Evening star., 1940-08-28
Commissioners
Face Task Of
Cutting Budget
Department heuds
Will Be Called to
Justify Requests


Commissioners fiat declaration that
the total estimates will be cut to
conform with definitely anticipated
revenues.
The city heads announced, at the
conclusion of two days of public
hearings on the budget yesterday,
that they will not approve any
increases in the general fund that
will entail increased taxes.
The departmental chiefs will be
called before the Commissioners
next Wednesday to justify their
budget requests. Commissioner Mel
win c. HaZen said he would propose
at. the Commissioners meeting Fri
day that the department heads be
given an opportunity to indicate
where they believe the least-damag-
ing budget cuts can be made.
Since the department requests
aggregate about $62,OOO,O 900, the city
heads face the task of pairing ap-
proximately $l0,OO0,O00 from the es-
Inmates to bring them within the
currently anticipated 1912 income
of $50 1000, 900.
Help From Testimony Seen.
The Commissioners said they be-
lieved the testimony presented by
numerous civic and business repre-
sentatives during the two-day hear
ing will prove to be unusually help
full in formulating the budget they
will submit to Congress.
There's no chance, of course, that
all of the requests submitted will
be satisfied" Commissioner Hazen
said. That wouldn't be possible
without increasing taxes, and I'm
sure that any one who sat in on
the hearings heard enough to con-
vince him that there was over
whelming sentiment against any tax
increase"
He pointed out that three of the
largest organizations represented at
the hearings, the Board of Trade,
the Merchants and Manufacturers
Association and the Federation of
Citizens Associations, were strongly
IN favor of keeping the budget
within prospective revenues.
While it is yet too early to decide
where the economies will be made,
observers predicted a substantial cut
in the S5,00O,000 increase requested
by the Board of Education. A slash
of approximately this amount was
made in the boards requests last
year.
Health Department and Welfare
Board estimates were considered
likely to be trimmed a little in the
general reductions.
Realty Tax Increase Opposed.
Testimony during the two days
OF hearings found the citizenry
unanimous against any increase in
the SITS real estate tax, but at least
two recommendations were made to
increase the corporate and personal
income tax to finance any needed
increases, one proposal for a sales
tax was made and one witness sug-
gested an increase in the gasoline
tax
The Endorsement of the sales levy
was given by Mrs. Ernest w. Howard
of the Federation of Women's Clubs.
The suggestions to raise the income
tax came from Molly Yard of the
Washington Youth Council and Sid
ney Katz of the Maryland and Dis
trlct Council of the c. I. o.
Mr.. Katz suggested that the Com
mlssloners conduct a city-wide ref
erendum on the proposed budget
increases. Then, if the citizens ex-
pressed willingness to pay for the
increases with higher taxes, the
personal and corporate income tax
rates could be raised, he said
Expressing support for the We'll
fare Departments request for a
100000 increase in the appropria-
tlon for public assistance, Mr.. Katz
suggested that a deficiency ap-
preparation for public assistance
should be sought for the present
fiscal year because, he said, the need
is as urgent now as it will be next
year.
The gas tax increase proposal was
made by Leifur Magnusson of the
Monday Evening Club, who also
suggested that the law be amended,
If necessary, to permit the use of
gas tax funds in providing the re-
quested direct relief fund increase.
Asked If he owned a car, Mr.. Mag
nusson replied: Yes, and I get
only 13 miles per gallon, but I'm still
in favor OF raising the gasoline tax"
Complaint Lodged.
A complaint that the eastern sec
ton has been neglected in the
development of the city was lodged
by A. D. Calvert, representing the
Northeast Conference of Citizens
Associations. Requests from North
east civic bodies always have been
Exceedingly moderate" he said,
adding: Millions of dollars have
been spent in giving us what we
didn't need while denying us essen
tial things"
Mr.. Calvert renewed a proposal
that a superhighway be built paral-
leling the metropolitan branch of
the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad from
Takoma Park to Union Station to
provide fast transportation for resi-
dents of Takoma Park and adjacent
areas to downtown Washington.
1%OhAo SJClbndlll, VI UllS
Congress Heights Citizens Associa-
tion, urged funds for a branch
library in Anacostia, a new police
precinct, a new bridge at the end of
South Capitol street, completion of
the Anacostia Junior Senior High
School, completion of the Oxon Run
tnterceptor and widening of Alabama
avenue between Fifth and Twelfth
streets Sc
Two spokesmen for the Southeast
Council of Citizens Associations,
VerniS AbSher and E. j. Read, sub
mitted list of proposals. including
/ requests for funds to complete the
Anacostia Junior-Senior High, to
construct a new elementary school
/ near Minnesota avenue and E street
Sc; to purchase sites for schools
! near Branch and Alabama avenues
and Alabama avenue and Ridge
road; for expansion and moderniza-