The Washington times., 1901-12-14
CONCERN OVER
DISTRICT FUNDS.
Congress May Provide Spec
ial Legislation.
THE ESTIMATES TO Be CUT DOWN.
House Appropriation Committee
Declares It's Lack Of Power in the
Situation-DeAnes the Law and
Practice.


The deplorable condition of the District
finances Is likely to prove a hindrancc ia
smooth sailing in the preparation Of the
Appropriation bill for the next fiscal wear
There is an apparent dencit in the reve-
nues for the last fiscal year of about
S22o Ooo. and the Auditor stated in his an
nual report that this sum would pro, ably
be Increased before the close OF the pres-
ent fiscal year.
This condition OF affairs is further com
pltcated by the estimates of the Commits
sioners aggregaung more than $40 900 900.
and by the recommendation OF Secretary
Gage, accompanying the estimates 10
Congress. that the aggregate of the Dis
trict expenses be cut down to s.. 500 0o5
for the next fiscal year
solution of the Problem.
The Commissioners have conferred from
time TO time with Senators and Rerre-
sentatives relative to the financial situa-
tion OF the District. with a view to pro-
viding adequate anpropriatiops for lis
needs. II is understood that no plan has
as yet been agreed upon. The Commits
sioners, it is understood. will continue
these conferences, especially with the
iaembers Of the Committees on the Dis
tTict Of Columbia, which. under the rules
OF the two houses. must formulate the
general legislation required, until solu-
tion OF the problem is found
Meantime. the House Committee on An
preparations desires TO proceed with the
preparation OF the District Appropriation
Ia -u.I. -.-e.
be taken TO meet the financial needs Cf
the District. With that in view the sub
committee OF which Mr.. McCleary OF Min
nesota is chairman. yesterday addressed
she Commissioners. informing them cf
resolution recently passed by the commit
tee, and setting forth the reasons there
for. The resolution calls upon the Com
Eissioners to indicate to the committee
where reductions may be made in their
estimates SO as TO bring the expenses Of
phe District within the limit OF S7.590.eo0
for the coming fiscal year.
Reasons for the Cut.
The committee state that their action
was taken for reasons as follows.
AS stated by the Secretary Of the
Treasury. the estimated revenues Of the
District fer the fiscal year 1903 will not
exceed $4,000. which amount. together
with like sum out OF the General Treas-
Wy, viii aggregate only 81 500 eC0.
Under the law tact Of June H. 1873
section 81 it is required that. TO the ex-
tent to which Congress shall approve the
estimates for the District Of Columbia
Congress shall appropriate 50 rer centum
from the United States Treasury and 50
per centum out CT The District revenues.
A due observance Of this law and of Ithe
rules OF The House forbidding leg:tlatien
upon appropriation bills requires that the
sum total Of the bin be kept within the
amount named.
Special Legislative Needs.
IF the appropriations for tho govern
meut OF the District of Columbia during
the FISCAL year 1903 are to be made in cx-
cess Of $7.500,0OO IL is manifestly neces-
sary that laws be passed to meet such ex-
cess. either by increased taxation By the
issue OF bonds. or through auti Gritty for
additional advances from the United
States Treasury. The Committee on Ap-
preparations have no authority te initiate
legislation to accomplish either purpose.
the House rules comforting such snrisdic-
tion only upon the Committee on the Dis
trict cf Columbia. The subcommittee
realize that they cannot await the possi-
bilty Of such legislation and that they
must proceed with due diligence to the
preparation and completion OF the bin
within the law as it exists and under the
rules OF The House applicable 10 appro-
pTiatioa bills.
by yir4 ue OF your eTlcial relation to
the Affairs Of the District Of Columbia the
subcommittee realize that you are most
competent 10 advise and aid them in
wisely distributing and applying the sum
OF 81 zoe. coo for the support Of tie Dis
trict government during The ensuing fiscal
year and therefore invoke your cC-opera-
ton.
Commissioners VIII Reply.
Facing the new situation, 1t is under
stood that the Commissioners will reply
asking that the conferences with the sub
committee on the District Appropriation
bill. which were TO begin next Monday.
may be deferred. in order to give the
Commissioners time to comply properly
with the request OF the subcommittee
II is believed that by the time the Dis
trict Appropriation bill reaches the SEN
ate. if not before. Congress viii indicate
its intention respecting the financial
needs OF the District in such a way that
when the appropriation bill IS finally |
passed il viii carry adequate provisions |
Tor the wants OF the District. Congress, |
a. is believed. has no intention Of Grip |
pling the District or retarding its de- |
yelopment.
The District Commissioners held a con-
ference yesterday at the Capitol with |
Representative Cannon, chairman Of the |
Appropriations Committee. chairman Of |
the District Committee, and Representa- |
tive McCieary chairman Of the sub-com- |
mittee on appropriations. They went over |
ia general and In an informal way the /
aGsirs and the needs OF the District, and |
several urgent matters were mentioned /
specifically.
The Commissioners were assured that |
Congress intended TO deal as literally as |
possible with the National Capital A !
further conference viii probably be held |
today. and another viii take place on |
Monday.
TEMPEST IN FRANCE.