Evening star., 1947-06-17
Hearings
On DC. Budget
Open Thursday
Needs Tremendous,
Horun Suys;; Insists
On Sales Tax

washington taxpayers will b
heard at Congressional hearings
on the ls4s budget at session be-
ginning at 10 am. Thursday.
Z Representative Koran, Republic
can, OF Washington. chairman Of
the House subcommittee writing the
new supply bill. said all witnesses
would be required to submit digests
or copies of their statements in
writing in advance. The session is
to be held either in the main Ap-
propriations Committee hearing
room or the House caucus room.
Before the open session for the
public, Mr.. Horan plans to issue .
statement outlining the 'tremen-
dous needs" Of the city developed at
the executive hearings. Continuing
his campaign for a general sales
tax--one that would have few ar
ticles exempted-he told reporters
today: IT feel haven't had the sup
port I think should have had
from the newspapers and the people
generally"
Needs Called Tremendous.
I'VE can't meet our basic needs
without more ample revenue he
said, alluding to the House-passed
SIS, SOC, 900 revenue bill now await
ing Senate action.
The needs are tremendous and
there will be . hue and cry from
the people Of the District In the end
II more revenue Is not provided"
One estimate Is that the sug-
gested sales tax alone would produce
close to $4,000, 900.
The Appropriations Subcommittee
chairman also had before him plea
OF Traffic Director George e. Keneipp
who is seeking congressional aid in
his move to put brakes on parking
violations but to speed up issuance of
driving permits, auto tags and
titles to impatient applicants.
Mr.. Keneipp displayed a whole new
series of simplified and standardized
traffic signs to the subcommittee
yesterday. They are intended ulti-
mately to replace the present multi
tude of signs that are largely
illegible and often conflicting, the
group was told
$2S5,0O0 Estimated Cost.
How fast they are put up will
depend on funds. Mr. Keneipp esti-
mated the whole replacement pro-
gram-as yet approved only in prin-
ciple by the Commissioners-would
costabout $685. The budget re-
quest for the year beginning July
was for $23, 900. An additional $34,-
600 would be needed next year, he
said, II Congress wishes to adopt q
f1ve-year program.
Meanwhile, Chairman Koran was
on record as demanding new esti-
mates Of the costs involved in the
transfer of control of the District
fire alarm system from the Electrical
Division to the Fire Department.
After long debate among munich
pal officers, the change was effected
early this year. Herbert A. Friede.
former head of the alarm. system,
was given another electrical post
when Fire Chief Clement Murphy
assumed control of the fire Dispatch
ing system.
The subject was revived on Capt.
tai Hill yesterday when Chairman
Horan announced he was calling on
the Commissioners for new outline
OF the operations costs.
Mr.. Horan said his staff had made
preliminary cost estimates indicat-
ing that Fire Department control of
the alarm system would cost about
$4,000 more a year than under
Electrical Department management.
If 1t Is established that Fire De-
partment control is more expensive,
Mr.. Horan said. his subcommittee
may ask the Commissioners to re-
store Electrical Division control.
Mr.. Koran said today the Com
missioners, who ordered the transfer
of control over the fire alarm system,
should be able to clarity the cost
figures.
One of his aides said It was
probable the subcommittee would call
both Fire Chief Murphy and Mr..
Friede to the stand If needed to
round out the inquiry.