The morning times., 1897-01-29
THE REDUCED ESTIMATES
General Regret Expressed That
the Cut Was Made.
VIEWS OF THE COMMISSIONERS
They Hope That the Senate Com
Inittee VIII Be More Liberal
When the Bill Comes Before 1t.
Some of the Estimates Pleased
President Ross

The heavy cut made by the House Com
mittee in its report Of the District appro-
priation bill from the estimates made by
the Commissioners was variously com
mented upon at the District Building yes
terday.
A universal sentiment of regret was
expressed that the economy should have
been so exacting The Commissioners did
not care to discuss the matter at length,
but each OF them expressed the hope that
the Senate Committee will make an ad-
dition to the aggregate by raising some
OF the more important items to a point
nearer the estimates.
tof course, 1 regret the reduction"
said Commissioner Ross, ''for we really
made a careful estimate, based upon the
actual needs of the District. We asked
for less than the estimated revenues would
have justified, for the reason that we
wanted to exhibit an economical dispo-
sition.
There are several features OF the bill,
however, continued the Commissioner,
(Which please me erymuch, and destreto
express my appreciation ofthe evident care
taken by the subcommittee in its treat
ment of the whoie subject"
The Commissioner spoke particularly of
the appropriation for a hospital for minor
contagions, $11O, 900. He said he did not
know whether the item for construction
had bee n included in that or not, but II the
bill goes through the Senate without re-
duction it will enable the board to pur-
chase q site and erect a building suited TO
the needs of the District. Mr.. Ross also
alluded with pleasure TO the appropriation
for the continuation OF the contract OF the
western High School.
Neither President Ross nor Col. Trues-
dell cared to cite any particular items
which should have preference III any at
tempt to secure a more liberal allow
aBce from the Senate committee. Col.
Truesdell hastily scanned the items as
published in The Times, and said he had
hoped for a larger appropriation. He
said, however, that he should await the
publication of the bill in detail, which
will appear in the Congressional Record to-
dav, before expressing an opinion.
Engineer Commissioner Powell was as
reticent as his colleagues. He referred to
I
in which he especially regretted. One
of these was the item of 100000 for
work on sundry streets and avenues
.sThat,'' said Major Powell, ''refers to
sidewalks. 1t is just one-sixth of what
we asked for. our estimates being for
100000. 1t is an important work and
should not be stinted."
This appropriation has been less than
was estimated for each year for several
wears. The amount allowed in the cur
rent bill was $163,500, against an esti-
mate of $500, 900 made for 1897. The
same estimate was made this year in the
hope that Congress would average the
matter by giving substantial increase
over this years appropriation
Major Powell also cited the mount al
lotted for assessment and permit work.
The estimate was for $3.50, 900, and the
House Committee allowed but $125,o00,
lust half of the amount asked for
1.-The people pay one-haif of the cost for
the work done under that appropriation,
observed Commissioner Powell, land 1
should think that it is class OF work
which ought to be encouraged"
The Commissioners were all disposed
to take philosophical view OF the stu
alton, recognizing that the will OF Con-
gress is the supreme authority.