Evening star., 1942-01-25
D. G.. Finances
Continued From First Page)

=
cluding emergency reservoirs and
mobile equipment.
Federal Debt Sl2,s62,0oo.
At the same time, the statement
of the Commissioners shows that
the city already is in debt to the
United States to the extent of some
sl2,362 900 under various acts of Con-
gress, not including whatever debt
may accure under the through Con-
gressional approval for a Federal
advance under the amended Lam
ham Act. This debt may amount to
more than $4,000, 900, which would
raise the total considerably above
$l4,OOO,OOO.
Just what the Commissioners will
elect to do if Federal officials and
Congress refuse increased grants to
meet wartime means of protecting
the National Capital was not stated.
but there were suggestions that a
boost in the District income tax
combined, perhaps, with local sales
tax might be asked.
However, there we're indications
such steps would not be proposed
until last-ditch fight had been
mace for assumption by the United
States of its full responsibility
toward the National Capital.
The Fowler statement, approved
by the Commissioners, recited that
during the past calendar year Con-
gress had approved regular, de-
flciency and supplemental approp-
riations for the District due to en-
ergency and, later, wartime condi-
tions which increased municipal ex-
penditures by no less than $5,238,-
$50.
Like Items in 1943 Budget.
To this they added similar costs
totaling s1,627,1 ,140 which the Com
missioners and the Budget Bureau
had approved for inclusion in the
estimates for the fiscal year be-
ginning July l. now awaiting action
in the House and to the second to-
tai the Commissioners now add
$ll ,309, 800 which they have tenta-
lively approved at requests of Dis
trict department executives either
as additions to the pending 1913
budget estimates or as deficiencies
for the last four months of the
current fiscal year.
Among these items are funds:
Cd To provide for the induction of
500 special police at IS a day for
3l3 days, plus employment of 100
more regular policemen, at a total
cost, plus uniforms and equipment,
OF sl,033220; % To provide for
construction to accommodate 1000
additional beds at Gallinger Munich
pal Hospital and at the District
tuberculosis Sanatorium at Glenn
Dale. Md, and TO permit employ
ment of nearly 240 additional work.
erS at these places, at G. total esti-
mated cost of s3,9S4,O 80 To
provide emergency fire-f1ghting ia
cilities and personnel, s7s8,87O;
"a To extend sewers and water
mains to meet emergency housing
replacements, $500, 900; 60 To aug
ment water and sewer facilities to
meet conditions that will arise If
Washington's population is in
creased by the expected $50 600 per-
sons in the next year, due to war
time operations here, $4,993, 300.
Extra Costs Top Is Million.
From this tabulation, it would az
pear that the Districts extra costs,
directly attributable to the war
time emergency, including appropri-
ations already approved by Con-
gress and those now approved or
tentatively approved by the Com
missioners, total more than s1S.0O0,-
600, all chargeable, to date, to nor
NAL District revenues. In fact,
Treasury officials a few days ago
insisted that the District heads
should sign a formal agreement for
payment of interest on the $1.O00,-
600 advanced to the municipality
under the District Blackout Act for
protection of life and property in
the National Capital although this
act of Congress made no mention
either of interest payments or when
or how the advance should be re-
paid to the United States.
District Budget Officer Fowler, in
his appraisal of the emergency
financial situation-which was in
dorsed by Commissioners Young and
Mason as their own statement-said: ::
I'VE cannot deny or ignore the
possible tragic implications which
the present and near future situa-
ton holds for this municipality
Present wartime activities are pre-.
senting problems far more complex
than those which confronted us in
1917. We have endeavored to keep
pace within the limits of anticipated
revenues, plus an inadequate Fed
eral contribution of $6,O00000.
Sees "City Within City"
I'VE must now realize that there
is to be in all probability a city
within our city-a literal beehive Of
wartime activity. This calls for re-
vision of estimates and broader
vision. The thousands upon thou
sands of additional workers and
families of workers will be entitled
to every municipal service, even
sweep up and down the capitals