Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-03-26
Senate Expected to Move for Speedy Solution
To 1914 Million Deficit D. c. to Face in 1860
BY JAMES G. DEANE
Star stan Writer

Star stan Writer
Speedy Senate efforts to boil
ster the Districts deficit
threatened finances appeared
certain today, nudged by an
unusually strong showing Of
public concern.
Some 300 citizens, too many
for the scheduled hearing room.
so that the hearing had to be
moved, UNDERSIGNED the city's
budget woes before members
of the Senate Appropriations
Subcommittee last night.
Witnesses spoke up for a
long list Of school. health, well
fare and other budget items,
totaling some millions Of dol
lars, which were deleted from
the next fiscal years spending
estimates, either by the District
Commissioners or by the House.
The House last week approved
a budget of 1927 million, SOS
million under the city's Of
fetal request.
The five-hour session, eli
max Of three days Of hearings
for city officials. brought no
specific dollar promises from
the subcommittee chairman,
Senator Pastore, Democrat Of
Rhode Island.
Shows Sympathy
But Mr.. Pastore praised the
civic turnout, and he expressed
sympathy with a number of re-
quests. He also voiced hope,
earlier in the day. that the
city would be able to win more
than the $25 million in Federal
help voted in the House.
Committee sources said first
action will affect the supple
mental appropriation bill passed
by the House Tuesday. Another
round Of hearings. probably
soon after the imminent Easter
recess. will be necessary in this
connection. The House ap-
proved some $l.3 million less
in spending than the SIS mil
lion asked by city leaders. and
SIS million in supplementary
Federal payment funds. instead
of requested SO million.
The spending plans for the
new year starting in July will
then be acted on. Not until
then will city leaders know def
nitely what sort of deficit pic
ture lies ahead. and what new
revenue steps NAV be required.
/ These could include early moves
for tax increases, but so far
there has been no commitment
from the Commissioners on this
score.
New Debt Analysis
Commissioner Robert E. Nc
Laughlin late yesterday made
available a new fiscal analysis
which showed the city facing a
deficit of some S2.4 million by
June 30 and a cumulative deficit /
of more than $9.4 million by
June 80. 1860. on the basis of
the pending appropriation bills
as they now stand. But these
figures are subject to revision
as a result of Senate action.
Budget officers suggested five
alternatives for meeting the
projected deficits. These we're
seeking a higher Federal pay
ment. increasing the city's pub
lie works borrowing. speeding
the release of unspent funds
not needed for the purposes
originally intended, cutting ex-
penditures or increasing taxes.
Commissioner David B. Kar-
rick said there has been no
chance to study any Of these
possibilities yet.
About 81 million could be
realized from unspent funds.
officials said.
/ Senator Pastore gave cor
dial reception to the more than
so witnesses and their fire.
quently applauding supporters
who turned out for last nights
public session.
Lunch Switch Protested
Mrs. c. Rhodes Cox, president
Of the District Congress of Par
ents and Teachers, led a string
Of parents urging additions to
the school budget. Mrs. Cox
particularly objected to a House
switching of $266,000 from edu-
cational purposes to support
free lunches for needy children.
She said the children should
be helped but that it should
be done without the cut else
where. She also complained that
the school budget as sent to
Congress reflects the need to
present a balanced budget that
will keep Congress calm and