Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-15
The Estimates,

Continuing their policy of asking Congress
to appropriate all that the District needs for
suitable current maintenance, while provid-
Ing for the prosecution of the great perma-
nent works now in progress, the Commits
sOners have framed their budget of esti-
mates with grand total exclusive of the
water department, of $40 All .365. 65. This
IS S46S 10 less than last years estimates.
The Commissioners have reduced the budget
from the total of the figures submitted to
them by the subordinate heads of the District
government, aggregating S14,175. 1880. In
addition to these acquisitions projects in
volving an approximate cost of about
100000 had been urged upon the atten-
ton of the Commissioners by individual
citizens and local associations. Thus in
round numbers the Commissioners pruned
off two and three-quarters millions from
the estimates brought to their notice.
The current appropriation law carries a
total of $l0.S1S,134, There is reason to hope
that the new law, to be framed this winter
will carry a larger sum. The estimated
revenues are larger and the needs are
greater, both income and requirements
being in the main proportionate to the in
creasing population. The budget as it now
stands represents meritorious increases and
necessary public improvements, which can
not be scaled without checking the prog
ress of the municipality and neglecting the
equitable requirements of the Districts
faithful servants.
The Commissioners have divided the bud
get into two parts that relating to current
maintenance, for which they ask $S,7S5,-
356.6o, and that providing for the perma-
nent works now in progress or recommend
ed. totaling S3,632000 The general reve-
state, will probably be So, 462 325 during the
coming fiscal year, which. with deductions
for interest on the federal advances, will
yield. with treasury money on a dollar-for
dollar basis a total of $40 sc, 900, for the
maintenance of the capital during the year.
Thus the estimates for current require
ments are less by $1,I74 ,694 than the reve-
nues available for that purpose, leaving the
balance to be applied to the liquidation of
the accommodating debt to the federal treas
ury.
This debt will total S4,S14 50 by the
30th of next June, exclusive of such sums
as may be added to 1t by the deficiency and
Immediately available appropriations of the
coming session of Congress. On that date
also, will be due 100000 to the Baltimore
and Ohio railroad on the terminal improve
ment account. 1t Is certain that the debt
to the treasury will be increased during
the fiscal year following, for Congress can
not conceivably abandon its present policy
of appropriating in fair measure for both
current and extraordinary needs regardless
of the exact size of the prospective local
revenues. The Commissioners will once
again ask Congress to adopt a more salts
factory plan of financing this Indebtedness
by putting the annual advances from the
While the present method does not bear
heavily now upon the taxpayers, they are
by no means satisfied with the system and
would prefer an arrangement by law which
will insure that a propOrtionate part of the
cost of the permanent works for the execu-
ton of which this debt Is incurred, shall be
paid by the taxpayers of the future.