Evening star., 1938-09-14
$66,3OO,0(O Dc.
REQUESTSPROMPT
: INQUIRY ON NEEDS
Commissioners Call Heads
of Departments Monday
to Justify Sums.
WITNESSES, FEARING
TAX BOOST, PROTEST
Spokesman for Many Groups
Are Heard on Behalf of
Civic Improvements.
BY DON S. WARREN.

District department heads will be
called before the Commissioners, be-
ginning next Monday. to offer justi-
= fications for their requests aggregat-
ing $66, 100000 which brought pro-
tests from many spokesmen for civic
and business groups appearing at the
two-day public hearings, which ended
yesterday.
The Commissioners as yet have not
announced the figure to which they
will attempt to limit their estimates.
If they hold their requests to total
not requiring any further increase in
taxes. it would not exceed some $52,-
100000. according to rough estimates
made during the public hearings.
This figure includes s1,8O0,000 for
>trust accounts. which do not constitute
claim in regular revenues.
More than so spokesmen for organ
lied groups appeared before the Com
mSsioners in their public hearings.
While leaders presented a united
front against a budget which would
contemplate any further tax boost,
many speakers urged approval Of indi-
Ndual neighborhood development
plans. One District official asserted
the public hearings this year were
more helpful than usual
Privilege Levy Attacked.
Opposition to continuation of the
business privilege tax was voiced late
yesterday by Ringgold Hart, spokes-
man for the Merchants and Manu-
facturers Association. While urging
that the 1910 budget be held down
to this years revenue total, Mr. Hart
declared the business privilege levy
was the most unfair of any tax yet
levied on the District, even with the
} amendments in force this year. He
said his first choice of a new tax
would be a sales tax, but he added
there is no use talking about that"
meaning that in his opinion Con-
gress would not pass such levy. He
said his preference. therefore. was
for an equitable" income tax He
added that District costs could be
reduced by a reorganization of the
District, subject now being studied
by experts working for congressional
committees.
Construction of branch library in
the Fort Slocum area was urged by
George A. Corbin, representing the
Manor Park Citizens Association. He
also urged removal of the old Tuber-
culosls Hospital at Fourteenth and Up
shur streets NV. and use of the
property as site for new Wilson
Teacher College.
Pollution Remedy Asked.
Demands that steps be taken to
eliminate pollution from Rock Greek
were voiced by Mrs. Elizabeth T. Sui
Ivan, representing the Progressive
Citizens Association of Georgetown.
When told that the requests of the
department heads did not call for elm
ination Of this problem, she added:
THAT means nothing is being done
about it. The District has spent huge
sums for construction of parkways,
roads and bridges along Rock Creek,
but we have ignored one of the fun
. damental factors, the open sewer that
constitutes the creek itself. The men,
bers of the Progressive Citizens As
ISOLATION will not let up in their fight
against this problem"
Metropolis View School Asked.
George E. Miller, jr., speaking fol
the Metropolis View Citizens Associ-
alton, asked for funds for construction
OF an elementary school for his Sec
ton and for various street improve
ments.
An improvement program for South
west Washington was offered by
Harry S. Wender, representing the
Southwest Citizens Association. While
asking for $685. for completion OF
construction of the new Thomas JET
ferSon Junior High School and Library
which Is to be started soon, he urged
that funds be provided for construc-
ton Of swimming pool in the build
ing.
Among other requests, Mr.. Wender
urged provision of funds for an en-
largement of the number of police
serving the No. precinct.
New Brookland School Urged.
Marvin M. Mclean, president OF
the Brookland Citizens Association
asked funds for replacement of the
Brookland Elementary School, which
Is some so years old. with a l2-foom
new building, including an auditorium
any gymnasium
H. D. Woodson, colored, speaking for
the Far Northeast Council, asked for
flood control projects in Watts Park
way, provision of recreation center
for the area, construction of a Junior
high school, provision Of a branch
library, and construction OF a senior
high school specializing in vocation
training at Twenty-fourth and Ben.
ming streets NE.
Sidney r. Katz, secretary treasure,
Of the Washington Industrial Council
Of the c. I. O., asked funds for relief
Of employable persons, declaring there
were some 5000 such needy persons
In the District, as against previous
estimates Of 5000.
A. Julian Brylawski, representing thu
newly formed District Council of Mu
nicipal Administration. urged the
Commissioners to seek a reduction ir
the real estate tax rate in thei,
handling of appropriation requests.
William P. Thomas, speaking fo,
the Bladensburg Road Citizens Asso.
clation, urged II highway improve.
ments, construction Of an elementary
school and junior high school alone
Bladensburg road NE, and sewer con.
struction along Thirty-third stree
NE. from Adams street to New Yorl
avenue.
Y:. wi