The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-07
Its Needs Presented to
Congress as Framed by
the Commissioners.
AN EXPLANATORY LETTER
Distinction tween Current
and Extraordinary Ex-
penditureS.

The report of the Commissioners Of
the District of Columbia for the fiscal
year ended June 80. 1913, and the com
plete budget Of estimates for the eX-
penses of the District during the fiscal
year ending June 80, 1895, were stimuli
taneously transmitted to Congress to-
day. the report being included with the
Presidents message. and the estimates
accompanying the budget submitted by
the Secretary of the Treasury. The re-
port appears on another page.
The report is comprehensive, and de-
tails the manner in which the affairs Of
the District have been conducted. The
estimates are transmitted the same as
drafted by the Commissioners, and call
for an appropriation OF S13.O17.5S1. When
advised that the Secretary Of the
Treasury made no deduction whatsO-
ey1er. Commissioner Afacfarland, as
president of the Board 81 Commission
ers, said:
Commissioners Gratifed.
1T is very gratifying that the Secre-
tary OF the Treasury has transmitted
the estimates of the Commissioners for
the Districts needs for the next fiscal
year without recomm ending any reduc-
lion. HIS action leaves the Commits
sioners free from the embarrassment
which cost US so much time and effort
Two years ago. when Secretary Gage
recommended a deep cut in the District
estimates. 1t aids US greatly in pre-
senting the matter ~ Congress. where
/ have no doubt IL viii have most care
full consideration. with a view TO a set
Element of a permanent and satisfactory
character.
The letter OF the Commissioners
which we have thrice brought TO the
attention of Congress. The temporary
provision made expires on the 1st OF
July next. and il Is 20 be expected that
Congress Will take a broad and busi-
ness-lilze view in making a permanent
arrangement. which. VIZ hope. VIII be
on the basis Of distinguishing between
extraordinary projects Of Improvement
and current expenditures. neither OF
ch should suffer. and both CT which
can be provided for. so far as the. Dis
tr,ct is concerned. w thCut difficulty, II
the Commissioners plan is adopted"
Situation Explained.
The estimates We're not cut last year
by the Secretary Of the Treasury, but
two years ago Secretary Gage, not real
iZing the importance Of dinerentiating
between extraordinary and current ex.
penditures, made such o large de6uc>
tion that the plans Of tie Commission
ers were completely upset Last year
they transmitted 10 the Secretary Of the
Treasury. with the estimates. a letter
explaining the situation and arguing
against the policy OF paving for extra
ordinary improvements out OF current
revenues
This year a similar letter was ad-
dressed TO the Secretary, a portion OF
which follows:
Under extraordinary improvements,
the Commissioners class al those items
which relate to unusual projects OF i'm.
provement calling for large amounts or
money in a comparatively short space
OF time. although their benefits are to
be enjoyed Tor long periods.
1t is recognized everywhere that the
cost OF such improvements cannot be
met out OF current revenues, and ought
TO be spread over series Of years, and
therefore 1t is customary elsewhere to
provide for them by Issuing bonds and
providing a sinking fund 10 meet the
principal and interest Of the bonds.
District Must Borrow.
1T is not necessary for the United
states to issue bonds or TO borrow
money in any way on account Of its
share Of such expenditures in the Dis
Irict Of Columbia. 1t has ample funds
I'm hand for that purpose. But IT is nee
essary for the District Of Columbia,
which is likely any other municipality
in thu. respect, 70 borrow money to meet
its hare Of the cost On such improve
ments. because its current revenues can
NOT bear Immediately such extraordi-
nary demands without such a reduction
g., fssr--erst endfftree . v would crirrle
All the District services.
Fer example. the estimates for ex-
traordinary improvements submitted by
the Commissioners for next year (Which
do not include payments required by
act OF Congress from the District. for
the railway terminal and highway bridge
imprUyements) amount 10 Sf6z5. fJ5,
which IN itself Is nearly as much as the
total estimated revenue Of the District