Evening star., 1949-10-18

ability, since he said, such courses
all over the country generally are
losing money and Washington is
one of the few cities where they
show a profit.
Police scout cars and cruisers
should be operated on a one-man
basis under conditions that would
not affect the city's security ma
terially. This. he said. would re-
suit in an estimated annual saw
ing of about 900.
The police and flremen's relief
fund, for which a $500.000 in
crease is asked next year, should
be continued in status quo for
present members of both forces,
and an immediate study should be
undertaken toward placing the
fund on a sound actuarial basis
with regard to all future men
hired.
The Federal Government. by
assuming half the $7,000,000-a-
year cost of maintaining patients
at st. Elizabeths Hospital in view
of the large nonresident popula-
ton Of the District, could save
the city more than $3,500,000.
Toll Bridges Suggested.
Steps should be taken to ex-
tend authority of the Commis-
sioners over functions of the
Board of Public Welfare, and care
should be exercised in the grant,
ing of any substantial increase in
the boards budget when condi-
tions here are unusually pros
porous.
A study should be undertaken
on the feasibility Of establishing
toll charges for motor traffic
across the various Potomac and
Anacostia River bridges.
Cost of lighting the streets
should be borne by the Highway
Fund from funds derived from
the gasoline tax.
Mr.. Lusk said the final budget
should be at a figure that would
permit a reduction in the real
estate tax rate from $2.15 to not
less than 50 per $100 value. and
the gasoline tax should be cut
down to three cents a gallon.
Mr.. Bauer stated the 1851
budget should not exceed $110,-
100000. and that II there is
balance at the end Of the year it
should be the basis for a reduc-
ton in the real property tax or
abolition Of the personal property
tax.
A statement of the Washington
Building Congress read by Charles
j. Harnett. chairman of the Per-
NIT Procedures Committee, urged
the granting of the $4,000 in
crease for the National Capital
Park and Planning Commission
over the 1850 budget of $84.700.
Large Permit Staff Sought.
The Building Congress also ad-
vocated addition of Is positions
requested by the Department of
Inspections for 1851, as the mini
mum number needed to get out
building permits in reasonable
time.
Other witnesses at the morning
session included: c.. Calvert
Bowie. Washington Real Estate
Beard; John K. Hoskins, Wash
ington Housing Association; Yer
ONE B. Mckee, acting president
Of the Federation Of Business
mems Associations; Mrs. John c.
McClintock, president of the
League of Women Voters of the
District; Washington I. Cleveland,
District manager of the American
Automobile Association; Mrs.
Franklin G.. Sartwell, Metropolis
View Citizens Association: Roger
Robb. Juvenile Court Advisory
Committee; Michael Lane, presi-
dent of the Capitol Hill Lions
Club; DR.. Benjamin Striner,
chairman Of the health committee
OF the Federation Of Citizens As
sociation: A. Julian Brylawski,
chairman Of the education COM
mittee Of the Commissioners
Traffic Advisory Board. and Miss
Eta L. Taggart, president of the
Washingtonians, Inc.