Evening star., 1952-09-29


raising methods used by the
different communities for sup
porting the activities of their
water departments.
However, in an exhibit fur
nished by the Subcommittee it
appears that with a Is per cent
increase in water rates, WASH
ington would not compare un-
favorably with other represen-
tative cities in the United
States. It's rates would be in
the middle to higher brackets.
but not excessive.
We believe, therefore, that an
increase in water rates should be
put through which would elm
mate the item of $50, 3,487, 900
from the recommended pro-
gram, leaving a balance of $685.
665, 900 as the needed capital
funds for the balance of the
six-year improvement program.
If $120 million during the six
year period can be counted on
as mentioned above, there
would remain the sum of $685.
665, 900 to be provided to COM
plete the program.
Parking Study Urged.
The subcommitte on Motor
Vehicle Parking recommends a
program to cost between $50
million and $35 million. They
further recommend that study
be made Of the so-called Pitts
burgh plan which involves a
parking authority which pro-
vides the necessary funds
through the sale of tax exempt
revenue bonds.
The subcommittee also points
out that "the necessary funds
may be obtained by a tax free
loan from the Congress-" It ap-
pears to the Finance Subcom-
mittee that the recommended
tions of the Motor Vehicle Park
ing Subcommittee largely hinge
on the willingness of Congress to
create such a parking authority
with the right to issue its own
tax exempt revenue bonds
which would bring about a self
liquidating project.
Referring back to the $685.
665, 1000 necessary to complete
the program as explained above,
it is apparent that these funds
can come only from some one or
more of the following sources:
l. Increased taxes. service
charges. fees, etc.
2. The sale of tax exempt
bonds by the District Of Column
bia to the public.
8. A higher annual payment
by the Congress to the District
government.
4. Loans to the District Gov
ernment by the Congress.
/. TAXES, CHARGES, FEES,
ETC.
This committee feels that
taxes in the District of Colum-
bia are presently high enough.
The income tax compares favor
ably with those imposed by
neighboring States and any fur
ther increase would tend to drive
citizens and business out of the
District of Columbia.
A report supplied this Com
mittee by 1t. Col. Harry F. Han
sen, Assistant Engineer Commis-
sioner. containing up-to-date
information relative to COM
parsons of real estate taxes paid
in the District Of Columbia and
adjacent Maryland and Virgin
la counties dated July %, 1852,
and compiled by the Assessors
Office. states:
The foregoing data leads to
but one conclusion and that is
that upon completion Of the
Maryland reassessment, the to-
tai taxes on comparable prop
critics in the District of Colum-
bia and Montgomery County will
be about equal, and that those
areas not reached by the Mont
goinery reaSseSsment will remain
25R to 800 lower than COM
parable District Of Columbia
properties"
It should be pointed out that
Montgomery County has quin-
quennial assessment of real es-
tate, |. e., about one-fifth of the
county is reassessed each year.
That portion Of the county adj
jacent to Northwest D. c. is
being reassessed this year to
become effective for 1858.
In Arlington County the re-
port states: Based upon the
foregoing data and other infor-
nation gained IN our study, it
Is our opinion that the Arlifg-
ES