Evening star., 1941-09-15
Trade Unit Asks
u. 5. Bear Cost
Of Defense Here
Budget Quiz Hears
Plea for CurtuiIment
Of Public Works
Earlier Story on Page A-1.)

tEarnef story on rage ALL
The Washington Board of Trade
today urged the Commissioners to
adopt a policy holding that projects
necessary because of defense should
be paid for by the Federal Govern
ment rather than by the District.
The recommendation was voiced
by Fred A. Smith, president of the
Board of Trade, when he took the
witness stand this afternoon at
public hearing on the 1943 budget
estimates.
The Commissioners completed the
hearings shortly after pm. after
hearing testimony for more than 80
civic and business leaders. Another
hearing had been scheduled for to-
morrow, but all witnesses who had
requested time to testify were heard
today.
Asserting that the defense pro-
gram is primarily a national, rather
than a local responsibility, and that
many new local problems have re-
SUllCu IL JILL tliC lCldtiNCly al
expansion caused by the defense
program. Mr.. Smith recommended
establishment of the suggested pol
icy and said:
This policy is being followed in
other cities throughout the country
which have been classified as i'm
portant defense areas and we be-
lieve that Washington is second to
no other community in its i'm
portance as defense area"
No Spending for "Frills.'
At the same time the trade or
ganization demanded that construc-
ton of public improvements be dras-
tically curtailed except in instances
where expansion is necessary be-
cause of defense activities, and that
public facilities already constructed
be maintained in first-class shape
Other high lights of the boards
statement included a recommenda-
ton for a balanced budget, financed
by revenues from present taxes at
present rates; that every dollar be
spent "for essentials and not for
frills," and that health and SANTA
tion service, police and fire pro-
lection and other essential services
should not be curtailed, but should
be expanded.
Mr. Smith said that public i'm
provements should be placed in these
classes first, emergency capital ex-
penditures. or those which are es-
sential to the defense effort; second,
those which may be called imme-
diate community needs, and third,
those which may be classified as de-
sirable but not vitally necessary.
Opposes Budget Increases.
Only capital improvements which
fall into the first class and the most
urgently needed of those in the Sec
ond class should be constructed, Mr..
Smith declared.
He warned, however, that adop-
ton of this policy should not mean
a postponement of planning. On the
other hand, he said, some suggested
budget increases should not be
granted at this time.
Among these he mentioned parks
and Fairgrounds, whose services
should not be expanded until the
emergency is over, he said, and the
relief and social service program.
Unemployment has virtually dis
appeared" he testified, land it ap-
pears to us as laymen, that the cost
of relief and some social service not
essential to the aged and the ham
dicapped may logically be expected
to be curtailed.
"Our educational system is rapidly
expanding in certain sections of the
city, particularly the Northeast and
the Southeast. Our object should be
(See pTIDCrr pooo ovl