Evening star., 1941-06-12
Welfare Center
Farm Plan
Is Sidetracked
Subcommittee Drops
Preliminary Item From
District Bill

The House subcommittee in charge
Of the 1912 District appropriation
bill, it was learned today, has side
tracked temporarily the plans Of
municipal officials to develop a well
fare center in either Maryland or
Virginia to provide modern accom-
modations for inmates of four in
stitutions-the Home for the Aged
and Infrm, the National Training
School for Girls, the Industrial Home
School and the Industrial Home
School for colored children.
The 1912 budget estimates consid-
cred by the subcommittee called for
$4,000 to provide plans and to pur-
chase land for the proposed welfare
center. The completed project was
estimated to cost about S3000,000
In rejecting the $4,000 item, the
subcommittee, it was said, took the
position that building construction
costs and land prices are now too
high, and that delay of a few
years in carrying out the project
would not seriously affect the in-
mates of the four institutions and
at the same time would save local
taxpayers thousands of dollars.
1,000-Acre Site Projected.
Robert E. Bondy, former director
of public welfare, who envisioned
the proposed welfare center, indi-
Gated it would require a site Of
1000 acres, about 400 of which would
be occupied by buildings. Six hum
dred acres would be farm to raise
food for inmates. The center would
have its own bakery, laundry, power
plant and hospital to serve inmates
of all four institutions. Z
The 1912 appropriation bill said.
to call for appropriations totaling
about s55 100000 to operate the Dis
trict government for the new fiscal
year beginning July 1.-THE largest.
sum in history-is scheduled to be-
reported to the House tomorrow.
Indications are it will be passed and
sent to the Senate the same day.
In advance of House consideration
of the 1912 supply bill. the Commis-
sioners and a group of House mem-
bers concerned with the fiscal situa-
ton of the municipal government
prepared to meet in executive con-
ference today to decide whether new
tax legislation is necessary.
To Consider Tax Increases.
Attending the conference will be
Chairman Randolph of the District
Committee. Chairman Mahon of the
subcommittee in charge of the 1912
appropriation bill and Chairman
Hunter of the Fiscal Affairs Sub
committee of the District Commit
tee.
The group will have before IL
for consideration a proposed bill,
drafted by Corporation Counsel
Richmond B. Keech. calling for an
increase in the Federal payment toA
ward District expenses from S6,000..
900 to S8500,000 a year, an increase
in the real and personal property
tax from SITS to 81 and an increase
in the local gasoline tax from 2 to 3
cents a gallon.
Mr.. Keech drafted the proposed
bill at the request of Representa-
tive Randolph, who several weeks
ago feared the District might need
additional revenue to meet emer-
gency expenses in the new fiscal
year as a result of the rapid ex.
pansion of the city. Meantime,
however, Representative Mahon
gave assurance the 1912 appropria-
ton bill will not necessitate any
| increased taxes. In fact, Mr.. Mahon
said that anticipated revenue in the
new fiscal year will not only sup
port a s55,000,000 budget, but will
allow surplus of about s1,000.00o
as cushion" to meet emergency
expenses.