Evening star., 1901-12-14
THE DISTRICT FINANCES
CONFERENCES BETWEEN COMMIS-
sIoNERs AND CONGREssMEN.
Provision for Adequate ApprOpria-
sentative McCIeary's Letter.

The District Commissioners have been
comforting from time to time since Congress
convened with senator's and representatives,
who are members Of the committees on the
District of Columbia and on appropriations.
representing the financial situation In the
District with view to providing adequate
appropriations for it's needs. The Cenmis-
sioners recently sent their estimates to Con-
gress for the year 1893, calling for more
| than $4,000. coo. In view Of the present
shortage In District revenues and the fact
that the United States was compelled to ad-
vance money to the District to meet its ex-
penses, the Secretary OF the Treasury rec
commended that the estimates be cut down
to $500 600 This sum, the Commission
ers declare, is out of all proportion to the
needs and expenses OF the District, ana ls
Furthermore. q decrease in the amount al
lowed by Congress for the current fiscal
year.
No plan Of dealing with the financial sit
uation has as yet been agreed upon. Ihe
Commissioners will continue these confer
ences. especially with the members Oh the
committees on the District of Columbia,
which, under the rules Of the two houses
must formulate the general ieglSlation re-
quired, until a solution of the problem is
found. Meantime, the House committee on
appropriations desires to proceed with the
preparation of the District of Columbia ap-
preparation bill without awaiting Whatever
action may be taken to meet the hnancial
needs of the District.
Subcommittee's Position.
The subcommittee of which Mr.. McCleary
of Minnesota is chairman accordingly sent
the Commissioners yesterday afternoon the
folio wing communications:
"At a meeting today of the subcommittee
in charge of the District Of Columbia ap-
propriation bill the following resolution
was considered and unanimously agreed to:
Resolved, That the Commissioners be
requested to indicate to the subcommittee
where reductions should be made In their
estimates for 1903 in order to bring their
aggregate down to 81 800 ,00O in accord
ance with the recomm endation Of the Sec
retary of the Treasury.
This action was taken by the subcom-
mittee for the reasons:
Il As stated by the Secretary OF the
Treasury, the estimated revenues Of the
District for the fiscal year 1908 will not
exceed So, $50 900, which amount, together
with a like sum out of the general treas
ury, will aggregate only S7,50O,000.
- Under the law (act of June IL. 1878.
sec. - it is required that, to the extent to
which Congress shall approve the estimates
for the District of Columbia, Congress shall
appropriate 80 per eentum from the United
States treasury, and so per centum out
Of the District revenues, respectively.
due observance of this law and of the
rules of the House forbidding legislation
sum total of the bill be kept within the
amount named.
''3. If the appropriations for the govern
ment of the District Of Columbia during
the fiscal year 1868 are to be made in ex-
cess of 81, 500 600, it is manifestly necessary
that laws be passed to meet such excess,
either by increased taxation, by the issue
of bonds or through authority for addi-
tional advances from the United States
treasury The committee on appropria-
tions have no authority to initiate legisla-
ton to accomplish either purpose, the
House rules comforting such jurisdiction
only upon the committee on the District Of
Columbia. The subcommittee realize that
they cannot await the possibility of such
legislation. and that they must proceed
with due diligence to the preparation and
completion of the bill within the law as it
exists and under the rules Of the House
applicable to appropriation bills
"A By virtue of your official relation to
the affairs of the District of Columbia the
subcommittee realize that you are most
competent to advise and aid them in wisely
distributing and applying the sum of $75OO,-
900 for the support of the District govern
ment during the ensuing fiscal year, and
therefore invoke your cooperation
Request for Postponement.
Commissioner Macfarland requested that
the proposed hearing Of the District Com
missioners before the subcommittee on an
propriations arranged for Monday morning,
be postponed in order that the Commission
ers might, in the meantime carefully and
judiciously comply with the committee's
request to revise their estimates in ac-
cordance with the suggestions of the letter
of Mr. MeCieary, chairman. Mr. Macfar-
land received word this afternoon from the
subcommittee that the hearing would be
postponed until January Z.
1t Is believed, however, that by the time
the District appropriation bill reaches the
Senate, II not before. Congress will indicate
its intention respecting the financial needs
OF the District in such a way that when
the appropriation is finally passed It win
carry adequate provision for the wants of
the District. Congress, 1T is believed. has
no intention of crippling the District or re-
tarding It's development.