Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-06-13
By JAMES E. CHM.

BY JAMES Il. CHINN.
The 1912 District Appropriation
Bill calling for S52,547,081 to oper-
ate the municipal government in
the 12-month period beginning July
was reported to the House today.
The measure, providing more
funds than ever before appropriated
for the District in one year, paves'
the way for extensions in such vital
municipal services as the public
schools, the water and sewer sys-
TENS as well as urgently needed
highway Improvements - most of
them made necessary by the rapid
expansion of the city as result of
the influx Of national defense work.
ers.
AS forecast, the bill would con-
tinue the present s6,000000 lump
sum Federal payment toward Dis
trict expenses.
House MAY Pass Bill To-day.
The $50 .547,081 appropriation rec
commended represents an increase
of 5000 446 over the amount the
municipal government was author
lied to spend in the current fiscal
year ending June 80. Yet the figure
is 81 ,051 500 less than the Commits
sioners and budget bureau had ap-
proved in both regular and supple
mental estimates.
An effort is going to be made in
the House to pass the appropriati
bill late today so it can 60 to the
Senate without further delay. since
only about two weeks remain be-
fore beginning OF the new fiscal
year. 80
Failure of the House yesterday
to pass the w. P. A. relief bill as
anticipated is expected to delay
House consideration of the measure
for several hours this afternoon.
Confidence was expressed, however,
by Chairman Mahon of the Appro-
priations Subcommittee, who will
pilot the measure through the
House, that it will be passed and
sent on its way to the Senate be-
fore nightfall.
Emergency Budget Drafted.
Some mystery existed today re-
garding the s6.000000 emergency
supplemental budget" drafted by the
Commissioners hurridly yesterday
afternoon at the direction of a group
OF House members.
Decision to send up this supple
mental budget was reached after a
conference in Representative Ran
dolphs Office. following which an
announcement was made of a pro-
posal to increase from SITS to 50
the real and personal property tax
rate and to increase from 2 to 3
cents gallon the tax on gasoline. P;
These proposed increases in local
taxes, plus million and a,
half increase in the Federal pay
ment. would produce an estimated
S6.000,0OO.
After the conference in Mr.. RAN
dolph'S Office, the Commissioners re-
turned to the District Building and
items totaling $6,00O0OO were rushed
to the Capitol and delivered to the
office of Chairman Mahan.
No one would say what the plans
were today for the consideration of
this supplemental budget and tax
increase
81 More Policemen.
The bill reported to the House to-
day provides funds for an increase
of 81 in the Metropolitan police
force-46 less than urged by Supt.
Ernest w. Brown-as well as for the
installation of two-story radio
communication system in 90 police
scout cars.
Funds to start construction OF
four new public schools, including
the long proposed new building to
replace the old Abbot Vocational
School to be erected in Brentwood,
also are provided. Other outstand-
ing new projects called for in the
bill are:
l.. Construction of new receiving
home for children to replace the
present rented "makeshift" quar-
tiers in the 800 block of Potomac
avenue Sc.
2. An actual start on health CEN
ter in the Northwest section. $40 900
having been recommended for pur-
chase of a site and preparation Of
plans.
8. A high temperature incinerator
to be located in the Northeast sec
ton for which S150000 is provided
to begin construction. There are
now two such incinerators-one in
(See D. C. BUDGET, Page Aid