The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-16
REGARDING THE DEFICIT
The Commissioners Place the Blame
Entirely Upon Congress.
Public Interest I'm the Question In
creases - Precisely what Might
cumstapces Mr. wight's state
mcnt Scnling Down the Estimates.

The threatened deficit in the revenues of
,he District of Columbia, an exhibit of
which was published in yesterdays Times,
was much talked Of in and about the Dis
trio. Building. Various theories were adj
vanced by way of a remedy fer the ex-
pected evil of floating debt. but the gen.
eral opinion was that Congress, having
danced 10 the tune of street Improvement.
should now pay-or help pay-the piper.
The District Commissioners are unit
In the opinion that the condition which
confronts them is precisely what might
have been expected under the circum-
stances. They held 1t to be the direct re-
suit of the rule insisted upon by Congress
that the whole burden of opening and ex-
tending the thoroughfares of the city shall
be borne by the District. The only matter
Of surprise in their view is that it has not
brought about a shortage of funds before
this time
II was learned yesterday that the Dis
trict Commissioners have always recon-
mended TO the committees of Congress that
the clauses IL street extension bills, put
ing the entire cost of the improvement un
the District. should be stricken out. They
have consistently and uniformly protested
against the action OF Congress in this mar
ticular from the beginning. and now they
think that their Judgment is indicated in
the fact that the District revenues are no
longer able TO endure the strain.
Commissioner Wight yesterday author
lied the following statement. relative to
the scaling down of estimates for the fiscal
year ending in 1901:
'lf the Commissioners estimates of ex-
penses for the next fiscal year are reduced
to the extent OF between 81 ZOO. 900 and
81. 800, 900. as they must be. unless Con-
gress in some way comes to our relief in
the matter the whole District government
will be simply demoralized. for we would
have TO reduce our police department, we
would have to curtail our force of school,
teachers. limit our now too small fire de-
partment and we would be unable to make
practically any improvements. But as /
have said before. ] should not be willing
to reduce in the slightest degree the
amount of appropriations have asked |
IL Congress fails to repeal that provision
OF existing law requiring the District to
bear the entire expense Of opening and ex-
tending streets. then ] suppose we will
United States. or for authority TO make one |
with private parties.
The expense of opening and extending (
the streets already provided for will |
amount to about 81 0e. 900. and the cost 1
OF those contemplated would probably in |
crease this amount to twice that sum. 1
Therefore. il We are compelled to borrow.
we will probably be required TO borrow I
about $500 00e. II these streets are to l
be opened and extended and | believe. OF /
course. that they should be. no one will I
question the wisdom Of doing the work /
now. for 10 do il Eve or ten years later I
would cost probably twice as much as il 1
would at the present time
But ! do not believe that the District /
should be compelled to borrow money. and
II Will not be necessary TO do SO if Con- |
eress decides that the United States shah |
bear half of the expense attending The 1
opening and extending OF streets. The fact /
that most Of these streets are north of !
Florida Avenue is hot TO my mind any
reason whatever why the United States
should depart from its association with
the District in the matter of meeting such
expense Florida Avenue. at best. is but
an imaginary boundary line between the
city and the resi- OF The District. and about
the only purpose IL serves is TO provide an
excuse FOR those who feel that outside the
city the District should bear the whole
cost of opening and extending streets.
feel that in expressing these views | will
have the sympathy of the people OF the
District, and hope ans believe that they I
Viii assist the Commissioners in their ef-
fort to secure a repeal OF this. TO my mind.
most unjust unfair and unrighteous pro-
vision OF existing law