Evening star., 1949-09-20
Nicely
Continued From First Page.

increase would include continua-
ton OF the present temporary l
cent increase and the addition of
a second cent. which would raise
the total to cents a gallon.
MIR. Striner said that with the
present tax load the squeeze now
is on" and declared a decline In
business has begun and that busi-
ness failures are on the increase.
Mr.. Striner recommended also
the establishment of a city de-
partment of efficiency to check on
the operations of city divisions
and to search for means of econ
omy and elimination of waste.
Higher Retirement Pay Urged.
George d. Riley. member of
the National Legislative Commit
tee OF the American Federation
OF Labor, urged the creation of a
department OF labor in the city
government. He also suggested
that the effects of the retroactive
pay raise for city employees should
be extended to retired police, fire.
men and school teachers.
Mr.. Siddons suggested a study
OF the 1947 blueprint for city i'm
provement which had been pre-
pared after a year of work by a
Citizens Planning Committee, or
ganized by the Engineer Commits
sioner. This proposed program of
more than $l00,o00,o0O would be
spread over 10 years.
The trade body spokesman also
called attention to the school sur
Vey report OF DR.. George D. Stray
er. He said this covers school
needs here which are of a greater
magnitude and are probably more
serious than those of any other
municipal government service, u
He said his group did not fully
support all the Strayer recon-
mendations but that the report
deserved careful examination.
On the city's financial situation
MIR. Siddon said it was "unthink-
able" than any additional taxes
would be levied against the Dis
trict in the next few years. He
said:
Now that the sales tax, ciga-
rette tax and increased alcoholic
beverage taxes have been enacted
and the real estate tax again
raised. we are satisfied as a re-
suit OF studies in our own orpani-
zation. and after examination OF
statistics Of responsible agencies
tnat the District resident is now
paying just about every tax which
is levied on the resident of any
otner jurisdiction in the United
states, at fairly comparable rates
with those assessed against resi-
cents OF other Jurisdictions"
treasury Loan Favored.
Mr. Siddons said a fair amount
OF money would be available in the
next few years for permanent i'm
provements but he added it was
clear that the required school
building program alone cannot be
completed in time to be of any
value If it is put on a cash basis
therefore. he said, the trade
oody was suggesting either that
Congress authorize a Treasury
loan to be repaid over a period
OF years. or that Congress enact
legislation under which the United
states would pay q fairer share
OF District expenses.
AS to the Federal payment he
agreed it was highly debatabIe
exactly what the Federal share
should be and said the best an
proach seemed to be the formulas
proposed in recent years by the
late Senator Overton of Louisiana
and by Senator O'Mahoney, Dem
ocrat. Of Wyoming.
He called the Treasury loan "a
reasonable proposal" and reminded
the District Committee such q
principle had been set up for the
acquisition Of park lands unde,
the Capper-Cramton Act.
For the League of Women Vot.
ers. Mrs. McClintock spoke strong.
ly for adoption of local home rule
legislation. She also called for a
formula to increase the Fedora,
payment, said a Federal loan
might relieve the need for part