Evening star., 1937-01-01
BY DON S. WARREN.

BY DON S. WARREN
The problem of how to finance the
mounting needs Of a rapidly growing
National Capital overshadowed all
other municipal affairs during the past
year and raised the definite threat Of a
tax rise for the future.
The Commissioners today voiced
the hope for an increase in the Federal
payment toward expenses of the
/ District, declaring that only such ac-
ton can remove the necessity for
placing a heavier burden on Washing
ton taxpayers.
Congress will provide the answer
when it acts on the District budget
for the next fiscal year, after receiv-
ing a recommendation from President
Roosevelt as to what should be the
size of the Federal payment.
Must Have More Funds.
Solution Of this very difilcult prob
lem is the primary objective OF the
Commissioners for the new year." said
Melvin c. Hazen, president Of the
Board OF Commissioners.
We have made our case before the
Presidents Fiscal Relations Committee
and await it's report and the ensuing
action by Congress.
This much is definite Unless
Congress approves q more liberal pay
ment we have got to raise additional
revenues by taxation. We will come
to the end of this fiscal year, June
80, with a deficit new estimated at
some 5000, 900. Our needs for ex-
pansion Of the housing Of municipal
agencies are mounting rapidly. With
out an incrase in revenues the Dis
trict next year will be unable to meet
even the cost of maintenance and
operation, and have not . cent for
Capital improvements"
Outlines Developments.
Commissioner Hazen outlined as
some Of the developments he hopes
may be provided upon solution Of the
financial problem:
Starting OF construction Of the
Municipal Center, rebuilding Of many
of the old police station houses. adop-
tion Of an adequate school building
program, expansion and remodeling
Of the District Jail or the erection OF
a new structure. q variety of additions
to the Home for Feebleminded and
improvements for many of the other
agencies under the Board Of Public
Welfare.
There will be many important
legislative proposals affecting the Dis
trict, presented for congressional &C.
ton in the coming session." the Com
missioner continued. Il hope, par
ticularly, for passage bills for modern
izing the Juvenile Court procedure, for
creation OF a mental health commits.
sion for handling lunacy cases, estab-
lishment Of a farm for treatment of
habitual drunkards, to require semi
annual inspection Of all motor We
hicles, and to strengthen the laws
against gambling"
Commissioner George E. Allen hopes
the new year will bring favorable
action by Congress on the Joint reso-
luton which would pave the way for
the granting of national representa-.
ton to the District. Allen and other
delegates won adoption at the Demo-
cratic National Convention of q plank
calling for q congressional study of
the plan.
Despite our budget and finance
problems" said Allen. Il believe the
District made some real progress In
the past year The Unemployment
Compensation Board was created and
has placed in effective operation the
collection OF funds to be used later as
q guarantee against hardship on per-
sons who lose their employment.
The w. p. A. program was placed
on better and more sound basis and
the kinks were ironed out. Direct re.
lief for those who are not employable
saved countless instances of suffering.
The Health Department has made
progress in its campaign against
spread of communicable diseases, espe-
cially as to tuberculosis and diph-
iberia and has developed q general
ized nursing service. We hope the
budget for the next fiscal year will
contain funds for the erection OF the
first of a series OF health centers."
Construction Restricted.
The Districts financial straits seri-
ously restricted the construction pro-
grams Of the city government. but a
number Of important projects we're