Evening star., 1940-05-05
0verton toAsk
Survey Be Made
Of D. {. Needs

Fovors Study Of
Construction Program
For Next Few Years
SENATE SUBCOMM1TTEE to de-
eide on one Of three. recreation
systems for District. Page C-6.
A survey by District officials to
provide the next Congress with list
Of major improvements Washington
may need during the next few years
will be suggested to the Senate Sub
committee on District Appropria-
tions this week by Chairman Over
ton. he revealed yesterday.
The Senator said that If the SUBJ
committee decides to request such
study he believes it should be con-
fined to replacement of existing
inadequate facilities and to "abso-
lutely essential" new projects.
Congress already has at its dis
posal reports prepared in the last
year on two phases of the capital
improvement problem-elementary
schools and fire stations. The new
study Senator Overton is now con-
sidering would give broader view
Of the city's future construction re-
quirements, and could include pos
sible needs of welfare institutions,
such as the Receiving Home For
Children and the Home For the
Aged and Infirm at Blue Plains.
No Forecast ON Changes.
At the same time, Senator Overton
avoided any predictions yesterday as
to what changes the Senate Sub
committee may make In House fig
ures when it meets Tuesday morn
ing to act on the $4s,276,717 District
appropriation bill for the fiscal year
commencing July l.
The proposed survey Of future
construction needs would not in
volve any expenditure during the
coming year, and could be provided
for formally as an amendment to
the bill, or as a request to the Com
missioners by the subcommittee.
The recent report on how saw
ings could be effected in future out
lays for the fire department by con-
solidating a number of engine and
truck companies was called for by
q clause in last years bill, while the
study of elementary school build
ing needs was made at the sugges-
ton Of Senator Overton.
Taxpayers Make Plea.
A last-minute appeal to the Sen
ate subcommittee to keep the 1941
District bill within expected rev.
enues to avoid increasing the real
estate tax rate was filed with Chair
man Overton yesterday by the
Washington Taxpayers Association.
through its president. Rufus s.
Lusk. Prevented by illness from
attending the hearings earlier in the
week, Mr.. -Lusk expressed belief |
there is no further chance for new
tax legislation at this session, and
that any deficit would have to be
met by the Commissioners raising
the real estate rate. Continuing, his
letter stated:
For the last three years there
has been . continued exodus of peo-
pie from Washington to the sur
rounding counties. More and more
is the residential building outside
OF Washington. During the first
three months of this year home con-
struction dropped approximately 18
per cent in the District of Columbia
compared to the same period last
year, but in the outlying area it
dropped less than per cent. Com
parative real estate taxes are Is per
cent to 20 per cent lover in the
nearby Maryland and Virginia
counties.
1T is suggested that the commit
tee stipulate SITS rate for 1941 in
the bill; then there will be no doubt
about the rate remaining the same
for the next year"
Deficit Predicted.
The House estimated the bill as it
stands would leave deficit in the
city's general fund at the close of
the fiscal year, June 80, 1941. Al
plan was suggested to the Senate
subcommittee in the recent hear
ings, however, under which it would
be possible for the Senate to restore
some of the House cuts, possibly to
the extent of 100000, without un-
balancing the local budget.
The plan involved permitting the
District to credit toward the fiscal
year all of the local income taxes
that will be due during the calendar
year. Although part of this revenue
would not be collected until October,
1941, the act of Congress permitting
semiannual payment of the income
tax also authorized the Commis-
sioners to obtain temporary ad-
yances Of funds from the Treasury.
Mr.. Lusk asked the Senate group
TO consider a suggestion that one
instead Of two policemen be assigned
to radio patrol cars. If adopted, he
said, it would cut down the number
needed for this purpose, or enable