Evening star., 1950-01-01
Sales Tax Led Gains
Attained by District
Government in 'H

TAX leu LQe llSL OF lnuuenCldl
changes in the administration of
the District government during
1949.
The new revenue law clears the
way for a record breaking city
budget. expected to total about
$118, 100000 next fiscal year, which
will allow for long-awaited i'm
provements.
With December returns not due
until January 20. the 2 per cent
sales levy has produced about $4,-
10000 since it went in effect Au-
gust /.
Besides the sales tax. a cent-a-
pack levy was imposed on ciga-
rettes and the tax on liquor went
up so per cent and on beer 100 per
cent. In addition, real estate taxes
rose from 50 to $2.15 per 500
value.
Pay Raise Made Good.
The increased revenue made 1t
possible for District employees to
get the $3.50 pay raise granted
Federal workers, retroactive for a
year.
The year saw completion of the
new Whitehurst Freeway, the K
street overpass, and streetcars be-
gan travelling under the new Du-
pont Circle underpass. The Du-
pont Circle project will be opened
to vehicle traffic and two other
major highway construction pro-
jects are expected to be finished
early this year. e
The South Capitol Street Bridge
Is scheduled to open JANUARY IL
and the new Highway Bridge
about March /.
Other long awaited construction
Jobs finished during 1949 include
the Receiving Home for Children
on Mt. Olivet road and the 81 $685.
400 Kelly-Miller Junior High
School for colored children.
Washington's gas bills went up
an average of 6.14 per cent, and
the Public Utilities Commission
still had under consideration. af-
ter completing lengthy public
hearings, a proposed increase In
telephone rates.
Transit Radio Approved.
The PUG year was marked by
one OF It's most controversial pub
lie hearings-the one on transit
radios. At the end. the commits
sion found no reason for ordering
q stop to music-as-you-ride.
Noting that growing unification
Of the Washington Metropolitan
Area, the District PUG, the Vir-
ginia State Corporation Commis-
sion and the Maryland Public
Service Commission announced the
initiation of a study on the pos
sibility of establishing uniform
gas rates in the area.
District PUG Chairman James
H. Flanagan was confirmed for
his third three-year term and
Commission Member James W.
Lauderdale resigned, leaving an
untitled vacancy.
Prominent among the new regu-
lations which went in effect dur
ing the year were stricter rules
governing operation of the Dis
trict's small loan companies,
adopted after three years OF CAM
paigning. Behind the new. regu-
lations was the District Bar As
sociation's Small Loan Committee,
headed by Martin F. O'Donoghue.
DR.. George c. Rutland retired
as District Health Officer after a
15-year term, and was succeeded
in the post by DR.. Daniel L. Seek
niger. sa@ [Ea@
The stormy three-year career
Of Clement Murphy as chief of
the District Fire Department end
ed with his retirement. Joseph A..
Mayhem was appointed to succeed
him.
Months of feuding in the Fire
Department had led earlier to
trial of Chief Murphy before a
special three-man board on nine
counts charging he demoralized
the force. He was acquitted Of all
counts.
DR.. Alvin r.. Sweeney resigned
after four years as superintendent
Of Gallinger Hospital and was sue
L. - - SA-L