The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-12-06


the President. and il was transmitted
by him to Congress. It IS stated that
the totat appropriations provided for the
fiscal year 1904, exclusive OF those for the
Water Department, amounted 10 1885,
379.A.
The total net expenditures for the
year, exclusive Of those for the Water
Department. and expenditures on &C
count OF special and trust funds, were
S3,O7s. sos. %, the details OF which appear
in the accompanying report Of the Audi
tor.
The revenues of the Water Depart
ment during the year 1904. including re-
payments, amounted TO S44S,On.70. The
balance in the water fund at the be
ginning Of that year was S32S, OSS.Si, max
ing a total.of the revenues and repay
ments available for expenditure during
said year Of s7l, 1864.
Advances From Treasury.
During the year the Indebtedness of
the District for advances from the
United States Treasury, in pursuance or
the provisions of law contained in the
District appropriation act approved
March g, 1903, and similar provisions in
prior acts. on account OF the proper
tionate part OF appropriations payable
from the revenues OF the District in ex-
cess OF said revenues. was reduced from
81, 65s. 517.5l, the amount due the United
states July /. 1906. TO 81. s4s. 66l. 60. includ-
ing the payment OF S53.070.35. interest
on the former amount, making re-
duction in the actual debt OF the DIS
trict 10 the United States on account or
such advances Of S503, sos.
II the total appropriations Tor Mhle IN
81
June 80 1904 had been expended. mclud-
ing charges for interest on advances, al
Vances from the Treasury aggregatlns
8, SO, 40, would have been required
Bonded Indebtedness.
The funded debt Of the District OF Co
lumbia on June so. 1904. was Sl2. $50, 4So.ls,
AL Of which was incurred under the
forms Of local government which exist
ed in the District prior 10 July 1. 1873.
The Assessor reports the assessment
OF taxable real and personal property
in the District OF Columbia for the fiscal
year ended June 30. 1901. based upon
valuation Of all real estate lat not less
than two-thirds" Of its true value there
of. and OF a valuation OF personal prop
erty at "a fair cost value over and
above the exemptions" provided by law
pursuant 10 the provisions OF the act OF
Congress approved July I 49t-I Git ~
An act making appropriations 10 prO-
vide for the expenses OF the government
or the District Of Columbia for the rs
cal year ending June 80, 1888, an for
other purposes" as follows:
washington city. $174.345. 708; Wash
ington county, SIS, 904, 40; total assessed
value of taxable real estate, SZl3, 20, ais
personal property, $2osil, 900. Il street rail-
way taxes on gross receipts. So. 74l. Isl 81
total assessed value Of taxable real es-
tate and personal property In the Dis
trict OF Columbia on June 90, 1904, &z59,-
SCI 660.63.
The rate Of general tax on real and
personal property by the act OF July J.
1902 above mentioned, was fixed al Sl-6C
per 500 OF the assessed valuation.
Population of District.
Based upon the census OF 1900 and the
normal rate OF increase, the Commits
sioners estimate the population Of the
District 10 be approximately 10000.
Extraordinary improvements.
When the Commissioners began the
preparation OF the estimates for the ap-
preparations for the istrict or Columbia
for the next fiscal year they found that
the recommendations made 20 them
through Official channels amounted IN
the aggregate 10 S14l75. Leo; that the
estimated revenues Of the District for
the next fiscal year amounted 10 35.462, =
go; that charged upon these revenues
was an interest payment estimated at
$50. 600. due the United States on the LIST
OF July next on advances made 70 the
District. and also the sum OF $3.50. %.
pledged the Baltimore and Ohio Rail
road Company on terminal improve
ments.
lii was obvious that II the estimate,
were 10 be brought within the amount
.F4lF nm "a
must be cut so deeply as either 10 sus
pend the completion or the extraordinary
projects Of Improvement authorized and
directed by Congress and prevent any
new project OF that kind from being con
sidered by Congress, or 10 so cripple as
10 practically suspend the different ser
vices ~ the District government. II val
equally obvious that neither Of thest
things could be done without injury I,
the public Interests and without COndem.
nation By public opinion. The Commits
siouers had hoped that they would not
again be faced by this embarrassing di
lemma.
Some Form Of Advances.
Everywhere else such extraordinary
projects which are 10 beueft the futur,
and are too costly 10 be paid for out Of
current revenues are provided for by
borrowing amounts which are 10 be re
Maid sn reasonable time, thus saving tn,
current revenues ia great part Tor cur
rent expenditures. II was not a ques
lion whether the District should incui
Indebtedness for this purpose, for tina
obligation was imposed when Congress
provided for the construction OF the m
tratfOn plant, the sewage disposal sys
lem the District government building
etc carried on cOntcmporaneOusly
making an unparalleled amount or eX
traOrdinary Improvement II was Onil
q -0uestion Of how the Districts Obliga
tIon could be best met without interior
ing with its current needs.
Knowing that Congress would not au
.thofize a bond ISSUE such as would d.
made elsewhere for this purpose. IN
"Reminiscences recommended that al
1-auces should be made from the Unite
states Treasury by the partner, IA
T6ited States. 10 the partner. the Dis
trict OF Columbia. the former hayinl