Evening star., 1937-11-20
TRADE BOARD POLL
CALLS FOR BUDGET
UNDER $50,0DO,0DO
Senator Thomas Question
Shows Sentiment Is for
$4,000, 900 D. c. Sum.
MEMBERS HEAR HAZEN
DEFEND HIGHER FIGURE
Colladay Hits Privilege and Sales
Tax and Urges Fair Fed
eral Payment.

Climaxing meeting devoted almost
entirely to discussion Of tax and
budget problems and municipal gov
ernment costs, the Board Of Trade
last night served notice it will oppose
any increase in the 1899 District ap-
preparation bill over that OF the cur
rent fiscal year.
With the ballroom Of the Willard
Hotel filled to capacity for what Board
President Edward F. Colladay called
"a family conference on mutual prob
lems," show of hands revealed over
whelming sentiment in favor Of keep
ing municipal operating costs in the
1899 fiscal year within the limits Of
the present year.
The informal, unScheduled vote was
called for by Senator Elmer Thomas,
Democrat. of Oklahoma, chairman Of
the Senate subcommittee which will
frame the District supply bill, after
the board members had heard Com
missioner Melvin c. HaZen defend the
Commissioners request for a $50,000,-
900 appropriation for 1899.
TOScS 1uCIcdSC VuCStlOHs
I'D just like to know how many OF
you want the budget increased over
that of last year." the Senator said.
Only few hands were raised.
Now" continued Senator Thomas
"how many favor $47,OO0000 supply
bill, the same as that for this year?"
Practically all board members raised
their hands. A moment later. few
raised their hands in favor of a
smaller budget.
In defending the proposed 1899
estimates as submitted to the Budget
Bureau, Commissioner HaZen cited the
decrease in revenues in the District
since 1882 and the accompanying re-
duction in the annual Federal pay
ment toward District expenses.
In addition, he pointed out, operat-
ing costs have been increased by new
smoke and boiler inspection laws,
establishment of the Minimum Wage
Board. new tuberculosis sanatorium.
new sewage disposal plant, old-age
pensions. aid to the blind, establish
ment of 40-hour week for per diem
| employees of the District and other
things. IN 1882, he said, more than
S4,000,000 greater revenue was COL
lected than in 1887, and the Federal
payment was considerably larger.
Fear Gripping Departments.
| The Commissioners felt that to cut
the budget below s50,0O0,00O would
mean seriously handicapping the
schools and police, fire, health and
other departments, Mr. HaZen said
The new concept Of the responsibility
of government toward the less fortu-
nate has meant greater expense, he
said
Explaining how Federal aid in Dis.
trict costs has been reduced since 1879
when it assumed half the burden, ur
to the present time, the Commissioner
declared:
Il feel strongly that the responsi.
bility of making Washington the
greatest capital of any nation in the
world should be shared by the people
of the country through a fair anc
adequate Federal payment toward ex.
penses."
Addressing the gathering before
Commissioner Hazen, President Cola.
day denounced the business privilege
tax, rejected a retail sales tax and ar
income tax as substitutes and urgec
District Government heads to con.
tinue to keep a balanced Distric
budget by: % Fair and adequate ia,
laws, with equal application to all tax.
payers; (2) prevail upon Congress tx
vote a fair Federal payment towarc
municipal costs, and go keep ex.
penditures within the limits of thu
revenues and the Federal payment.
Cites Tax Alternatives.
If business is to get relief from tht
business privilege tax, Mr.. Colladay
said, the Commissioners must recon-
mend other new taxes or raise some
of the present levies, such as the ia,
on real estate. He said the Municipa
Committee of the board is on recore
against a retail sales tax or incom,
tax.
Engineer Commissioner Dan I. Sui.
tan discussed the growth of the variou.
departments for which he is re.
sponsible, pointing out the need fol
larger appropriations for personnel ant
equipment.
Practically all municipal depart
ments were represented at the meet
ing, in addition to Senator Thomas
Senator King, chairman of the Senat,
District Committee; Representative
Palmisano, chairman of the Hous'
District Committee, and other dis
tinguished guests.
Police and Fire Heroes Honored.
The meeting also was featured b,
the presentation of distinguished serv
ice medals to the police and fire heroe
of 1887 chosen by the District Com
mittee on Awards. The presentation
were made by Robert v. Fleming
member of the committee, who reat
the citations.
Gold medals were awarded to De
tective Sergt. John A. Cation and Fire
man William P. Waldenmaier Of Nc
9 Truck Company. Silver medals wer
presented to Policeman A. Bodwel
and 1t. Harvey ]. Clark of No.
Engine Company, and bronze bars wer
awarded Policeman John A. Burgess
and Fireman Jesse M. Jameson o
No. II Engine Company.
Preceding the general meeting, tn
| hoo ri hold dinner in honor of fb