Evening star., 1947-06-03
Sales Tax UrQed
By Horan 10 Aid
School Building
House Group Head
Calls D. c. Budget
Woy Out of Line

A general sales tax TO finance q
greatly expanded school construc-
tion program is recommended by
Chairman Horan of the House SUBJ
committee in charge of the 1948 Dis
trict appropriations.
If the financing can be found, he
indicated late yesterday, following a
protracted executive session of his
subcommittee on school estimates,
he will recommend a heavy increase
in outlays for school building.
Final judgment is being with
held by his group, Mr.. Horan said,
to await some more definite infor-
nation on what Congress might do
on the revenue side of the picture.
Budget away Out of Joint"
mo one wants to do any unneces-
sary construction work now he
said, referring to high and fuctuat-
ing construction costs. "This in
cludes officials. the Commissioners
and our subcommittee. But some
improvements are mandatory now.
THE District budget now is away
out of joint, but is it wise to hold off
school construction? There are 80
schools where pupil instruction is
on part-time basis. Obviously.
this partial instruction can't be
cured without construction of addi--
tional school facilities.
The Commissioners and the
Budget Bureau had recommended
an outlay of only, $2,123, 900 for ex-
pansion of the school system in the
fiscal year beginning July l. Mr..
Horan indicated he felt, from the
testimony given by school authori-
ties, that real beginning must be
made on five-year program such
as they recommended. This would
call for at least $8,5o0, 900 for con-
struction, additions, furnishings and
sites in the next fiscal year.
Favors o,O00, 900 Fund.
A fund of $4,000, 900, MIR. Horan
said, would not be out of line.
The revised fund requests of the
schools, Mr. Horan said, call for
no less than % projects in new con-
struction or additions. These would
include 13 elementary buildings,
seven junior highs and three high
schools. Such program was re-
quested by school officials in their
original budget requests, before they
were pared down by the Commits
sionerS.
"It spells the need of general
sales tax-one that would permit
few items to be exempted" said Mr..
Horan. with the budget already so
far out of joint, sales tax seems
to me to be mandatory"
The Commissioners early this year
recommended per cent general
sales tax, estimated to bring in So
100000 ir additional revenue, as
key to their new tax plans. These
now are being whipped into shape
by the Fiscal subcommittee of the
House and Senate Districts Commit
tees.
Bates Is Opposed.
Representative Bates, Republican,
Of Massachusetts,, in charge of the
revenue plan for the House District
Committee, is opposed to a sales tax
and is seeking to find sufficient
revenues by other means.
Mr.. Horan suggested a bond issue
might be one alternative in the solu-
ton of the Districts financial head
ache. 1t is becoming increasingly
obvious, he said, that greatly ex-
panded financing must be found If
the District is to meet its budget
obligations.
Originally, school officials sought
a 1948 appropriation totaling $25,-
714,000. The Commissioners cut
this to $19,495 900, reducing the
amount for school construction and
sites from requested $500, 900 to
$2,123,000. None of these figures in
cluded funds for payment of the
anticipated teacher pay increase
bill, now awaiting final Congress
sional action.