Evening star., 1953-06-10
New Plan Cuts
Budget,
Holds Tax Line
Alexandra Council
Gets $6.8 Million
Proposal for 1884

Proposal for 49,
Three Alexandria councilmer
have come up with a revised
1953-54 budget proposal totaline
$6.8 million, which would re-
quire no new taxes or tax in.
creaSeS.
Mayor Marshall j. Beverley
Vice Mayor Leroy 8. Bendheim
and Councilman James M
Duncan, jr., presented Their
budget to other members of the
council at a meeting last night
and recommended its adoption
The council will have a special
meeting at 1880 pm. Friday to
take initial action on the 1853
81 budget.
The budget proposal of City
Manager Ira F. Willard totaled
$7.2 million and contemplated a
2 per cent general sales tax.
Merchants vigorously opposed
the sales tax and suggested that
q gross receipts tax on rentals
be substituted.
Substitute Offered.
To hold the budget within the
income of existing tax sources,
Mr.. Bendheim, Mr.. Beverley and
Mr.. Duncan would increase an
ticipated revenues for 1854 by
1927, 900 and would make re-
ductions in expenditures totaling
1922, 300. The increased revenue
and the reductions would give
them the necessary $3.50, 900 de-
crease in the budget necessary
to eliminate the proposed sales
tax.
Mr.. Bendheim, who read the
proposal, said the increased reve-
nue. was included with approval
Of the city finance officer and
was based on new collection rec
ordS available since Mr.. Willard
prepared his budget.
Reductions that would be made
in Mr.. Wizards budget recon-
mendations include: $4,000 in
health and welfare expenses,
$15,352 in various court expenses,
$19.140 in police and traffic con-
troll, $46,750 in the fire depart
ment, traffic control and fire pre-
vention; $13.360 in rescue squad,
various inspection services and
civilian defense: $4,000 in street
and sidewalk maintenance and
sanitation.
S1O5.OOO From Schools.
Also $15,SO5 in the city garage
and recreation; $105,0O0 from
schools; $4,000 from public
works. and $48, ,450 by eliminating
certain proposed new employees
or eliminating departmental SAL
ary increases proposed in addi-
ton to general salary boost for
NA OAOJ CLIplOycS'
Mr.. Bendheim said the $1O5,-
900 cut in the school budget was
recommended with approval of
School Supt:: T. C. Williams. He
added that it would not leopard
ize proposed teacher salary
increases.
He said the new budget plan
also would allow a general SAL
ary increase for all city employees
averaging 712 per cent. The new
budget also would retain $387 900
out of current revenues for cap
ital improvements in line with
Mr.. Wizards policy of putting
the city'S capital improvement
program on a pay as you go
basis as much as possible.
Fearful for Trade.
Mr.. Bendheim said that the
sales tax was not being junked
because it was considered a bad
revenue measure. He added:
I'm fact, we quite agree with
the Citizens Advisory Tax Com
mission that, from the stand
point of the tax base, it is per-
hapS the broadeSt tax that could
be imposed upon any community,
and we would have very little
hesitancy in voting for that tax
were it possible for the neighbor-
ing counties Of Arlington and
Fairfax to impose a similar tax
at the same time.
with q general business re-
cession already in evidence in
Alexandria, we are quite honestly
fearful that the imposition of
this tax will result in driving ad-
ditional business into the large
shopping centers of those coun-
ties to the detriment of Alex
andria merchants"
Mr.. Willard told the council
he would study the new budget
proposal and probably have some
comments before final action is
taken. The council plans to take
a final vote on the 1884 budget
at its meeting on June %.
BY a vote Of 4 to 2, the coun-
Gil last night turned down a
resolution requested by the Alex
andria Housing Authority, which
would have authorized another
46 units for the project.
An Original Plan.
Already. 148 units are under
construction in four blocks
alongside the new Parker Grey
High School.
The Housing Authority last
night wanted official instruc-
tionS from the city council tc
proceed with the development OF
another block, bounded by First
Patrick, Montgomery and North
Alfred streets.
This block is owned princi-
pally by Safeway Stores anc
Mutual Ice Co. The Housing
Authority included this block ir
its original plans three years
ago, when it contemplated con-
struction of a 194-unit project
in the area.
But Safeway Stores and Mu-
tual Ice did not want their land
condemned. They went to court