Evening star., 1947-10-09

should be consolidated wherever
possible in the interest of economy
he added.
Harry N. Stull of the National
Home ard Property Owners Founda-
ton, said the only way to finance a
long-range capital improvement
plan is to borrow necessary funds
from the Federal Government. He
called the budget estimates before
the Commissioners a "$144, ,000, 600
monstrosity."
There was great merit in the
suggestion that sales tax should
replace the local income tax, Mr.
Stull added.
Garrett Bethel of the Washing
ton Real Estate Board said his Or
ganization thought the Commission
ers should draw up a budget based
on absolute essentials and should
not plan new developments which
would only increase taxes"
Welfare Funds Called Vital.
The lack of funds this year Tor
public welfare is causing untold
suffering" in the District, according
to the testimony of Manuel Kauf-
man Of the American Association OF
Social Workers. He added the We'll
fare Boards request for funds tol
l949 was much too conservative.
To-day in the District 1900 fam
lilies are in extreme emergency" Mr.
Kaufman said.
A long list of requested approprl-
ationS was supplied the Commis-
sioners by Mrs. Oscar Kuldell
speaking for the Progressive Citi-
zens' Association of Georgetown
These included a recommendation
that $98,365 be appropriated to COM
plete planned improvements at
Western High School.
Mrs. Kuldell also Endorsed budget
requests of the Board of Education.
Mrs. Jennie E. Clarke of the
Citizens Association
said the 1949 budget should include
an appropriation for library to be
built on the Missouri avenue site of
the Emory estate.
Sales Tax Opposed.
Jerome B. Mckee spoke for the
Federation of Businessmen Asso-
Citations as well as for the District
Department of the American Le-
gion. Both groups, he said, recon-
mend an economy budget and op-
pose the proposed sales tax.
Mr. Mckee viewed with alarm the
mounting costs of municipal opera
ton here and asked: rs the city
fast becoming a socialized city?"
A similar view was expressed by
Mrs. Frank Sartwell, president of
the Metropolis View Citizens As
sociation.
The need for more spending on
public assistance was urged by Mrs
George Tobias of the American AS
sociation of Medical and Social
Workers, who asked the Commits
sioners to weigh carefully the need
of improved health for our needy
citizens"
The Rhode Island Citizens Asso-
citation, represented by w. A. Eisen-
hart, recorded its view that large
appropriation increases sought for
District hospitals, public health
public welfare and schools should
be granted as nearly as possible.
Economy Urged.
Milton Kronheim of the firm of
Milton Kronheim & Son, Inc, was
one Of those urging economy. He
said there should be "a reduction in
our budget and not an increase, ;
suggesting that department esti-
mates for 1949 should be sent back
to department heads with instruc-
tons to submit new estimates
within the bounds of reason"
C. d. Wagner put the Benning
Citizens Association on record as
supportings the economy stand of
the Federation of Citizens Associa-
lions.
Mrs. w. w. Coblentz of the Con-
nectlcut Avenue Community Lii
brary asked that the Cleveland Park
branch library be built as soon as
possible.
She urged the necessity for pro-
viding a healthful outlet for chill
dren in that area, while Mrs. Arliss
A. Davis of the River Terrace Citi-
zens' Association made the same
point in complaining OF inadequate
playground facilities in the River
Terrace section.