Evening star., 1945-01-09
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revenues. Previously accumulated
surpluses are to be used to complete
repayment on the outstanding por-
ton of the advances made by the
Federal Government In connection
with the acquisition of land in the
District, to establish additional re-
serves for future public works pro-
grams and to undertake additional
capital outlay programs. The esti-
mated surplus at the close of 1946
Is reserved entirely for repayment
in 1947 of advances made by the
Treasury during 1945 and 1916 for
the acquisition Of park, parkway
and playground land in the District.
The 1916 highway fund program,
while substantially in excess of cur
rent revenues, contemplates the use
of previously accumulated surpluses
to pay for the proposed capital out
lay items. Upon completion of the
expanded 1916 water fund program.
1t Is estimated that there will still
be reasonable balance to carry
over into the following fiscal year" +"
Anticipated Revenue.
On the subject of anticipated rev.
enues in the next fiscal year, the
budget message said:
General fund revenues amount
to nearly 80 per cent of the total
revenues of the District. These
revenues continue unusually large
because of the increase in popula-
ton, property values, and business
profits occasioned by the war. 1t
is expected that the 1946 revenues
will continue with little change, in
asmuch as the population has be-
come relatively stabilized as result
Of the decentralization of Federal
agencies and the leveling off of the
employment programs of the war
agencies.
"The largest item of revenue in
the general fund Is the real estate
property tax, amounting to approx
imately so per cent. The levy is
based on an estimated assessed
valuation of 81 800 ,00O, 900. taxed at
the rate of SITS per $780, The
valuation is $4,000, 600 higher than
that for the current year.
"Other important items in the
1946 general fund revenues are the
tangible personal tax, the corporate
income tax, the individual income
tax, the motor vehicle personally
tax, and public utility taxes, all of
which are expected to continue
their present high yields.
Highway Fund Affected.
Revenues for the highway fund
have been affected by certain war
related circumstances. Since 1943
the gas tax. which provides the bulk
of the revenues for the highway
fund, has produced only some 10
per cent of the amount realized in
1912. No further decline in 1914 and
no changes for l945 or 1946 are an
ticipated. Other sources Of revenue
for the highway fund, such as the
registration of motor vehicles and
issuance of drivers permits, are ex-
pected to approximate their pres
ent volume.
THE water fund revenue esti-
mates reflect little change in 1916
over 1945."
The District government would
make sizable gain in revenue an
nually under the terms of a new
clause written into the appropria-
ton language. This authorizes the
Commissioners to invest in Govern
ment securities at any time any por-
ton of District funds not needed to
meet current expenses during a fis-
cal year. In other words, District
funds on deposit at the Treasury
could be placed in short-term, in
terest- bearing investment, when not
needed to meet District obligations.
Officials said that in recent periods
such funds have amounted to as
much as s2O,OO0,000.
Other Features.
Other features noted in the new
budget are:
The proposed relief appropriation
is reduced by S129 900 from this
years 81 ,466 900, in spite of protests
heard recently in some quarters
over the 10 per cent cut made in
relief grants when it became ap-
parent current appropriat ations were
not sufficient for the remainder of
this fiscal year. However, it was
said this proposed outlay could be
reviewed before Congress acts on the
budget.
Contemplating the establishment
OF two mobile psychiatric units
under the Health Department, the
budget makes no provision for con-
tinutng next fiscal year of the sep
arate psychiatric services at Juvenile
Court, but it was said If the new
units were not fully operating in
time, this also could be reconsidered.
The budget for the District pound
master carries provision for fur
n1shing official uniforms for the dog
catchers. Apparently this Is to pro-
tect dog catchers from the wrath of
dog owners who otherwise might not
know who was taking their pets.
The budget omits any provision
Tor the Department Of Civilian De-
Tense, which has been inactivated
for the most part, but officials said
a supplemental budget would be sug-
gested later for the veterans serv-
Ire INIT