Evening star., 1893-12-07

When Secretary Carlisle recommends that
the District estimates be cut down until the
figures are those which represent the mad
equate District appropriation for the present
fiscal year. he does probably with no
pther motive than that Of economy-for Sec
rstary Carlisle has always been an admirer
Of and friend to the national capital Not
forgetful of the political exigency for which
the Secretary is endeavoring to provide. the
Star insists that by such material reduc-
tion-more than one and half million dol
lars-the Secretary does himself and the ad-
ministration and the capital injustice. This
city grows daily and unless 1t Is the inten-
ton of the powers that temporarily be to
cramp'its efforts toward perfection it will
continue to extend and become more beauti-
full until no city on the globes surface will
compare with it. But merely to meet the
absolute needs Of the developing capital will
require more than the amount of the prob
able District revenues. In respect to some
great improvements, of which the cost is
much reduced and the pecuniary benefits en-
larged by prompt completion. II would even
be wise economy to borrow money to finish
the proposed works speedily. In any event
there Is not the slightest reason why the
full revenues of the District from taxation
and other sources provided by law should
not be applied as far as they will go to meet
municipal needs whose full satisfaction
would absorb a much larger amount.
The Commissioners have based their esti-
mates Of proposed expenditures upon a rea-
sonabls calculation Of the revenues. The
Secretary does not suggest that the local
revenues will be unequal to the proposed ex-
penditure, he does not criticise any item of
the Commissioners proposals as unneces-
nr 9TH he
indicate any reason for the creation of a
surplus-but he thinks that one and half
million dollars OF the current local revenues,
one half derived from the taxation Of citi-
zens, should remain unexpended in the
treasury vaults or be thrown into the aban-
doned tunnel
There may be some showing OF economy
for Uncle Sam in postponing in part the full
fllment Of his financial obligations toward
the capital, but 1t is cruel injustice to
force the District into the gross extrava-
gance Of exacting three fourths of million
dollars from the local taxpayers and then
wasting this amount or leaving it unproduc-
tive In the treasury.
The wise financial policy concerning Dis
trict expenditures is exhibited in the intel
hgent and economical apportionment of the
local revenues upon local needs. in proper
ton to their importance and urgency. lop-
ping on extravagant and foolish items and
applying the money thus saved to deserving
municipal projects. True economy is shown
In the manner in which the District reve-
nues are expended. in making every cent go
the farthest in promotion OF the capitals
welfare. and not in refusing to spend large
part OF those revenues and permitting them
to lie idle and unfruitful in the treasury, or
In anticipating the liquidation OF the Dis
tricts alleged Indebtedness on account of
the tunnel.
Why should the too-great taxation of this
people De buried either in treasury vault
or IN tne districts hole-in-the-ground. when
mere is urgent work for every cent of it to
do?