Evening star., 1938-03-03
SENATORS REVAMP
H|CHWAYPROCRAM
IN DISTRICT BILL.
Eliminate Underpasses and
Restore Fund for New
AnaCostia Bridge.
COMMITTEE REPORT
TODAY IS PROBABLE
Deficit to Be Met by New Taxes
Put at $4,700,000 Under
Change.
BACKGROUND

bAJ JhGRoONb-
One of major sections OF District
appropriation bill for 1899 as
passed by the House ,Uds that pro-
piding for ertenSire program of
street and bridge Improvements.
CttyS gro1rth in population in re-
cent years has created tremendous
traffic problem, NTH bottle neckS"
at Dupont and Thomas Circles be-
ing ttpo OF 1Dorst problems. House
bill 1rould haze prouided for con-
struction OF pehicular underpasses
at these points
The Senate Appropriations Com
mittee probably will report out the
1899 District appropriation bill late
today after reviewing numerous
changes made by the subcommittee,
including wide revision of the highway
fund construction program.
In finishing work on the measure
yesterday afternoon, the subcommittee
struck out the $48O,O00 Dupont Circle
traffic underpass, a similar $530.000
underpass at Thomas Circle. and the
100000 grade separation structure at
K street and Rock Greek and Potomac
Parkway. These cuts amounted to
s1.33o,oO0
The subcommittee then adopted a
substitute highway program consisting
of S620,000 to start the new Pennsyl-
vania avenue bridge across the Ana
costa: S460,000 for a new bridge
across the Rock Creek and Potomac
Connecting Parkway in the line of
Massachusetts avenue. and 100000 for
additional street paving in various
sections Of the city. These items
amount to $1,380,00O The new Mas
sachusetts avenue bridge is designed
to facilitate movement of traffic along
the connecting parkway.
May Exceed S47, 100000
While the exact total of the re-
vised bin will not be known until
the full committee reports today. un-
Official calculations indicate the House
total of s45,076,000 will be raised to
approximately s47,00o,00O, and pos
sibly higher. depending on how many
of the House cuts in miscellaneous
budget estimates are being restored.
A substantial factor in the increase,
however, is restoration Of the $685.
900 for street lighting, which was
omitted entirely in the House after
it had been eliminated as a new
charge against the highway fund.
The Senate subcommittee has re-
stored it to the general fund.
AS the committee prepared to act,
unofficial estimates indicated the re-
vamped measure would boost the citys
deficit to be met by new taxes from
approximately s2,0O0,O0O under the
House bill to about s4,700,000 under
the Senate bill.
Items added by the Senate subcom-
mittee would make the deficit in round
numbers S4,000,000. it is understood.
1t Is feared. however, that collections
during the current year from the busi-
ness privilege tax will probably fall
about 100000 short of the $3,O0O,000
estimated yield from that source. If
that proves correct, the 100000 would
have to be added to the expected deficit
for the coming fiscal year. This means
the House District Committee prob
ably will have to widen the new tax
program. To what extent, however,
will depend on final agreement of
House and Senate conferees on the ap-
preparation bill.
May Try Parking Meters.
The Senate subcommittee yesterday
authorized Chairman Thomas to offer
again the amendment which would
provide for a tryout of automobile
parking meters in Washington, and the
item is believed to have more prospect
OF being approved this year. 1t has
failed Of adoption twice, the last time
on a point of order. Senator Thomas
plans to ask for its passage under
suspension of rules if point of order
Is raised this year
The subcommittee also adopted an
amendment specifically authorizing
Health Department inspectors to in
spect public as well as privately
owned restaurants One member said
the subcommittee took this step after
being advised the jurisdiction of the
Health Department had been ques-
toned at the Interior Department and
the Senate restaurant.
The House item of $4,000 to enable
the House District Committee to
study proposed plans for reorganiz-
Ing the District government was elimi-
mated.
The subcommittee approved an
amendment to allow the Highway De-
partment to test materials in its own
laboratory.
The unemployment relief item is
being left at the House figure of
100000 for the time being, but with
$500 being recommended for an
immediate independent expert survey
to determine before Congress adjourns
whether more should be provided in
the last deficiency bill.