Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-05-28

pay increases for flremen and I
The City Council, working
Heatwole's proposed fiscal outlay
Of the council chamber and
found an overriding interest in
the school system.
Most Of the citizens testifying
were there to demand restora-
ton Of q. projected cut Of $104.-
900 In next years budget
mainly affecting teacher pay.
The point revolves around the
school system request for $4.-
47o.607, which has been reduced
by the city manager to $4.375.-
900. Unless the requested amount
Is authorized, the city's con-
tribution from the Federal Gov
eminent because Alexandria is
Q Federally impacted area) will
be correspondingly reduced. The
Federal Government contributes
money to cities like Alexandria
where an infiuex of Government
workers increases the school
population to q marked degree.
Under the requested appropria-
ton, the Federal contribution
would be $4,000. School on
cials. say they viii lose 100000
for teachers salaries unless the
full amount Is appropriated.
Doubts About Budget
Although most witnesses took
the floor on behalf Of school
appropriation, the Alexandria
League Of Women Voters made
a strong plea for simplification
of the city's budgetary procedure.
Mrs. John G. Doud, league presi-
dent, said the city managers In
dicated budget was undoubtedly
valuable to the City Council Is
a forecast Of Alexandria's In
creased financial needs but ats
value to responsible citizens APP
pears to be doubtful"
She said she wonders If citi-
zens win ever be willing to
finance q budget for which the
city manager Is unable to make
firm estimates of city income; If
they win ever be vitality inter-
ested in any budget which ig-
nores items formally requested
by them, and II citizens can be
expected to consider seriously
two budgets every year-one lin
dicated" and one recon-
ended"
Last year at this time" Mrs.
Doud said, 1.-The league voiced
the opinion that the city's total
needs should be made known
first, the budget adopted next
and tax rates set last. Again
this year we ind ourselves con-
sidering q proposed budget with
predetermined limitations on
tax revenues to finance the nrst
half-year. Moreover. we have
no crystal ball to tell US what
tax rates win be adopted TO pro-
vide revenue for the last half
year Of this proposed budget"
DeadIine Il June "a
Mrs. Doud said the league
urges the City Council to take
steps to make the budget pro-
cedure more logical and more
easily understood.
Under the law, the deadline
for adoption Of Alexandria's
budget is June ~. Mayor Leroy
Bendheim told the citizens the
budget must appear In ordinance
form at the next meeting Of the
City Council. He added they
would have another chance to
urge changes or additions before
the governing body takes final
action.
This is what witnesses had to
say about city budget. for which
the tax rate was raised earlier
this year by so cents on personal
property:
Glenn u. Richard, president Of
Alexandria Hospital-The fig-
ures make it evident that 1t is
going to be absolutely necessary
to curtail emergency services and
INDECENT care unless the City
Council help the hospital meet
its financial problems. We wish
to have our representatives meet
with the City Council on the
matter Of our charity load 50
that we can cut the cost Of our
charity losses.
Robert Land Of the George
Mason PTA-We ask full appro-
priation Of the operating ex-
penses requested by the school
board because II the budget Is