Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-03-09
THE DISTRICT FUNDS LOW
sum SET APART FOR CONTINGENCIES
GREATLY REDUCED.
Employees Denied the Luxury of Ice
Coroner Nevitt's Allowance
Drops to $4S.

Economy is the watchword in the District
government offices at present, and only
economy of the strictest kind will pull the
authorities through until July 1. when the
new appropriations will become available.
The contingent fund appropriated for the
District government, and which has to bear
innumeraole expenses. is at a low ebb. and
expenditures are being made from il only
for the most immediate necessities.
The officials and clerks of the executive
offices have been without the luxury of ice
water for some weeks now and not until
real hot weather sets in viii the halls of the
District building resound with the heavy
tread of the 'iceman' on his daily rounds.
Ihat individual at present has no stand
ing in the District government. His ia
mlfiar form is now simply a matter of rec
objection. The large coolers situated at in
tervals about the building and bearing the
legend ice water" stand gaunt and empty
deserted. The running hydrants are now
the Mecca Of those who seek the oueuchins
qualities of straight Potomac
Coroner hewitt has today but s4S to the
credit of his office to meet all expenses IN
I'll the coming of July, and against this
meager amount there is an outstanding bill
Of s64 for the taking Of testimony in the
inquest over the body Of Fireman c. A.
keefe, who was killed In the collision be-
tween Truck and street car at Connec-
dcut avenue and M street. There is
dehcit in the coroner's department and st
must be met
Auditor Petty is at present considering
the matter, and is of the opinion that the
EXPENSES of autopsies. inquests and the
disposition Of dead bodies may be paid out
of the $1,000 emergency fund created by
Congress to be used in cases of fire, pesti-
lence, flood and in all cases of emergency
not otherwise sufficiently provided for. The
general expenses of the coroners Office, Ii
is believed, however, will have to wait
payment until a deficiency bill is passed
by the next Congress. Auditor Petty de-
clares that he will be ready to report upon
the matter probably Monday.
What Caused Deficiency.
The cause of the deficiency in the coro-
ner's Office is due, it is stated, to the ex-
traordinarily large number of cases with
which he has had to deal during the past
year. Witness fees, etc., have eaten into
the appropriation heavily, as we'll as the
jury expenses. etc.
No provision was made for the Office In
the last deficiency bill, and it is said, SO
far as is known none was asked by the
coroner. The deficiency does not affect
that officers salary. as that is provided
for under a separate appropriation. The
sum Of 81 200 Is annually appropriated for
the expense of the office.
In regard to the shortage In the con-
tingent fund Commissioner Macfarland
stated that the Commissioners asked for
an appropriation Of $4,000 for the current
year and were allowed but s23, 500. For the
fiscal year beginning July 1 next the sum
has been increased to s24 $50. The ex-
penses Of the District offices have grown
greatly in the last few years, owing to In
creased work, correspondence, etc, and it
is stated that only an appropriation Of
$4,000 will carry the business comfortably
through the year.
The fund covers the expenses for all
printing, clocks, books, stationery, detec-
ton of fraud on the revenue, repairs Of
market houses, painting, surveying instru-
ments and implements. binding, reminding
and preservation Of all records, damages
care Of horses not otherwise provided for,
fuel, ice, gas repairs, insurance, repairs to
pound and vehicles and other general nee
essary expenses Of the District offices.
Requires Close Figuring.
1t will be seen that only the closest fig
uring can make the appropriation last
throughout the year, and the contingent
expenses do not permit Of deficiency.
There is no provision in law for a def
cheney in this respect. At the beginning Of
each fiscal year the Commissioners appoint
committee to apportion the contingent
fund among the various departments. To-
ward the latter part of the year. in case
appropriation, ii lends the money to a de-
partment in need, and so matters are some
times fixed up and a crisis tided over.
The strictest economy is being practiced
In regard to all office supplies, etc. In case
the fund will not permit of the purchase Of
ice when the hot weather sets in, the
clerks are planning to bear the expense Of
the luxury among themselves until the new
appropriations become available.