Evening Star Newspaper, January 29, 1927, Page 9

$36,173.366 DISTRICT BUDGET TAX RATE STANDS .. REPORTED:; {Continued from First Page.) ©f $21,063,666 as the amount it will be mecessary to raise by taxes on real estate, tangible and intangible per- sonal property and on public utilities, banks, etc., to finance this budget. ‘The bill proposes that the Government shall contribute approximately two- fifths as much.” Tax Boost Predicted. In making the promisa of further appropriations for authorized build- ing projects, Mr. Funk said that these would mean an increase over the $1.50 tax rate, as follows: “A tax rate of $1.50 on real estate and tangible personal property, it has been indicated to the committes would suffice to meet the appropria tions embraced by this bill. The cur- rent rate is $1.80. Past experience, however, tells us that it will be ne essary to supplement the approp tions proposed in this bill on account of unforeseen demands, and it is quite probable that considerabie sums may have to be provided later in this ses sion or at the next session to carry out authorizations that have been or may be placed on the statute books. For example, a new police court building has been authorized; -also a new building for the recorder of deeds, a nurses’ home for the Colum bia Hospital and Lying-in Asylum and & new farmers’ market “To the extent that these and other matters are appropriated for it will be necessary to add to the figure of $1.50. In this connection it might be pointed out that it is estimated that the assessed value of real estate 1928 will be $1.150,000,000, cont With $951.000,000 for the current fis: year. This means that a tax rate of $1.50 on the new assessment will pro- duce a trifle more revenue than the $1.80 rate on the 1927 assessment. Estimates Held Higher. “The estimates which the commit. tee considered exceed in the aggregate the sum of the current appropriations by $1,324,418, deepite the fact that it was unnecessary to make provision in the budget for two projects for which $2,100,000 was appropriated for 1927. In other words, for regular activities or functions the estimates carry ap- proximately $3,400,000 more than was appropriated in 1927, distributed as to major divisions, using round figures, as follow: Increases: Salaries, $293,000; street and road improvement and repair, $869,000; sewers, $154,000; collection and disposal of refuse, $67,000; schools, $1.439,000; public buildings and public parks, $197,000; water department, $697,000, making total increases of $3,716,000; while the decreases are: Fire Department, $110,000, and Public Welfare, $291,000, thus making a net increase of approximately $8,315,000. In the great majority of instances the committee is proposing the budget figures. Some increases have ap- peared to be necessary and in some cases the committee has considered the budget figures as inadequate and s proposing larger sums. The net result of its action, as previously stated, is a reduction of $109,623 in the sum of the budget proposals. Summarized, the money changes are as follows: e . SRS ntingent " ‘and ~miscel Janeous . ... ... Street and road Improve: ment and repair. .. ..5144,600 wers 110 98890 lsction” “and * disposal of fefuse. ... - ectrical depart ment ublic schools lice, ... ire depariment ealth” Depart ourts and pri bli Increase. ater service. . 63.500 $452.010 63.287 Net decroases. AR Salary Allowances. The bill provides approximately for 2,102 officers and employes who are compensated in accordance with the classification act of 1923 and carries $40,774 for making promotions in con formity with the provisions of that act. The principal changes the ap- propriations committee is proposing under this head relate to the purchas- ing division, to metal identification tags for automobiles, to the office of the director of ‘traffic, and to the Pub- lic Library. The House District committee and the chief of the United States Bureau of Efficiency have been giving some study to the purchasing activities of the District government. The appro- priations committee was acquainted with the conclusions reached and gave some study to the matter itself. It appears reasonably certain, the Funk report states, that appreciable savings may be made if the District govern- ment is required to purchase its sup- plies whenever possible under con- tracts made by the general supply committee, just as local activities of the Federal Government do. The District now acts independ- ently, prints a separate list or sched- ule of awards at an annual expense approaching $3,000, incurs an unnec- essafy_expense for personal services by reason of preparing such a list or schedule and, according to a number of purchases brought to the commit- tee’s notice, pays a higher price for simijar articles embraced on the schedule or list of awards made by the general supply committee. A re- quifement is inserted in the bill that purpehases shall be made, so far as possible, in accordance with the reg- ulations of the general supply com- mittee. A limitation been in- serted designed to prevent the print- ing of a separate list of awards, and the committee is proposing a reduc- tlon of five positions in the purchas- ing division, vielding a total of $7,140. It may be practical to effect a larger reduction when there is had the bene. fit of actual experience under the plan proposed, Mr. Funk said in his report. Auto Tag Plant. For the current fiscal vear an ap- propriation of $17.500 was made for the purchase of metal identification tags for automobiles. This present yeargapproximately 160,000 tags will be issued. The contract price i $0.1175 per pair. A study by repre gentatives of the United States reau of Efficiency and certain District officials indicates that worth-while savings may be made if a plant for the manufactur: of these tags were established at the District reform: tory. For an assumes that certain mac 3 equipment may be procured from the Government having a value of about $8,000, a plant can be provided for the manufacture of these prison labor; also certain signs and marker department. terial and operation mated at $14,500 committee believe in the propositic $100.623 and cost of ma- has been esti- The appropriations 1 There is authority of law for it and the superintendent of the institution has unhesitatingly indorsed it Consequently, the amount of $20,000 proposed in the budget for 1928 for the purchase of metal identification tags has been transferred, to be employed in the es. tablishment of the plant and toward its operation. Director of Traffic. The budget estimates for the office of the director of traffic total $123,220, as compared with $100,000 for the current fiscal year. The committee is_proposing $89,360. u decrease of $33,860. The appropriations committes }avenueza Dix Bu- | of $11,000, which | at there is merit | 18 providing for 8 positions, instead of 17, as proposed in the budget, result- ing in a reduction of $13,860. The committee reports that it sees no reason why this force should need to be expanded. An extra load was im- posed this year by the need to renew automobile “operators’ permits. This work will have been completed by July 1, nmext. The budget includes £5,000 for making trarlc counts and surveys. The police are available for such work and should be so employed when occasion or the need arises. This item has been eliminated. ~The re- mainder of the reduction (§15,000) has to do with the control of the auto- matic traffic signal lights. The esti- mates include an item of $18,000 for personal services in .attendance on nine separate control stations. Fol- lowing an indication of the commit- tee's disapproval of this item. a plan was evolved for a centval control sta- tion, making possible the reduction of $15,000. In connection with the appropriations for this office, the ap- propi ions committee is proposing to stop the District bearing any ex- pense in connection with the Install ation of street car loading platforms and lights employed to distingulsh ime; expenses clearly, in the jude ment of the committee. which should be borne by the street car companies, Public Library. | | The budget estimate has been in- by $8,820 to permit of the Public Library and branch li- ries being kept open full time week day. For seven years heen the practice to close ory Wednesday afternoon from ‘clock to 9 o'clock. A fur- increase of $6,000 is proposed to permit of opening a branch library in the BEastern High School building, which was built to accommodate such a branch. Register of Wills and Deeds Recorder. Under the act of April 24, 1926 (44 Stat, 322), the offices of register of wills and recorder of deeds were trans- ferred from a fee to an appropriation basis, effective July 1, 1927. The ap- propriation for the office of the re of wills provides for the purchase of a photostat machine and contemplates its employment in recording instru- ments in that office. The estimate for the recorder of deeds contemplates the employment of typewriters to do the recording on printed form: present time book typewr S used for recording in bound books. The change will make it possible to get along with 28 fewer employees. The building occupied by this ac- tivity is not suited to the installation of a photostat plant. The proposal to use printed forms will need to be |to Florida avenue, north THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C, SATURDAY, JANUARY 29, 1927. Fifty-fifth street northeast, Foote street to St. Catherine street, $800. Grant street northeast, Fiftieth street to Kastle place, $500. Tax Fund Allotments. ‘The specific items of street improve- ment under the gasoline tax fund are as follows: On Alaska Avenue. Alaska avenue, Sixteenth street to Georgla avenue, $68,000. Twelfth street, Rhode Island avenue to_Monroe street, northeast, Nichols avenue, Fourth street Upsal street, southeast, $16,000. D street, Twenty-first street Twenty-third street, $13,000. Twelfth street, EE street to Water street, southwest, $3,600. E street, Thirteenth street to Fif teenth street, northeast, $16,000. Massachusetts avenue, Sixteenth street to Eighteenth street, southeast $18,000. We: to to Virginia avenue, Eighth street t, $13,000 Carolina 00 ine Fourteenth place, North avenue to D street, northeas street, Eighteenth street to ) teenth street, southeast, $7,000. Admiral ney Circle, Kentucky avenue to Seventeenth street, south- east, $3,100. D street, Twelfth street to Four- teenth street, southeast, $16,200 H street, Sixteenth street to Seven- teenth street, southeast, $6,000. Ives place, Fourteenth street to Fif- teenth street, southeast, Sixteenth street, Massachusetts avenue to E street, southeast, $18,20! Seventeenth street, A street to street, southeast, $30,800. S street, Nichols avenue to teenth street southeast, $15,200. For Northwest Section. Farragut street, Fifth street Tllinois avenue, $12,900. Piney Branch road, Van Buren street to Butternut street, $30,000. Van Buren street, Georgia avenue to Piney Branch road, $6,000. Laurel street, ern avenue to Second street, $5,000. Second street, Laurel street to Van Buren street, $13,000. Van Buren street, Second street to aduct, §8,400. treet, Thirt: venth street, $15,000. th street, Reservoir t, $13,000 onne place, Harvard Lanier place, $7,000. Decatur street, Sixteenth Blagden avenue, $10,000, Upshur street, ‘Sixteenth Arkansas avenue, $8,500. Fifth street, 'Decatur Emerson street, $8,000 First street, Whittier street to Van Buren street, $6,000. Crittenden street, Sixteenth street to Seventeenth street, §$8,000. Ogden street, Fourteenth street to Spring place, $17,300 S street, Thirty-fifth Thirty-sixth street, $6,000. Klingle street, Forty-first street to Six- to -fifth street to road street to street to street to street to street to authorized. A bill (H. R. 15347) emanating from the District commit- tee is now on the calendar, which is designed to care for this and other matters pertaining to the office of the recorder of deeds. . Under the general heading of con- tingent and miscellaneous expenses a reduction of $8250 is proposed. Three thousand dollars of this amount applies to the printing of a MHst of awards, previously explained in con- nection with the purchasing office. A reduction of $6,000 is proposed, to be effected by eliminating the item for advertising notices of taxes in arrears. Under the law it has been the practice annually to print a book containing notices of sales of property for over- due taxes. The avaflability of this book is advertised in the public press, It cost to print the 1926 book $7,585.44, and 47 copies were sold at $14.60 each. The appropriations committee under- stands that that i{s not an unusual occurrence. The committee is pro- posing to deny the use of appropria- tions for printing-this book and to re- quire that the data used for printer's copy shall be kept on file in the office of the collector of taxes for public in- spection. It would seem entirely feas- ible to s6 systématize the work as to provide a record suitable for public inspection with but little if any extra effort. These two reductions total $9,000. There is another of $250 on account of the national conference of commissioners on uniform State laws, and an increase of $1,000 is proposed in the postage item to provide for the demands of the Public Library. Street Improvements. Under street and road improvement and repair the committee has excéeded the budget by $144,500, while the budget exceeded the current appropri- ations by $924,250. For new street paving items, the bill carries $1,191,300, which is $384,600 more than was ap- propriated for the current fiscal year and §141,300 in vxcess of the budget estimates. The bill, in keeping with the budget, carriee $450,000 along with new street paving items, which is in- tended solely for resurfacing streets which have been paved for 30 years and more. The committee has adhered rather closely to the budget paving items, but has substituted concrete for sheet asphalt in g number of instances. This resulted in freeing considerable sums which have been employed in providing for items not embraced by the budget, but which the personal survey by members of the committee suggested as being of equal import. ance to the budget items, For repairing streets, urban and sub- urban, the bill carries, including the $450.000 carried along with street pav- ing ftems, $1,660,000. This is in agree- ment with the budget estimate and exceeds the corresponding current al- lu\gflnc@s by $365,000. ? the total sum proposed this head, $1.478,000 will be ch‘ai:‘g;(: to the gasoline tax fund. It has been | estimated that there will be available Ilnsthe fund in 1928 the sum of $1,496,- 56, rngxe list lor streets under the general heading of “street improvem " the bill is as follows: o For paving Seventh street, Decatur street to Hamilton street, $19,500. For paving Hamilton street, Seventh street to Illinois avenue, $9,900. For paving Eighth street, Emerson street to Hamilton street, $11,000. For paving Gallatin street, Fifth street’ to Illinols avenue, $15,400. For paying Illinois avenue, Gallatin street to Hamllton street, $5,600. ¥or paving Emerson street, Kansas avenue to Illinois avenue, $9,900. For paving Fourth street, Buchanan street to Decatur street, $10,200, For paving Hawthorne street, Forty- fourth street to Forty-fourth place, $6,000. For paving Decatur street, Fourth street to Fifth street, $6,600, . For paving Taylor street northeast, Twelfth street to Michigan avenue, $10,500. For paving Thirteenth street north- east, Michigan avenue to Upshur street, $6,100. For paving Twenty-second street | northeast, Monroe street to Otis street, §10,000. For pa east, S $6,300. For paving West Virginia avenue northeast, Penn street to Holbrook Terrace, $7,400. For grading, including necessary | culverts, drains and retaining walls, the following: | " Tennyson street, Thir: | to lot 28, square 2008, $3, | Jay street northeast, {st i ving Thirteenth street south- || street to Good Hope road, | Ir"flrd street Forty-fourth to Forty-sixth street, $3,000. | Evarts street northeast, Third street | o Fourth street, $4,200. l | Forty-fourth strect, Windom place Ilu Yuma street, | Forty-fourth street, $4,100. North Dakota avenue, North Capitol street to Third street, $4,800, ! | Spring road, Tenth street to Thi teenth street, 0 Fifty-seventh streei street to Forty-fifth and Yuma street, | ortheast, Bl‘.llle] Forty-sixth street, $8,300. Cleveland Avenue, $50,000. Gallatin street, Piney Branch road to Sixteenth street, $7,600. Fourth street, Butternut street to Cedar street, $7,600. Newton street, Eighteenth street to Twentieth street northeast, $18,600. Cleveland avenue, Twenty-ninth street to Thirty-third place, $50,000. Forty-second street, Garrison street to Jenifer street, $17,200. Twenty-second street, Otls street to Quincy street northeast, $11,500. Otis street, Rhode Island avenue to Thirtieth place northeast, $9,200. Sheridan street, Blair road to Fifth street, $28,000. For grading, including necessary culverts, drains and retaining walls, the following: Audubon terrace, Linnean avenue to Broad Branch road, $15,000. For widening the west roadway of Connecticut avenue from M street to Dupont Circle by 15 feet and the east roadway of the same avenue from Eighteenth street to Dupont Circle by 15 feet, including the necessary re- location and readjustment of the statue occupying United States reser- vation 150-A, $63,000. For widening to 80 feet and repav- ing the roadway of Connecticut ave- nue from Dupont Circle to Florida avenue, including the replacement of defective sewer and such alteration as may be necessary to the public park at the intersection of Connecticut and Florida avenues and S street, $90,000. For widening to 48 feet and repav- ing the roadway of Twelfth street from E street to Pennsylvania avenue, $10,000. For widening to 70 feet and repav- ing the roadway of Thirteenth street, I street fo Massachusetts avenue, $70,000. For widening to 60 feet and repav- ing the roadway of Fifteenth street, west of McPherson Square, from I street to K street, and for widening to 70 feet and repaving the roadway of this street from K street to Massachu- setts avenue, §65,000. Sewer Proposals. For sewers the committee is propos- ing to increase the Budget allowance by $98,890. This will permit of the completion of the Piney Branch trunk sewer project, much needed in the Manor Park section. The Budget pro- vides an increase of $100,000 in the item for service sewers, wh! the committee has not disturbed, and the Budget and the bill provide $60,000 for the commencement of the Upper Ana- costla main interceptor, a project which will cost, to complete, $498,000. For collection and disposal of refuse the committee has exceeded the Budg- et by $15,000. The act of May 26, 1926 (44 Stat,, 657), authorized the acquisi- tion of 65 acres of land, more or less, in Prince William County, Va., to be used by the District for the reduction of garbag: The entire holdings of the owner of the land contemplated by the act comprise 455 acres, more or less. Taking the 65 acres and putting it to the use contemplated obviously would very materlally depreciate the value of the remaining area of the tract. While it is true the act of May 26, 1926, above referred to, carries au- thority to condemn, the owner of the property has signified in writing his willingness to dispose of the entire tract for $26,000. The commfittee is providing that this may be done. The Budget provides $10,000 for purchas- ing the smaller area. While it would appear from a tabu- lation summary that a smaller amount is being provided for the disposal of refuse than was allowed for the cur- rent fiscal year, the fact is that there 'RUNKS and Leather Goods Repaired Tephams, Inc. 80 L Street Northeast Franklin 4856 No Charge for Hauling ) COARANTELD 1000 B = PENNSYLVANIA PERMIT 52 P TheBest Oilin Many motorists oil is oil, until they get acquainted with AUTOCRAT Motor Oil Then they appreciate the difference. Try it today. THE OIL THAT 1S DIFFERENT FROM ALL OTHERS Beware of Substitutes At Good Dealers Everywhere Bayerson Oll Works. Columbla 5228 think $62,000. | ! | has been transferred from this item { to the salary item about $63,000 now borne by this appropriation on ac- count of personal services. Actually, therefore, the appropriation has been increased about $28,000. Electrical Department. An assistant engineer has been pro- vided under the Electrical Department who is to have immediate supervision of inspectors engaged in the inspec- tion of electric wiring and apparatus and three additional fire-alarm tele- | graph operators are provided for in order that there may be two opera- tors on duty at all times. The bill and the budget provide $9,000 for building an nddition to the Electrical Department storehouse. For street lighting, the sum pro- posed is £790,000, the same as the budget estimate and the same as the current ppropriation. The current appropriation was to be augmented, by such portion of the sum ,000 to be derived from the re- newal of automobile operators’' per- as might be necessary to keep pace with the raffic Department in the installation of trafc-signal lights, Substantial progress has heen made in bettering the city's lighting. This is particularly noticeable on _the im- portant arteries of traffic. Much re- mains to be done. The appropriation committee recommends that the auto- matic traffic-light program should be completed hefore it is time to consider the 1929 estimates. At that time the committee_expects to give considera- tion to a definite program of replace- ment and extension and to have defi- nite cost figures for the operation of the lights then installed and to be in stalled under the development pro- gram. Until the trafic lights are in stalled, related as they are to the im- proved lighting program, it would seem inopportune to embark on any other than a well-defined program at this time, Mr. Funk said in his re- port. Police Department. The bill provides for a total police personnel of 1,284, the same as the current year. This accords with the estimate. An appropriation of $75,000 1= proposed, in accordance with the act of May 25, for supplying uni- forms. The current appropriation, in- cluding $39,320 carried in the pending first deficien , fiscal year 1927, is $89,320, or an average of $66.45 per man, contrasted with §56.68 per man proposed for 1928. The law authorizes not to exceed $75 per man. Provision is made, in conformity with the budget, for the acquisition of one speed boat, to cost $6,000, and one- heavy-duty Diesel-engine boat, to cost $20,000, to take care of police duties on the river front. The Diesel-engine boat will be equipped as an auxiliary to the Fire Department’s boat. Both boats are to supplant old vessels be longing to the Navy, which have 'been condemned and returned to the Navy Department. Coupled with the pro- posal is a proposition to have police personnel operate water craft, doing away with a civil force costing $8,940. Fire Department. No change is proposed in the per- sonnel of the Fire Department. The number is 863. A reduction of $31,300 is made under the head of “‘miscella- neous,” $23,000 of which is due to two special ftems carried in the current appropriation act, and varving lesser amounts are provided under a num- ber of heads, including $5,000 for fuel, suggested by the Fire Department. For permanent improvements the commit- tee is proposing $15,657 in excess of the budget recommendation, account- ed for by the fact that the site which it was proposed to acquire under the appropriation carried in the current appropriation act upon which to build a new engife house in the vicinity of Sixteenth street and Piney Branch road northwest could not be used for the purpose intended becayse the deeds precluded the use of any of the property for other than residential purposes, and what appears to be the only other available site in that im- mediate territory which may be ac- quired under the price limitation im- posed In the current appropriation act cannot be purchased for the sum now avalilable. It is understood that the additional sum proposed will per- mit of the acquisition of this site. The appropriation supplemented {s now available, Health Department. The committee is proposing to in- crease the budget estimates for the Health Department by $18,680. An ad- ditional inspector, at $1,680 per an- num, i{s provided for in consequence of the act of July 3, 1926, entitled “An act to regulate the manufacture, ren- ovation and sale of mattresses in the District of Columbia.” An increase of $5,000 is proposed for the treat- ment of indigent persons suffering from social diseases, pursuant to an appeal to the committee by the Soclal Hyglene Soclety of the District of Co- lumbia, and, lastly, the appropriation for maintaining a chfld hygiene serv- ice has been increased from $38,000 to $45,000 in order that this ‘very worthy activity may be better able to carry on the splendid work it is do- ing. The additional sum will parmit of the establishment of an additional child-welfare station and an increase of three in the number of visiting nurses. Police Court. The estimates include an item of $6,000 for preliminary studies on plans and specifications for the new Police Court Building, authprized by the act of July 3, 1926 (44 Stat. 901). The committee aunderstands that an esti- mate for the construction of this building has but recently been trans- mitted to the Bureau of the Budget. As to the treatment it will receive there the committee is not advised. Its pendency, Mr. Funk said, would seem to justify the elimination of the item for plans and specifications, so that if the estimate for the building comes along the two may be consider- ed together. Purchase of Land. In the current appropriation act provision was made, exclusive of the National Park and Planning Com- mission and the Anacostia Fark proj- ect, for the acquisition of 11 parcels of land for specifically named uses, each having a price limitation of 125 per cent of the assessed value. To date two tracts have been bought under this limitation—a school site in Potomac_Heights and a_police station site in Tenleytown. The site for a fire engine house in the vicinity of Sixteenth and Piney Branch road northwest has been referred to pre- viously. The appropriations were made avail able until July 1, 1928, in order that negotiations for 'purchase could be deferred until the new assessment, which becomes effective July 1 next. Testimony at the hearings showed the present assessment, the maximum price payable apply cent limitation thereto, the price and the new assessment. It dis- closes, according to Mr. Funk’s report that a wide disparity will continue to exist when the new assessment be comes effective as between the asking prices and the new assessed values, and gives renewed emphasis to the committee’s contention that the law requiring full value assessments is not being properly administered or else that the owners of property here which is needed for public uses are de termined to force local taxpayers to contribute toward extortionate prices for their personal gain. The com- mittee, he says, does not believe that it is futile to attempt to accomplish its aim through the continuation of this price limitation. It i true it will have the effect of delaying acquisitions, but by continu- ing to focus public attention upon the matter, it is belleved that much can ba accomplished to bring about a more satisfactory situation. The head of the Citizen Advisory Council is in full sympathy with the committee's aim and policy. School Land Purchases. ‘With respect to school building and playground sites specifically appropri- ated for, the current appropriations act provides that if any of such sites cannot be acquired under the 125 per cent price limitation the funds thus released migkt be employed in ac- quiring any other land authorized to be acquired under the five-year school building program act. It is understood with respeci to some of these latter that they may be purchased at a fig. ure but little in excess of 125 per cent of the prevent assessed value. In order that advantage may be taken of propositions of this character, the com mitee is proposing to exempt from the 125 per cent limitation until June 27, $154,000 of the funds made ilable in the current appropriation act for the purchase of school building and playground sites. The school estimates total $12, 344,701. This sum is $1,439,330 in ex- cess of the current appropriations, principally accounted for as follows: TR 19,440 Rectvorat ottremiont’ fand: 50000 2k 450 Junitor force . Hig 20000 TRl i AT St 100,000 Fireproof ‘stagé ciriains for Ceniral | /"0 . 710.760 and Dunbar High Schools. School buildings and grounds. The committee has not disturbed ftems 2, 3, 4 and 6. With respect to the fncrease on account of the teach- ers’ retirement fund, this ls brought about by the act of June 11, 1926 (44 Stat., 727), which provides for the cre- ation of a fund for the payment of an nuities as established therein. Through the United States Bureau of Eficiency an actuarial investigation has been made of the financial arrangements necessary to establish such a fund. A summary thereof will be found com- mencing on page 608 of the hearings The appropriations necessary to be made in conformity with the act must provide for current liabilities and ac- crued liabilities, requiring annual ap- propriations over a period of 30 years of $1,439,897 and $5,831,844, respective- ly. On the basis, therefore, that bene- fits remain at the present rates and the experience continues normal, it will be necessary to make annual ap- propriations throughout this perfod of $359,007. During the same period the teachers will have contributed a total of $3,264,795. On the basis of the former retirement law, the current ap- propriation for the payment of annui- ties to teachers is §70,000. Fireproof Curtains. The stages at the Eastern, Western, and Armstrong High Schools are now equipped with fireproof curtains. It is felt by the committee that this precau- tion should be taken at the Central and Dunbar High Schools. The estimated cost is $100,000, which in- cludes money for making necessary in- cidental alterations. As to pay of teachers, the budget in- crease of $219,440 includes $121,100 for the pay of 74 additional teachers, the remainder representing longevity ad- vances. The committee makes no pro- vision whatever for additional teach- ers. Apart from the administrative and supervisory officers, of whom there are 186, appropriations are avall- able today for the employment of 2,656 teachers. At the present time 2,620 are on the rolls, the report explains, It is expected that 36 will need to be added in February. The school authorities have been un- able to satisfy the committee that there will be a real need for 74 addi- tional teachers during the flscal year 1928, it is stated. The hearings dis- close an exhaustive investigation of the subject. The school authorities contend that 25 additional teachers will be needed in the elementary schools, 44 in junior high schools, and 6 in senior high schools, to provide for increased enroliment, to take care of new classrooms, and for opening new kindergartens and manual-training centers. Studies made by members of the committee suggest that these needs can be met within the present force of teachers through a redistribu- tion to be effected by the school authorities after further surveying ex- isting assignments, says the report. For building and grounds the budget proposes appropriations. for 1928 to- taling $3,006,750. This exceeds the sum of the current appropriations by $710,750. The committee is proposing appropriations totaling $2,786,750, or $220,000 less than the budget figure. ‘The committes is proposing the re- fusal of the appropriation of $100,000 sought for an addition to the Crummell 8chool, and has excluded provision for the purchase of a site for a new health school for colored pupils. Neither of these items, in the judg- ment of the commiftee, needs to be pro- vided for at this time, says the report. The appropriations proposed for the Open Until 5 P.M. Mon., Tues. and Wed. Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 and 2 You Never Can Tell —when some personal crisis may occur de- manding recourse to the use of ready cash. 2T Il 20, The Columbia National Bank 911 F Street Capital and Surplus $650,000.00 A T21 1T ISP PPEI I I LTS For which reason every man and woman should have a bank account. { PAYDAY depositing affords you the surest means of accumulating a cash reserve. the building of yours date from This Payday. Let ONE DOLLAR Will Open a Savings Account at “Columbia National Our Savings Dept. Pays [} purchase of sites amount to $37,250. In addition, the appropriation of $125,- 000 for the fiscal year 1925 for an ath- letic field for the Western High School is continued available until June 30, 1928, since it has not been practicable to effect the purchase up to this time. A number of the building items, as presented in the budget, in addition 1o the appropriations recommended for the preparation of plans, carry au- thorizations to enter into construction contracts. Wherever this has oc. curred, the committee has eliminated the contract authorization. nder the community center depart- ment the committee has added $1,000 to provide janitor service in connec tion with meetings of the parent- teacher assoclations in the schools after regular school hours, and it has increased from $5,000 to $10,000 the appropriation for supplying school children with paper towels. Welfare Modifications. The committee has modified the budget proposals for public welfare in the following respects. Increases.—Reformatory, $45,500; ‘Washington Home for Incurables, $5,000; Industrial Home School, $200 Soldiers and Sailors' Home, $500; Co lumbia Polytechnic Institute for the Blind, $1,500. The one decrease Is $1,500 for Co- lumbla Hospital and Lying-in Asylum. The increase for the reformatory has been partially explained in connection with the subject of metal identifica- tion tags, which accounts for $34,500 of the increase. The remainder (311, 000) s to permit of the establishment of a foundry for making cast-iron products for use by the municipal gov- ernment, such as window weights, grate bars, manhole frames, etc. The contract price for this class of material is 5% cents per pound. The United States Bureau of Efficiency has made a study of the matter and figures hat on the basis of 200 tons production the average cost per pound would be a trifle less than 2 cents, On the basis of 100 tons, it ‘would be a little less than 3 cents. ‘With respect to the Columbia Hos- pital, the committee has taken the po- sition that this institution should be treated the same as other local medi- al Institutions; i.e., simply compen- sated on the same basis for caring for indigent cases. Heating and repa expenses should be paid out of hospita revenues and not by the District gov- ernment and the Federal Government, as has been the custom. The man- agement of this institution, it is felt, should take such steps as may be necessary to put it on a self-sustaining basis. An appropriation is carried in this bill for the first time for home care for dependent children in accordance with the act of June 22, 1926. The first ap- propriation for this object was carried in the second deficiency act, fiscal year 1926. § The appropriation proposed by the budget and the committee is $85,000. On January 15, 1927, payments were being made on account of 277 children, and the average monthly cost per child was about $18.40. The law has not been in operation sufficiently long to permit of much more than a guess as to what the demands will be. The authorities are doubtful that the ap- propriation proposed for 1928 will be enough. The committee believes it should invite attention to the fact that the law imposes no limitation what- ever on the amount that may be paid for the support of a child. Anacostia River and Flats. For continuing the work of reclaim- ing and developing the Anacostia River and flats the budget carries $185,000, as against $170,000 for the current year. The employment of the $185,000 was restricted as follows: Work below Benning Bridge, $125,- 000; work at and above Benning $20,000; purchase of land above Benning Bridge, $40,000. . There is a bulance of approximately $39,000 now available for the purcha: of land. The committee finds that there remains to be acquired about 106 acres of fast land above Benning Bridge which is assessed around $1,000 per acre. If this could be purchased at the assessed value plus 25 per cent, there would need to be available $132,500. The committee, therefore, is propos. ing to increase the budget figure for the purchase of land to $92,500, which, with the balance avallable, would per- mit of the entire area being acquired at the figure indicated. The commit- tee is providing, however, that no part of this sum shall be expended until options have been secured on the entlre tract at prices which do not exceed in the aggregate the total sum that will be available for the purchase of land. The committee is not providing any money for work at and above Benning Bridge and is avevse to providing any money for such work until all land above the bridge has been acquired. The sum allocated to the project below the bridge will need to be sup- plemented by $85,000 to finish that part of the undertaking, exclusive, of course, of park development features under the cognizance of the director of public buildings and public parks. Public Bulldings and Public Parks. For the improvement and care of parks the budget estimates exceed the Only 25¢ Weekly to RENT! Enjoy with thousands—world’s choicest fiotion at a few cents a day WOMRATH RECOMMENDS A thrilling detective keyed fouRatpas that never YOU CHOOSE from the “Best Sellers” right off the press...fore- most authors....famous titles. This way you keep in touch with the world’s finest current fiction at trifiing rental fees. The book you want is here, if it'snewand popular.Clean, inviting volumes from the world’s largest lending current appropriations by $23,340. The mmittee 19 proposing a reduction of 000 In the budget estimates. The allocations proposed in the bill are as tollows: General expenses, $207,500; placing and maintaining portions of parks in | conditon for outdoor sports, $30,000: improvement and maintenance, sec- tions C and D, Anacostia Park, $35,000; improvement of Rock Creek Park, $50,000; improvement of Meridian Hill Park, $23,000; erection of minor aux- iNary structures, §12,600. This makes a_total of $358,000. The reduction of $5,000 is on an item recommended by the budget for architectural or pro- fessional services. An appropriation of $150,000 1s in-| cluded for building two artificial bath- | Ing pools in the District of Columbia It is planned to build one of these| pools at the McKinley High School and | one in the vicinity of Twenty-second | and N streets, both upon land already | owned. Attention is invited by the appropriation committee to the fact that these two pools will be smaller than those contemplated by the act of May 4, 1926, the plan being to erect a number of smaller pools in different sections of the city rather than two large ones. The appropriation proposed is in ac cordance with the letter of the law, which provides for two bathing pools or beaches at an authorized cost for both of not to exceed $345,000. It will be necessary, however, if the ap propriation be made as proposed to have turther legislation for the con struction of additional pools. Park Commission Fund. The budget and the bill provide for an appropriation of $800,000 for this activity, which agrees with the cur- rent yea¥ allowance, and of this sum it has been indicated that $564,500 will be devoted to the acquisition of land. The committee is proposing to con- tinue the 125 per cent price limitation on land acquisitions under this appro- priatlon, excepting therefrom $150,000, as was done for the current year. A statement of transactions up to No vember 30, 1926, appears in the hear- ings, commencing on page 729. Water Department. The sum proposed in the budget for ! the water department is $1,991,210, payable from the water revenues, with the exception of $400,000. The com- mittee is proposing the eliminaton of two extension items in the southea section of the city, estimated to cost $63,500, which has the effect of re- ducing the amount chargeable to gen eral revenues from $400,000 to $336,500 Otherwise, the budget recommenda- tions have not been disturbed, except the item for laying service mains, which has been made available im- mediately. In concluding his report to the House Chalrman Funk expressed the appreciation of the committee for the co-operation of the House District committee and of the United States Bureau of Efficiency in handling sev- eral situations with which it was called upon to deal. PR TEMPLE MAY BE CHOICE. Senator Reed to Recommend Penn- sylvanian for I. C. C. Senator Reed, Republican, of Penn- sylvania plans to recommend another Pennsylvanian for appointment to the Interstate commerce Commission. Representative Temple of Pennsyl- vania is among those now under con- sideration and Senator Reed has con- ferred with a number of Senators, both Republicans and Democrats, to obtain their advice. The Pennsylvania Senator wants to avoid, if possible, such a fight as that which resulted in the rejection recently of the nomina- tion of Cyrus E. Woods of Greens- burg. The appointment of any Pennsyl- vanian for the place made vacant by the retirement of Frederick I. Cox of New Jersey will meet with objection, however, from the Senators from West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee, who led the fight against Woods. Mrs. Ewing Dies at Age of 92. NEWARK, Ohlo, January 29 (®), —Mrs. Henrietta Ewing, 92, widow of Gen. Hugh Boyle Ewing, former United States Minister to The Hague, died today. { Why cant ve | save more! It you spend every dollar you make of course you can't save and get ahead in | the world. ot down to & budget sys- tem and go about thrift the right way. Come in an open an account in our Builiing and Toan Agsociation and be: fore you know it you have saved & groat deal more than you ever though possible. See us about opening an account now. Columbia Permanent Building Association 733 12th St. N.W. Pays 5% Interest Compounded Semi-annually Y £: Bon reaes he Forning Htar * B ot | mendea yes st | TIMBER CONTRACT INQUIRY IS URGED Award to Fred Herrick Involving 890,000,000 Feet of Wood Declared Violated. mmittee, which a and Teapot ndals, recoms ate that te the conm- Forest Service Idaho involving er in the Fed Grant County, unearthed the ( Dome naval ofl it be directed tract awarded by to Fred Herri 890,000,000 feat of the The Senate sent th its comm on expen proval of the $3,000 y penses, and is slution to s for o oposal for a¥s ted approve uiry seme time next week s a_report would to be made to the Senate by ruary 28 Chairman Stanfield is beginning to lay plans for the inquiry, which will involve the calling from Oregon of a number of witnesses..including agents of the Forest Service and of Grant County. The amble ¢ rick has falled to comply with provisions of his con- tract providing for the construction 80 miles of railroad and for the be- ginning of logging operations on April 1, 1925, WILL HONOR McKINLEY. Ohio State Society to Celebrate Late President’s Birthday. re: expe to have Members of the Ohio State Soclety will hold their annual celebratlon of the birthday dent William Me- Kinley toni uscher’ Willlam T. Kuhns, president of the Canton, Ohio, Chamber of Commerce, who was a close assoclate of McKin- loy, will address the meeting. He will give reminiscen of relations with the former President during his boyhood days and manhood D. R. Crissing governor of the Federal Reserve Board, is chalrman of the committee in charge of are rangemen Following the meeting there will be dancing and a buffet supper. Admission cards have been limited to 600. 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