Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-23

DESPITE all the IN sslilable arguments
advanced in support of n busness-lke sys-
tenn of financial d IiHistration for the Dis
trict the House preparations committee
has again framed tie capitals budget on
the lines of those of the past few years.
1t appropriates in excess of the anticipated
revenues and provides that the deficit thus
formed shall be made good by means of adj
vances from the federal treasury, to be re-
paid by the District within a very short
period. rapidly, in fact, as the local rev.
enues will allow. Thus is added another
portion to the accommodating deficit which
is to be refunded on the basis of cash pay
ments for the great works which are caus-
ing these extraord nary drains on the funds.
The figures of the bill are suggestive in
point of showing the injustice of this
method. The estimates called for So, SS4 S25.
These were deiibera tely framed in excess
of the revenues, and the Commissioners
asked for a long-terTn funding provision on
a definite basis in order to meet the deficit
thus invited The bill the largest and in
some respects the most liberal that ever
came from the House committee on appro-
priations, carries $10,Oj9.0I1. or 1891, 191 in
excess of the expected revenues, thus
insuring at the very least that amount
of addition to the existing deficit and
re-estabshing the principle of antici-
pating future revenues. 1t Furthermore
acknowledges the necessity for providing
in the course of the annual appropriation
bill for the extraordinary projects now
under way, such as the filtration plant and
the removal of the grade crossings. These
two items alone call for S1,26S. 155. $300,0G0
of that sum being for grade crossing work,
lnn
ent deficiency bill.
Having thus recognized the principle of
appropriating in excess of the expected rev.
enues and that of providing in the course
of annual appropriations and coincidentally
with the provision for current needs for the
extraordinary projects, the committee has
insisted upon adhering to the inequitable
system of financing this Indebtedness which
had been adopted
The Commissioners proposed. the citi-
zens of the District generally indorsing
their suggestion, that this debt, thus in
CURED for the sake of the future greatness
of Washington, be financed on a definite
long-term basis The House committee
insists that the District shall pay back it's
deficit virtually from current revenues, in
different to the fact that those revenues
are being year by year mortgaged on an
indefinite basis. The Commissioners pro-
posed a specific and equitable period of re-
payment, the committee substitutes an i'm
possible period of a year. it being absolute
ly certain that next year the same stua-
ton will be presented the appropriations
exceeding the revenues and another portion
being added tc the deficit. For this bud
get. though very large, does not include
all the extraordinary needs. it does not fully
satisfy the increased current requirements
of the District. which form a large part of
the Commissioners increased estimates.
While this bill, as it stands. carries 81 ,30J,-
$50 more than the current law. it should not
be forgotten that large part of this in
crease lies in the two items already men,
toned those for the filtration plant and
the grade crossing elimination both of
which ought to be financed on a long term
basis.
There is yet time to correct the bill in its
basic principles of financing this heavy bur-
den. AS it stands. although more adequate
1y providing for the District than has any
preceding bill at this stage it continues the
injustice of the past few years and adds
heavily to the difficulties OF the Districts
people and their administrators.