Evening star., 1942-04-14
Fowler Asks New Uni
To Collect Fees for
St. Elizabeth Cases
District Subcommittee
Is Told New System
Would Save $4,000

mated would save the District $50.
900 q year. was recommended to the
subcommittee on District Appro-
priations today by Walter L. Fowler,
District budget ofncer, and @. W.
Pearson, collector Of taxes.
STAFF Of the new unit would be an
attorney. two investigators and q
stenographer. The office would op-
crate directly under the collector OF
taxes but would cooperate closely
with the Board Of Public Welfare
and the Commission on Mental
Health. Its primary work would be
to investigate and collect fees for
persons committed to st. Elizabeth 8
Hospital.
Mr.. Fowler explained that the
courts now determine who is to pay
and how much for persons COM
mitted to st. Elizabeth's. The new
unit would be expected to see that
the proper amount Is collected.
Could BE Given Home Care.
A number of persons who now are
in the hospital, on whom the Dis
trict must pay per diem rate, could
be cared for In their homes, the sub
committee WIS told.
The tax collector asked for an
additional cashier at 1000 base pay
to supplement his present collection
force. 10 v. Morgan, the one-man
Board Of Tax Appeals. also appeared
before the subcommittee asking for
one additional clerk.
Chairman Mahon of the subcom.
mittee gave assurance today there
would be no need to raise the pres.
ent SITS tax.
The budget, revised since it was
first approved last fall, calls for ap-
propriations totaling about $56 ,500,-
900. Originally, it was $4,000, 600
less.
Despite the increase, due chiefly
to the wartime growth Of Wash
ington, Representative Mahon de-
clared: :
There will be ample money to
run the District in the new fiscal
year without any increase in real
and personal property taxes"
Hears Young on Finances.
Mr.. Mahon based his prediction or
information given the subcommittee
by Commissioner Young, the first wit.
ness, who presented comprehen-
sive picture of the financial condi-
ton of the municipal government
in the current fiscal year, which
ends june 80. and the probable out
look In the future.
At the same time, however, SUBJ
committee members indicated they
might recommend an increase In
water rates to provide needed ex-
pansions in both the water supply
and distribution systems. The
present basic rate is $8.75 for 7,50C
cubic feet.
Commissioner Young, 1t is under
stood, told the subcommittee that
even with the $4,000, 900 increase In
the budget, which is intended tc
support the municipal government
in the IL months beginning July
increased taxes would not be neces-
sary unless unforeseen circum.
stances arise"
Higher water rates were proposed
it was said, after District officials
revealed the Water Department
which sustains itself on revenue
from water rents, had spent all but
about $65, 900 of its $4,000 900 re.
serve in service extensions in areas
in which Government war workers
have concentrated. ...
Proposed Last Year.
An increase in water rates, f1rsi
proposed last year, is now awaiting
an investigation by the Senate Dis.
trict Committee. A resolution pro-
viding for the inquiry was intro.
duced by Chairman McCarran Of
the Senate District Committee anc
was approved. The investigation
has not yet been started.
One of the major items in the
revised estimates calls for $3.50. .00(
for construction of q large dual.
purpose main to provide additiona
water facilities for the Capitol Hill
and AnacoStia areas. This main
ranging from 20 to. 30 inches in size
would run from Second and Eas
Capitol streets to Pennsylvania ans
Kentucky avenues Sc.
Another outstanding item pro
vides nearly 81, ,000, 900 to begin con.
struction OF q new bridge across tn,
Anacostia River connecting the foo
Of South Capitol street with tn,
Anacostia parkway. This span i
intended primarily to relieve con
gestion on the. Eleventh Stree
Bridge, and $25.0oo for surveys AMI
preparation of plans for Its con
struction are. carried. In the curren
appropriation act.