Evening star., 1938-01-09
D.C.TAXPR0BLEM
BEFORE CITIZENS
Work of Associations During
Half of 1878 Season
Is Reviewed.

With half the civic year completed,
the more than 65 citizens associations
Of the District are still confronted
with such urgent problems as a tax
bill and the investigation of conditions
at Gallinger Hospital.
Perhaps the most stressing item
to be ironed out is making up in
taxes the $l,800000 needed to balance
the 1899 budget as reported out by
the Budget Bureau, as well as what
taxes should be substituted for those
in effect this year. The bureaus
figure of s47.344,7O2 for 1889 is con-
siderably less than the amount rec
commended by the Commissioners.
Nevertheless, more than IA civic Or
ganizations, including the Federation
of Citizens Associations, are on rec
ord as favoring budget no higher
than the current $46.390,000 appro-
priation, which in itself called for ap-
proximately $9,000000 in taxes.
While not committing himself def
nitely on the future attitude of the
Federation, L. A. Carruthers, its pres
ident, pointed out recently that the
organization last spring had voted
against any increase in the current
appropriations Further action was
scheduled at last nights meeting.
Increased Budget Opposed.
Any increase over the present budget
found IA associations in opposition
while groups favored an increase
The Connecticut Avenue Association
at its October meeting favored 1899
budget Of SAC, 100000, an increase of
$500,000 over the present appropria-
ton. The Brookland organization
went several steps further and IA
vored an appropriation in 1899 Of $48,-
100000, 100000 more than the figure
reported out by the Budget Bureau.
The Federation favors a general
sales tax in lieu of the present busi-
ness privilege tax, while 18 groups
have voted outright against the busi-
ness privilege tax, the majority Of
these requesting general sales tax.
The only association giving any con-
sideration to the present business priv
ilege tax is the Michigan Park group,
which passed motion opposing the
adoption of any new taxes. At the
time the motion was passed the busi-
ness privilege tax was considered more
desirable than a sales tax. Further
taxes, the motion read, would be JUS
tifiable only if accompanied by a
right to vote, and that otherwise would
be high degree of unjustness."
Almost of equal Importance as the
tax situation with the citizens is q
solution to the transportation system
as regards fare increase
Early in the fall, with the approval
OF the Public Utilities Commission,
the Capital Transit Co. increased its
rate of fare from four tokens for 80
cents to six for so cents. Immediately
there was a hue and cry from organ
lied citizenry of the District. Some
opposed the increase outright, while
others asked that if an increase was
necessary that the fare be three tokens
for IS cents.
Is Oppose New Rate.
To date 18 associations have voted
IN opposition to the increase. while
only three-American University Park,
Burleith and Petworth-have indorsed
the action of the Public Utilities Com
mission in allowing the Capital Tran
sit Co. to raise its fares. No specific
reasons were given at the time by any
Of the three organizations for its in
dorsement Of the increase.
Taking more drastic action than
Nmply opposing the increase, a few
OF the more aggressive groups have
demanded congressional investiga-
sion OF the transit company with q
view to valuation and transit rate.
CityWide attention now is being
focused on Gallinger Hospital with its
inadequate operating facilities and
shortage Of personnel.
AS means of relieving the badly
overcrowded hospital, it was sug-
gested by some and approved by the
District health officer, DR.. George C.
Rutland, that the abandoned Tuber-
eulosis Hospital on Upshur street NV.
be made a convalescent home as an
adjunct Of Gallinger. This proposal,
like the street car increase, met with
. storm Of protest from the citizens
associations. Their opposition was
based on the fact, in part, that the
boning laws of the District did not
permit the type of building that would
be required in that neighborhood, that
conveyance of patients from Gallinger
10 the Upshur street building, a dis
tance Of about miles, would have to
be considered and also the matter of
parking cars on guest days at the
hospital Nevertheless, the proposal
Is included in the 1899 District budget
as reported to Congress by the Budget
Bureau.
Merger Suggested.
1t has been suggested by some groups
nat Galllnger be merged with the
Homeopathic Hospital, a suggestion
which does not have the approval of
the Health Department. Another sug-
gestion offered by one Of the associa-
tions was that the maternity section of
Gallinger be transferred to Columbia
Hospital. since the latter institution is
located on Government-owned ground
and greater percentage of its pa
tients are obstetrical cases.
The score on the merger of Gallinger
with the old tuberculosis Hospital finds
IL associations opposed and six in
accordance.
In opposing the merger, 10 of the
associations favored the use of the old
tuberculosis Hospital as an educa-
tional or recreational center. The only
group opposing the merger that didn't
stipulate the use to be made of the
former tuberculosis Hospital was the
Congress Heights Association.
While the budget, taxes, transporta-
tion and health have been foremost in
the minds of the citizens, other prob
lens of perhaps lesser importance
have been acted upon in the last four
months.
Free admission nf non.resident etu-