Evening star., 1946-02-26
School Budget
OF fS19,500,000
Under Scrutiny
Coffee Subcommittee
Also Seeks Sources
Of Added Revenue
By Don S. Worren

additional revenues uppermost in
mind, members of the Coffee sub.
committee Of the House today be-
gan a scrutiny of the s19.5O0 900
outlay proposed for the next fiscal
year for public schools.
The subcommittee had reviewed
nearly half of the school estimates
by the noon recess and Chairman
Coffee commented that, consider
ing the size Of the school estab-
lishment and the increasing num-
bers of pupils, the budget requests
do not seem to be out of line"
During the afternoon session the
group was expected to analyze bud.
get requests for school building
projects and other capital improve
ments.
Protests Double Shifts.
Among the morning witnesses
was DR.. Garnet c. Wilkinson, first
assistant superintendent of schools,
who protested that the double
shifts which now must be operated
IN some of the colored schools
places an added strain on the
teachers as well as being hardship
on pupils. Under such conditions,
he told the group, the pupils cannot
be given as good training as others.
Because of limited funds, it was
brought out, the Commissioners
and the Budget Bureau had cut
some Of the School Board requests
for colored teachers. Mr.. Coffee
said his committee recognized the
problems of overcrowding and un-
derstaff1ng.
Chairman Coffee praised the
competence and intimate knowl-
edge Of facts concerning the
schools of A. w. Heinhiller, assist
ant superintendent in charge of
budget, who submitted tables show
ing per pupil costs here in comparI.
son with those of other cities.
Earlier Requests Cut.
The school estimates, constitute
ing the largest single departmental
total and amounting to nearly one
fourth of the record-breaking 1s47
District budget of S81 500 900, were
brought down to that level only
after the Commissioners had cut
more than $2,400,O0O from school
officials requests.
The cuts, school officials say left
numerous problems of overcrowd-
ing and undertaking still unsolved.
AS the budget went to Congress,
however, it provided So, ,790, 900 for
school building projects, including
seven new schools, additions for two.
the remodeling of one, and funds
for plans for three others. In addi-
ton there would be nearly 100000
for land purchases.
Several of the numerous possible
sources of revenue, in addition to a
heavy boost in the Federal payment
now under study by Commission
ers' committee of officials and citi-
zens were brought into discussions
OF the Coffee subcommittee yester-
day.
Other Taxation Discussed.
In addition to the suggested sales
tax mentioned at the morning ses-
sion, the group later discussed pos
slbilities of placing a tax on the
transfer of off-sale liquor licenses
from one retailer to another. In.
terest in this was stepped up by
reports that, due to the present
limitation on the number of Glass
4" permits, as much as $50, 900 has
been paid for a transferred permit.
Adoption Of some form of gross
receipts taxes on businesses and pro-
fessional workers and considerable
boost in the amusement license tax
OF IS now paid by sports arenas, in
Guiding Griffith Stadium and the
Ullne Arena, also were discussed.
Chairman Coffee announced tho
subcommittee later was to receive
table showing expected revenue
possibilities Of all the tax proposals
being considered by the Commits
sloners' committee. This group is
expected to justify heavy increase
in the present 100000 Federal
payment.
Jelleff Urges Parole Employe.
Frank r. Jelleff, chairman of tha
District parole board, in outlining
the work of that agency, submitted
plea for making one of the board
members salaried employe, at a
suggested $500 a year. This was
coupled with a proposal that the
salaried officer also serve as execu-
tive secretary of the board.
Alan w. Payne, chairman of the
Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.
told the Coffee subcommittee he felt
there were relatively few violations
OF the liquor laws, considering the
total amount of business done. Prin-
c1pal violations, he said, were sales
to minors and sale of untaxed
bottled goods.
Mr.. Coffee reported that Mr..
Payne also had protested that per
capita liquor consumption here is
not as high as importation figures
would indicate because of several
factors. Among these he listed re-
sale OF District beverage imports to
nearby States, consumption by the
heavy flow of transients stopping
here temporarily and use at embas-
Sles and legations.
Recorder of Deeds Marshall L.
Shepard urged the appropriations
group to approve funds for employ
ment OF additional help he said was
essential to take care of documents
pertaining to returning war vet
Grams.
J, Thomas Kennedy, superintend-
ent OF weights, measures and mar
kets, found there was a so per cent
decrease in the past year in short
sales and other gouging practices.
Chairman Coffee reported. Mr..
kennedy attributed this to IAN in
willingness" on the part of
storekeepers to uphold regulations,
and to increased District inspection
work.