Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-26
The Annual Argument.

Tomorrow opens the annual effort OF the
Commissioners to convince the appropria-
lions committee of the House OF Represeh-
tatives that the District of Columbia Is en-
titled to treatment similar to that granted
to every other municipality in the Cmted
States by it's fiscal guardians Ihey nave
submitted estimates aggregating more thal
$1,000 900 on the basis of d computed reVe-
nue. for the next fiscal year somewhat less
than this amount. They justify their esu-
mates on the score of the character OF the
largest items in the budget making pro-
vision for the continuation and the COM
mencement of great public works or per
manent character. designed chiefly Tor the
comfort and benefit and profit of future
genera lions of taxpayers. They have rea-
sonably urged that such works should DE
financed after the fashion of all other per-
manent improvements, whether undertaken
by municipality or private corporation; that
is by means of borrowed money, with
proper provision for repayment.
The Commissioners have tie very best of
arguments to justify their course. They
have abundant examples in the financial
management of other communities. They
have long record of local current needs
skimped and neglected in order that the
District revenues may be utilized to defray
the cost of permanent works on cash
basis and in some cases to permit Congress
to apply the local tax revenues exclusively
to the account of improvements which
should be financed equally with United
States money on the federal partnership
principle
The Commissioners will doubtless be con-
fronted with the answer to their proposition
which has been returned heretofore to the
same suggestion. They will be told that
Congress is already financing the Districts
needs on a credit basis by providing for
annual advances from the federal treasury
TO make good whatever deficiency may
occur in the local revenues. This is true,
but 1t is not enough The District asks
for genuine longterm credit, such as all
other cities are given in the money market
whenever they wish to erect public build
ings and school houses. build sewers, elm
mate grade crossings-when the railroads
dodge their rightful share of the expense
and extend streets. 1t wants to pay for
these items along period of at least TWEEN
ty years and to have the refunding process
so adjusted that at no time during that
period will the current needs be necessarily
neglected. 1t wants its taxpayers given
local treasury in the form of a thoroughly
up-to-date administration. municipal gov
eminent perfectly equipped with all facili-
ties for the education. protection and ad-
yancement of the community.
1t is not enough for the congressional
economists to say that the District gets
this sort of thing now. 1t does not 1t is
suffering today. as it will continue to suf-
fer as long the present halfway credit
system is in vogue, from uncertain bal
ances curtailed appropriations, :, crippled
municipal departments ard general fail
ure fully to reach the requisite standard of
national capital. The issue which the
Commissioners estimates offer Is clear cut:
Shall the District. the seat of government
be treated parsimpniously and unjustly. or
shall 1t be treated fairly and literally? In
the end the capitals development under
the latter policy will cost no more than
under the former, but the citys growth will
be marked by quicker and grander results