Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-08
ADVANCES
BILL INTRODUCED IN CONGRESS TO
AVERT DISTRICT DEFICITS.
Measure Suggested by COmmis toners
Estimates of Expenses. Includ-
ing Cost of Street Extension.

bill to authorize advances from the
treasury of the United States for the sup
port Of the government of the District OF
Columbia was simultaneously introduced to-
day in the Senate by Mr.. Mcmillan and in
the House by Mr.. Babcock. The bill au-
thorizes and directs the Secretary of the
Treasury to advance to the disbursng Of
ficer Of the District such sums as may be
necessary from time to time to meet the
general expenses Of the District, and to re-
imburse the treasury for the portion of
such advances payable by the District out
Of the taxes and revenues collected for the
support Of the government. The bill pro-
vides that nothing in this act shall be so
construed to require the United States
to bear any part of the cost of street ex-
tensions.
The bill, which is intended to cover any
possible deficit in the revenues of the Dis
trict during the coming fiscal year, 1t is
understood, was suggested by the Commits
sioners. AS heretofore stated, and the
committee on appropriations their estimate
of the expenses of the municipality during
the next fiscal year represents just what,
in their Judgment Is absolutely needed to
provide for the maintenance of the District
government and continuance of those
improvements and extensions of work which
should be continued.
Larger Than Previous Estimates.
These estimates, therefore, are much
larger than ever before made, and were
made so despite the fact that the Commits
sioners realized that the diversion by Con-
gress of the revenues of the District to the
payment of the expenses incident to the
extension of streets would create deficit
during the next fiscal year. They believed
that they should, in submitting their esti-
mates, acQuafnt Congress with what they
feel are the actual pressing necessities of
the municipality. and not sacrifice it's inter-
ests by scaling down their estimates to such
an amount as would fall within the amount
available after meeting the street extension
expenses. So far they have proceeded on
the theory that these estimates will be al
lowed. as they represent what they believe
should be granted by Congress in all fair
ness to the people of the District, and as
such an allowance would, of course. result
In deficit next year. it became necessary
to suggest such an arrangement as will
meet the expected deficit.
Cost of treet Extensions.
The bill In question provides, as above
stated, that there shall be advanced to me
District during the coming fiscal year such
an amount as may be found necessary to
meet the difference between the unexpended
revenues of the District and Its share of the
sum appropriated for the expenses of the
municipality during the fiscal year ending
June 80. 1902 1t is expected that the ex-
penses incident to the extension of streets
already provided for will amount to about
$2,0OO.0O0 and that the deficit during the
next fiscal year will be about a million dol
lars. OF course, this diversion is but tenn
porary one, but the situation it creates
must be met, for. the Commissioners
nave declared, Congress cannot expect Ine
District to stand still, nor is 1t believed that
1t Will do anything to cripple it. Therefore,
the situation in question must be tided over
by advances from the United States. and
this, 1t is understood, is the purpose of the
commissioners in seeking to secure the
enactment OF the bill introduced TODAY.