Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-07-15
Senators Deny
s. Million Of
D. {. Request
Payment Rejected
Despite $40 Million
Increase in Taxes
BY HAROLD b. ROGERS

Despite Congressional author
ization of a $23 million Federal
payment toward District govern
ment costs, the Senate Appropri-
ationS Committee yesterday re-
jected a plea to approve the
final SO million needed to COM
plete the Federal share.
The Senate group. in taking
this action. followed the House
in denying the SO million strongly
urged by the District Commits
Sioners as necessary to keep the
city out of = financial crisis.
Congress had authorized the
$23 million when it passed a rev.
enue bill last March in pack
age arrangement laying $40
million a year in new taxes on
District residents.
Unless Congress should reverse
the action of the House itself and
the Senate Appropriation Com
mittee and still vote the extra
50 million. the city taxpayers will
be faced with paying their share
Of the extra costs of the city
while the Government has re-
fused to carry out its promise for
$23 million.
Bare Bones Budget
Robert E. Mclaughlin. presi-
dent of the Board of Commits
sioners. said. when asked if the
city heads would ask Senators to
make a floor fight to restore
the SO million, that, I'VE ex-
pected the Senate committee to
restore some of the funds and
haven't had a chance to discuss
it further"
Mr.. Mclaughlin. speaking on
WWDC's Report to the People"
program last night, insisted the
District budget was a bare
bones budget.
He said Congress probably
would restore the Federal pay
ment cuts before increasing
taxes any further. He said the
commissioners may have to ask
for restoration of all or part
of the So million in January
when Congress returns.
Karrick Disappointed
Commissioner David B. Kar-
rick. weekending in Stockbrioge,
Mass. said he was very dis
appointed about the Senate
committees failure to restore
the So million-'or at least part
OF it Mr.. Karrick insisted it
was matter OF fair play and
justice" to grant the Federal
payment increase in view of 81
multaneous boosts of $40 million
a year in local taxes.
On the other hand. Mr.. Kar-
rick added, ne was very glad
about the items restored" by the
Senate committee from among
those cut by the House. "ESpec-
tally" he said, THE hospital
items" Mr.. Karrick is respon-
sible for administration of the
District Health Department and
its hospitals.
Engineer Commissioner Tho
mas A. Lane said the "reStora-
tions are all desirable. l hope
they stand up in conference
He said the Commissioners
will talk to members of the
Senate District Committee to-
morrow about the possibility OF
putting back the So million in
Federal payment during Senate
floor debate. But, he added. Il
doubt they could make a sue
cesSful fight on the floor"
Got New Estimates
He noted that the Senate COM
mittee, acting later than the
House. had been given new esti-
mates of District revenues high
er than those given the House.
Il suspect he said, that the
increase enabled the Senate to
make the reservations without
granting any increase in the
Federal payment. Ihope. though.
that they will be open minded
on the Federal payment if es-
sential contingencies come up
later in the year
The District Commissioners
asked for the full amount from
500 PAYMENT paoo A