Evening star., 1946-04-07
DC. HeadsSeek
Senate Boost in
Reduced Budget
Restoration Of Half
Of House Slash Is
Likely to Be Asked
By Don 5. Worren

pt IUH ,. VoTFSn
District officials indicated yes
terday they will seek restoration
to the l947 municipal appropri-
alton bill of a large portion Of
the almost 100000 cut out Of
the s81 sos, 900 budget by the
House.
A beavy cut had been anticipated,
in view of the revenue situation,
but the size of the House reduction
was said to have been rather stag
gering to the Commissioners and
more so to affected department
chiefs
The s72, ,585 900 budget, passed
Thursday by the House, was re-
ported yesterday to the Senate and
referred to its Appropriations Com
mittee. Chairman O'Mahoney sub
committee now is awaiting a formal
report from the Commissioners as to
changes they recommend for the
House bill. This is expected to be
filed tomorrow or Tuesday. One
source said last night it is likely
they will ask restoration of perhaps
half of the reduction.
1t also appeared likely that the
issue over the size of the Federal
payment may be raised Lack Of
action on this and proposed In
creased District tax revenues were
among reasons why the Coffee Sub
committee of the House Appropria-
tions Committee had recommended
the Unexpectedly deep cut in the
budget.
Senator OMahoney said yesterday
there should be a substantial in
crease" in the S6,0000O0 Federal
payment, but withheld development
of plans until he has time to consult
with his subcommittee.
/ Federal Pay Formula Urged.
/ Three expert Investigators for the
O'Mahoney subcommittee last year
poposed the adoption of a fomula
for annual adjustment of the Fed
eral payment which would be based
on the ratio of tax-exempt Federal
land holdings here to the total land
area. One of the proposals would
result in virtual doubling of the
, Federal payment in the next fiscal
year. Another would result in
lesser increase.
Since the formula would involve
new substantive law, it is said,
: temporary measure may be consid-
cred to meet the Districts revenue
problem in the fiscal year beginning
July l.
;. The financial problem was in
creased somewhat yesterday when it
was revealed President Truman had
forwarded to the Senate a Budget
Bureau proposal for a supplemental
appropriation for this year totaline
S575, 900 for the District Sewer and
Water Divisions.
OF the requested total, which
would be available throughout the
next fiscal year and the remainder
of this year, 100000 would be for
extensions and improvements to
District sewers.
An additional 100000 would be
for capital Improvements to the
Water Division, plus $4,000 for its
operating expenses.
Adoption of sales tax here was
recommended again yesterday BY
Chairman Bilbo of the Senate Dis
trict Committee when interviewed
as to his views on the District s
!. financial situation
), Supports Sales Tax.
}, AS the District legislative COM
mittee of the Senate, this committee,
: 1t was said, would be in charge of
) any bill to change the substantive
!, law regarding the size of the Fed
eral payment. Chairman Bilbo In
. the past has supported moves to
increase the Federal payment.
Back in those awful depression
, years from 1929 through 1885," he
, said, my State got in bad financial
: shape. AS governor, I recommended
: adoption of 2 per cent sales tax.
: In my last year they finally gave
me one with but one-quarter of 1
per cent. but it paved the way and
! later the State adopted per cent
! tax. The State has been In fine
! shape ever since.
: Now, if you could get such a tax
v here it would permit tax on all
I transients and would prove an an
f swer to your problems" He main
v tanned that transients and tempo
= rary residents should be required
to help pay for the facilities and
lseryiceS they enjoy here