Evening star., 1949-03-20
Cut in bui|dinq
TO Meet Deficit
Seen by Fowler
15-Cent Realty Raise
Alternative to Slash
In Construction Plans
MOTHERS ON RELIEF hard hit
by cuts in 1850 D. c. budget.
Page All.
By Jerry O'Leory, Jr.

oy Jerry OLeory, Jr.
The s2.5oo,o0o budget deficit
facing the District in fiscal 1850
will have to be met by killing that
amount of the city's new con-
struction program. Budget OFF,
Ger Walter L. Fowler said last
night.
The deficit became an emer-
gency matter last week when
the House killed by narrow mar
gin the per cent retail sales
tax that city officials had banked
on to balance the budget.
The Commissioners alternative
to the construction cutback Is
to raise the real estate tax Is
cents-from the present So per
$100 assessed valuation to $2.15.
Tax Assessor Edward A. Dent ex-
planned a 15-cent real estate tax
boost. which the Commissioners
must arbitrarily impose if no new
revenues are provided, would bring
in 100000.
Would Delay Projects.
Mr.. Fowler said the cutback
would have to be made on projects
for which authorization exists but
for which no contracts have been
let. If the Commissioners are
forced to pare down the city's
building program. number of
important projects will be delayed
for more than year.
Mr.. Fowler said no decision has
been made on the specific items
which would be stricken from the
budget. if that becomes necessary.
but offered this list of projects
eligible for the economy knife:
The $2,000,000 proposed pedi-
atrics and crippled children's
building at Gallinger Hospital.
The proposed new laboratory
building at Gallinger for which
the Commissioners asked 5000
in the 1850 budget.
The $825.ooo proposed new "a
room Oxon Run School at Third
street and Mississippi avenue Sc.
| A proposed dormitory and apart
ment building for the medical
staff at the District Training
School. Laurel, Md. for which
$4,000 was sought in the 1850
budget.
Another dornitory building for
employees at the Glenn Dale Sana-
torium.
S7,OOO,000 For Completions.
District officials are frankly de-
spondent at the prospect OF max
ing further economy cuts into the
already drastically reduced 1850
budget. The Commissioners last
summer ordered their department
heads to submit budget estimates
containing no new building con-
struction projects.
The 1850 budget, however, does
contain a total of about $7,000,O00
for completion of projects for
which contract authorization was
granted in previous years. In ad-
dition to building construction
projects, Mr.. Fowler said he could
- if necessary - effect further
economies by cutting back the
sewer expansion and replacement
program.
The s99, 100000 budget for run
ming the District in fiscal 1850
thus is bare not only of money for
letting contracts for new con-
struction but practically void OF
funds for completing projects al
ready authorized and partially
financed.
Budget officials said they dare
not permit a contract be let un-
less there is enough money on
hand to make payments on a
month o-month basis.
Schools Furniture Assured.
The unbalanced budget. which
would go another $10.000,000 into
the red if the $3.50 pay raise is
granted District employees by
Congress, principally affects these
projects: Gallinger Hospital, the
Board of Education's school ex-
pansion program. the Policemen
and Firemen's Relief Fund, the
Public Welfare Departments pub
lie assistance and protective
agency services and the Sewer and
Sanitation Departments expan-
sion projects.
Meanwhile, earlier reports that
the Parkview School might have
to close because cuts in funds
would prevent its being furnished.
were found to be unwarranted.
The school, which has furniture
for only 200 pupils, has been as
signed to 900 colored students.
School officials said the situation
probably could be met with some
judicious shifting of furniture
supplies from around the city.