Evening star., 1899-10-05

The chief feature of the Comm sSiOners'
annual estimates, which were pub shed
last week is their moderate aggregate N
comparison both with those of the pre-
vious year and the real needs of the Dis
trct. 1t is to be hoped that this circum-
stanC" VIII he borne carefully in mind by
the House appropriations committee when.
a few weeks later. it b"g-ns the work of
preparing the annual District bill. The ag
greEa.e Of the budget just submitted TO the
Secre AIRY Of the Treasury is. in round num-
berS s.. .4pu.opn. This is. also in round num-
bers. only si24on more than the total car
Tied by the current appropriation for the
regular expenses of the District 1t is
81. .2GI. 900 less than the estimates submit
ted a year ago. upon which the current
law was based. These figures disclose the
care and economy which the Commission
have displayed in figuring up the local
reuuirem
The Commissioners announce that they
have scaled their estimates for the simple
reason that they fear the local revenues
will not suffice to meet a larger apprOprfa-
ton than that which they propose. This
Is locally novel reason, yet 1t is amply
justified at the present juncture, owing TO
the injustice of the laws which throw the
entire burden of certain street extensions
upon the District instead of dividing it
equally between the District and the gen
eral government. as every consideration OF
equity demands. 1t is. of course, wise that
the Commissioners should keep we'll in
side the range of probable income. Here
tofore one of the chief causes of complaint
against the parsmony of Congress has been
that the appropriations fell short of meet
ing the local income. thus violating the
spirit of the law which provides that the
District shall raise a certain sum each
year from its legitimate sources of revenue,
and that this sum shall then be duplicated
by the government. the total of the two 20
form the Districts allowance for the fiscal
year 1t is an oddly of legislation and
finance that by virtue of an invasion of
the capitals rights Congress should have
restored the conditions which involved the
use Of all the available local revenues for
the proper local needs.
l. : a striking commentary upon the
Districts growth in every direction that,
although the estimates are higher by over
half million than the current appropria-
ton, they contain provision for none of
the larger projects for which the capital is
really suffering. The budget merely
fleets the current requirements of the mu-
nicipaljty. There is absolutely no evidence
anywhere of extravaganza or desire to
use up the revenues. Many increases
which are demanded by the developing
conditions are put aside for another sea-
son. There is some provision for larger
allowances for the three principal items of
local ueed-the schools and the fire and
police departments-which merely reflect
the steady growth of the capital in popu-
Iatlon The public library allowance is in
creased To a closer approach TO the sum
needed for its proper maintenance. There
are a few advances in salaries here and
there. but none too many or too large,
when the growing reSpons bilities of the
local officials are considered. Indeed. the
Commissioners have practically written a
mos economical appropriation bill as the
budget sands today, and the District
would by no means he overwhelmed with
generosity if rhe committees were to
cept it in its present form and enact it into
law.