
Ell Paso he explained, has a great
many tuberculosis patients.
The request of the Health Depart
ment for $150,0O0 for the establish
ment of one of two proposed health
centers is indorsed by the federation,
he told the House Committee.
There is great need for more nurses,
physicians and inspectors In the city,
he said Many stores are violating
the building regulations by displaying
food outside. There Is only one bar
ber-shop inspector. DR.. Campbell
said he has in his practice OF medi-
cine recently found the prevalence
of psoraisis-a form Of ringworm in
fection-picked up in barber shops
by "a very good class of patients"
There were 1000 cases OF dphtheria
here last year, with ~ deaths, where
as the city Of Manchester, N. H., with
$4,000 inhabitants has not had case
Of the disease in the past five years
because their Health Department
was able to do the work that our
Health Department should have the
money to do" This means giving a
toxoid to every child from az months
to years Of age. thus making 1t i'm
mune for life, he said. Baltimore
spends $4,000 annually for vaccine
and last year reported only $50 cases
of diphtheria and 27 deaths.
Laboratory Use Outlined.
The establishment of q laboratory
in the District would reduce the 40
per cent fatality list Of pneumonia
patients. There are four types of
pneumonia and each requires a spe-
cial type Of serum to counteract 1t.
yxy1,{1n Tho hyoh ~ont ~ the Aer1lrn