Evening star., 1940-04-21
D. T.. Heads 10 Urue
Senators 10 Restore
Underpass Fund
Scott Circle Work and
Other Increases to Be
Asked Tomorrow

OtHSI increases 10 De
Asked Tomorrow
Restoration of authority to proceed
with plans for traffic underpass at
Scott Circle. and small increases for
various municipal departments, will
be recommended by the Commits
sioners when Senate hearings start
at 10 am. tomorrow on the $48,-
276,717 District supply bill for the
next fiscal year.
Even if all of the items to be
asked by the city heads are restored,
the total will be only $633 ,859, or
about half the amount the House
cut from the budget estimates.
The subcommittee headed by Sem
ator Overton of Louisiana is expect
ed to devote the first few days to
hearing District officials explain the
items they believe should be re-
stored, after which spokesmen for
civic groups will be heard.
AS the bill passed the House it
was estimated the District may have
an 100000 deficit at the end of
the coming year, prospect which
leaves the Senate little leeway for
the consideration of any substantial
new projects.
$336,489 for General Fund.
OF the $633,85 restoration Com
mlssloners are seeking only the
1896. .489 is for purposes chargeable
TO the general fund--the fund in
which the deficit may occur. The
highway and water department items
are financed separately out of gaso-
line taxes and water rents, and are
not affected by the deficit problem.
II all general fund increases are
granted, therefore, the deficit might
exceed $1,000,0OO, depending some
what on the ultimate Weld from
the new income tax. Figures avail
able thus far do not measure UP to
the advance estimate that the CITY
would get $3,200,000 a year from
the corporate and individual in
come levies.
The only specific amount being
requested for the Scott Circle
underpass is authority to use SIS 900
to prepare plans. Upon completion
OF the plans, however, the Commits
sioners would submit them to the
Public Roads Administration for
construction as a Federal-aid prof.
ect. and under that heading the Dis
trlct would have money in its high
way fund to meet the local share
The new underpass is expected to
cost 100000.
Dupont Circle Next.
The Commissioners have informed
Senator Overton that the increase
IN traffic congestion at Scott Circle
since the opening of an underpass
at Thomas Circle was expected by
District officials.
They Informed the Senator the
logical course is to proceed without
delay to built the Scott Circle pro-
ject, and added that this would be
followed later by changes at Dupont
Circle
At Scott Circle the Commissioners
propose to underpass Sixteenth
street traffic and to create a long
oval with channels and direction
islands to make the remaining inter-
section of Massachusetts, and Rhode
Island avenues simple intersection
east and west of the present circle.
The Senator was told that the Scott
Monument would remain the central
feature. and the other monuments
would be relocated at each end of
the large plaza area.
$4,000 for IncineratOr Site,
The city heads also will ask for
restoration of $4,000 to acquire q
site for an additional incinerator
for the city refuse division.
Under the heading of the Free
Public Library, the Commissioners
will ask for an $1,000 increase in
the item for books and periodicals,
the addition of $2,500 to the book
binding fund and minor changes for
maintenance.
Restoration of a variety of COM
paratively small House cuts in school
estimates will be asked for by the
Commissioners.
All indications are the Senate sub
committee will not change the So
600, 900 lump-sum figure as the Fed
eral payment, since the House has
agreed to that amount for another
year.
On the eve of the hearings, Dis
trict Budget Officer Daniel j. DON
ovan was confined to his home yes
terday with an attack of bronchitis.
It is not likely he will be able to
attend the hearings, but will be rep
resented by William Wilding, who
has assisted him in the preparation
Of estimates for a number Of years.