Evening star., 1952-08-04
D. c. Budget


DC. Budget
CONTINUED From First Page0
fact that the Districts financial
problem is primarily the made
Iquacy Of the Federal payment.
which has shrunk from SO per
cent to 40 per cent. until it is now
less than 8 per cent Of the. general
fund budget" ;S~s4:s&fs 81
Taken OF Tax Rolls.
He cited the fact that more
than So per cent Of the taxable
area in the city has been removed
from the tax rolls. He added:
IF Congress merely paid to the
District a sum in lieu Of taxes.
equal to the amount which would
be collected on the assessed value
on our books at current rates, the
annual payment to the general
fund would be approximately $18
million rather than the $40 mil
lion we received this year.
1--WE think the time has arrived
when all people of Washington,
under the leadership of the Com
missioners, should plan and exc
cute a vigorous effort to secure
Legislation and an appropriation
which will more nearly discharge
the obligation Of the United States
to this. its Capital City"
Program Being Analysed.
Mr.. Groom pointed out that the
Citizens Committee on Public
Works is in the midst of analyzing
a $307 million capital improve
ment program for the city. He
commented:
"Our committees and research
staff have amassed sufficient in
formation on the subject to fore
cast fairly conclusive1y that a
public works program approx
mating its magnitude will be
necessary If we are to continue to
develop and operate Washington
in manner betting the Nations
Capital" l
Mr.. Groom said the tax rates here
are comparable with or higher
than in most cities. If the Federal
government does not pay it's
proper share Of the city's ex-
|penses, then the only source of
additional revenue to finance it's
needs would be increased taxes.
Tax Advantage in Moving.
"We believe that increases in
the existing tax rates in the Dis
trict will seriously damage the
economy Of this city by accelerat-
ing the movement of business and
people beyond its jurisdiction, "
MIR. Groom said. He continued,
ALREADY it is advantageous tax
wise to some people and some
business houses to relocate in
Maryland and Virginia .. j..
ANY further substantial in
creases in the existing tax levies
in the District, particularly in
real estate rates, would provide an
important added incentive for
more people and more businesses
to move outside the District with
ian accompanying reduction in
District revenues"
Mr.. Groom said the business
health of the city demanded the
District government embark at
the earliest possible moment on
Ia program Of street Improvement
which will permit a freer flow of
traffic through the city. This is
particularly true of the downtown
area, he added.
improvements Urged.
A number Of other witnesses
also took issue with the Govern
Iment's low payment. They also
asked for a variety Of improve
ments in municipal services.
Other witnesses included:
Rufus s. Lusk. Washington
Taxpayers Association: TAX
payers have all the burden they
can carry. It is unthinkable that
further taxes should be imposed.
The Commissioners should direct
that all department heads trim
their estimates to conform with
the anticipated income"
Preston C. King, jr., District
Bar Associations, Mrs. Elizabeth
Cox, Women's Bar Association,
and Joel D. Blackwell, Washing
ton Bar Association: '"The $780,
600 increase asked by Municipal
Court is essential If the court isl
to keep its docket current. Most
of the increase is asked for addi-|
tional personnel such as clerks
and reporters. The volume Of
business at the court has In
creased substantially with little
increase in personnel"
Welfare Funds Stressed.
Mrs. Josephine Piccolo, District
Industrial Union Council: ..Ade-
quate appropriations are needed
by the public welfare depart
ment, particularly Tor public as
sistance to the needy. Assist
ance payments are below recon-
levels for minimum exist
ence and have failed to keep pace
with the rapid rise in the cost Of
living"
Ben segai. District industrial