Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-14
The Commissioners Confronted by a
Financial Problem.
TIE COST OF STREET EXTENSION
Requirement That District Shall
Pay Whole Amount.
ESTIMATED EXPENSES

The District Commissioners have recently
acquainted Congress with the fact that
there Will be. July 1, 1900, an apparent def
cit in the revenues of the District of be-
tween $G0O,0OO and 100000. This deficit, it
is explained, represents the difference be-
tween the amount OF the Commissioners
estimates Of the expenses of the munich
pality during the current fiscal year and
the revenues of the District for the same
period. This apparent deficit, it is stated,
will be due to the requirement of Congress
that the District shall bear the whole ex-
pense involved in the opening and extern
sion of the various streets authorized and
required to be opened and extended by ex-
listing law. In explanation of this condi-
ton of affairs, which, it is needless to state,
the Commissioners regard as most serious
one, they have transmitted to Congress a
statement prepared at their direction by
Mr.. j. T. Petty. the auditor of the District
From this statement it appears that
during the fiscal year ending June 10. 1899,
the revenues of the District amounted to
s3.656622 ~. To this sum a surplus of
$9175S1.91 was added. making a total sum
of S4,574, ,20t11. During the fiscal year of
1899 the District was required to pay the
sum of 81, ,cGS, 10 as its half of the expenses
of the municipality. the other half being,
of course, paid by the United States. Dur
ing the same period there was paid wholly
from the District revenues on account of
street extension, etc. the sum of $102,-
DDS 49, making the total amount paid out
of the Districts revenues during the fiscal
year ended June 80. 1859. $3.50, ,94S.S:', which
left an apparent surplus the 1st of July,
1889, of $6C3, ,255.2S
Estimated Expenses.
The Districts half of the estimated ex-
penses of the municipality for the coming
fiscal year, or the fiscal year of 1901, pro-
viding the appropriations asked for by the
Commissioners be granted, will be just 3d.,
3Si, ,5s6.63.
1t is estimated that the sum of 81, $50 1856
will be required between the present time
ana July l, 1900, for the extension of
Streets avenues, etc, under existing laws.
this amount being made up as follows: For
11th street. $4,000; for Rhode Island ave-
nue., $4,000: for Sherman avenue. SloOGDo,
and for 18th street, SSJ4 ,3S'i. The amount
paid on account of street extensions during
the current fiscal year is S117.27l.6j, which.
added to the sums estimated for the four
thoroughfares above mentioned, gives to-
tai of 81 ,45I 90. This sum added to the
amount which it is expected the District
will have to provide as its half of the ex-
penses of the coming fiscal year makes a
grand total of S4.S41 ,M42S.
The amount of surplus revenues July l.,
1899, as above stated, was S6tE,, 25o. 2S.
Lapsed appropriations (one-half. 1t is sta
ted, amount to $4,000. The assessors esti-
mate of receipts of the District for the
fiscal year 1900 amounts to S3,5S7 $50. 78.
Adding these last mentioned three amounts
the sum of S4215, 04 is obtained as the
total of estimated receipts. Deducting this
sum from that of 81 ,S41 ,944. 2S, which repre-
sents the estimated expenditures, there re-
mains $500 S.24 as the expected deficiency
July /, 1900.
The Amount Doubled.
This apparent deficit July l. 1900. of
s626 30s. "a, really amounts to twice that
amount, Or 81, 252, ,616.4S, for the reason that.
if this sum of $626, 30S.24 should be avail
able July ], 1900. instead of representing a
deficit of that amount, the United States
would, provided the appropriations asked for
by the Commissioners for the coming fis-
cal year be granted, appropriate, as its
half of the Districts expenses, a like sum-
which would thereby increase the amount
of the next District appropriation act just
81 Do, ,6164S, or double the amount of the
deficit which is expected the first of next
July. Therefore, unless Congress repeals
that provision of the street extension acts
which requires the expenses incidental
thereto to be met wholly by the District,
equally by the United States and the Dis
trict, the Commissioners estimates of eX-
penses of the District government for the
next fiscal year, that of 1901, must be re-
duced just s1.252. .616.4S.
1t is understood the Commissioners fear
that no such equal distribution of the ex-
pcnses Incidental to the extension of the
streets provided for by existing laws will
he made by Congress, and today they de-
MED themselves to callers for the purpose
of discussing the situation, and deyising, if
possible, some relief.