Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-29
Secretary Shaw to Forward
District Estimates as Made.
CONGRESS TO DECIDE
OF CURRENT Elk
PENsEs FROM IMPROVEMENTS.
Commissioner Macfarland's Letter Of
Explanation-The Special Items
in the Budget.

Secretary Shaw Of the treasury. 1t is I'M
derstood, will forward the estimates of the
Commissioners to Congress without cutting
them in any way. 1t is said the Secretary
was led to this conclusion by letter ad-
dressed to him few days ago by Mr. Mac
farland, president of the board of Commits
sioners explaining the position of the au-
thorities with regard to separating the cur
rent expenses and the permanent projects
of improvements in making appropriations
Secretary Shaw has decided to let Congress
deal with the entire matter of advances
ETC., and will send in the Commissioners
estimates just as they were forwarded to
him.
1t will be remembered that last year the
then Secretary of the Treasury, Mr.. Gage,
recommended a cut of more than S2,000,00O
in the Commissioners estimates. His rec
ommendation necesstated the entire revis-
ion of the estimates. When the Commits
sioners appeared before the committees of
Congress, however, most of the eliminated
items were refnstated and the appropria-
tons were as liberal as the Commissioners
had anticipated. Advances from the treas
ury were provided for. If the Commission
ers' estimates are followed out in entirety
by Congress in making appropriations for
the coming fiscal year there will be another
deficit, brought about by extensive expendi-
lures on the permanent projects. The let
ter written by Commissioner Mcfarland to
the Secretary of the Treasury explains the
matter in a thorough manner and indicates
the ground upon which Secretary Shaw has
based his determination not to make cut.
The Commissioners Letter.
1t follows
ITO the Secretary Of the Treasury
Sir: The Commissioners of the District
of Columbia desire to invite your attention
to certain facts in relation to the estimates
for appropriations for the District of Co
lumbia for the fiscal year ending June 30
1904. recently presented by them to you for
transmission to Congress. The total amount
of the estimates thus submitted is $10,S72,-
372- other than those payable out Of the
water fund.
while we have as yet no official esti-
mate of the revenues of the District of
Columbia for the fiscal year ending June
30, 1904 because the rei-ennial assessment
of the real estate of the District Of Column
bia. the assessment Of personal property.
and the issuance of licenses under the act
of July l, 1902, are not yet completed, we
have unofficial estimates indicating that the
increase of revenue accruing from the re-
assessment of real estate and the new per-
sonal tax and license law. will bring the
total revenue of the District of Columbia
for the fiscal year 1904 to an amount ex-
ceeding s5OOOOGO, and it will probably
reach the sum Of s. 100000. On the basis
Of the latter amount, the total amount
available on account Of the expenditures
or the District or Columbia Tor the nScal
year 1904 would be $l0,SO0.OO0.
The Commissioners are aware that
under the provision for advances from the
treasury of the United States to the Dis
trict of Columbia. on account Of general
expenses. during the last and present fiscal
year. made necessary by the diversion of
District revenues by Congress and by the
demands of extraordinary improvements
1t is estimated. owe the United States
treasury on the list of July 1903, 81 SOL
726.15. which must be repaid in three an
nual installmants, with interest on the de-
ferred payments.
Distinction Made
THE Commissioners respectfully request,
however, that in considering their estl-
mates before transmitting them to Con-
gress, you should take into account the
fact that, in the preparation of their esti-
mates and the presentation of their argu-
ments in support of them to Congress, the
Commissioners make a distinction between
items of current expenditure and items re-
quired for extraordinary projects of i'm
provement. Extraordinary projects of i'm
provement, calling for large amounts of
money. to be expended in a brief period of
time while the benefit of the improvements
is to be shared by the people Of the future,
are provided everywhere except in the Dis
trict of Columbia by borrowing money
winch Is repaid Win interest by a SINKING
fund arrangement. The Commissioners of
the District of Columbia have no authority
to borrow money for this purpose.
They have recommended to Congress that
the money needed for these extraordinary
improvements which urgently recon-
mended by them necessary. should be
provided either by an Issue Of bonds or by
advance from the treasury of the United
States. with the provision In either case for
a suita BILE sinking fund The opposition to
an issue of bonds for the District of Column
bia is so strong that Congress has shown
no disposition to authorize that method Of
meeting the needs of this case.
Therefore, the Commissioners determined
to ask only for advances from the treas
ury of the United States. Congress has
already, in response to the request of the
Commissioners. authorized such advances
to meet the DEFICIENCIES in the District rev.
enues on account of general expenses
and it is estimated that by the LIST of July
next the treasury of the United States will
have advanced TO the District of Columbia
81 ,9ol, 72615, under this legislation.
Suggested Separation.
But the Commissioners hope that Con-
gress may adopt their recommendation to
separate the appropriations for extraor-
binary improvements for those for current
dema nds and provide. by advances from
the United States treasury for the former.
The current revenues would then provide
amply for current expenditures and sink
ing fund that would extingulsh the obliga-
ton of the District to the United States
Treasury in a limited period of time. In
the estimates for the next fiscal year the
Commissioners have included at least four
projects which should properly be consid-
cred extraordinary improvements to be
provided for by advances from the treas
ury. with provision for sinking fund. These
projects, with the amount estimated as
necessary for the next fiscal year are as
follows:
Filtration plant 81 46S 405; sewage dis
posal system 1855 900; municipal hospital,
S2o000O Connecticut avenue bridge, $780,
CO., making total of 50, 1888 4O3
This being deducted from the gross
amount OF the estimate, would leave a net
amount. chargeable properly. in great part,
to current expenditures Of SIS, 4SS 061. This
f0pefhar wit ba