Evening star., 1948-01-21

For better or worse, it is picture
ican democracy.
Civic spokesmen may preser
but the budget (currently exceeding
$1O1 900, ,Oo0) is framed by appointed
Commissioners. After period of
secrecy as to totals and details, it
is then reviewed by congressional
committees, often changed in major
degrees and finally enacted by Con-
gress. The committees grant hear
ings, some of them executive, to
officials and interested citizens.
The Washington resident has only
the right of petition as to what
his city taxes shall be-with local
wishes often disregarded.
This picture would be modified II
Congress enacted the Auchincloss-
Ball measure granting limited self
rule to the District Study shows,
however, it would be definitely
restrained self-rule.
Checks Still With Congress.
Congress still would hold the
check reins, for use whenever neces-
sary or desired, with special empha-
sis on tax measures and any pro-
posals for bonded idebtedness-
which would influence how much
the District could spend. The most
fundamental difference would be
that the resident and taxpayer at
last would be accepted as partners
in the corporation.
The District, through its elected
city council, would plan its own ex-
penditure programs after hearings
and full publicity of the requests of
the manager and his department
chiefs. The councils budget would
be sent to Capitol Hill to be re-
viewed by the proposed Joint Dis
trict Committee, which might rec
ommc decreases, but the budget
would not be subject to congress
sional or presidential veto.
The council also would plan and
propose tax legislation, this in all
cases to be subject to veto by either
house of Congress or by the Presi-
dent. Tax legislative proposals Of
the council also might be referred to
the vote of the people, in referen-
dunn, or the voters might initiate
proposed changes In revenue meas
ures by use of the initiative ma
chinery. These would be subject to
action by Congress.
n~r~~.{xu Dad Tacun~
Under certain limits, the council
could make short-term loans against
anticipated tax revenues to meet
fund needs that arose before major
tax collections were received. There
could be long-term bond issues for
capital Improvements, but only
under specific reservations and with
approval by three-fourths vote in
the council, majority of the voters
participating in referendum. Even
then, the bond proposal could be
vetoed by the House, the Senate or
the President.
Even SO, sponsors say the result
definitely would be a new measure
of local choice as to city budgeting
and finance. They believe there are
exacting requirements that would
protect Federal and taxpayer inter-
ests and keep District finance on q
safe plane.
The plan also presents a fixed
formula for measuning the size OF
the Federal payment toward Ma
tional Capital costs. Under this, the
United States share would be
gauged, with some additions and
subtractons. by multiplying the val
uations of Federal property holdings
here by 87.5 per cent of the District
realty tax rate. officials estimate
this formula, on the present basis
would call for payment somewhat
but not greatly above the present
$12, 900 900 Federal payment.
Expansive Financial Details.
The proposed financial plan is
spelled out in detail, running
through many pages of the big bill
Aside from budget-making and tax
proposals, it deals with bonding OF
finance officials, auditing controls
handling of receipts, procurement OF
Government materials and specifies
many details as to handling Of rev.
enues, tax anticipation notes and
other finance matters.
The budget procedure would start
with the department chiefs sub
mitting fund requests to the city
manager. They would be required
to submit any estimated revenues
from their services along with
spending proposals. The manager
would hold hearings for the agency
executives and would revise theii
requests as he found necessary. The
managers budget plan would 60 te
the council at its first session in
February.
The city manager would be given
general responsibility to draft the
proposed budget for the council and
public consideration. II, however
he made any changes in those