Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-15
The District and the Treasury.

A rote of warning is sounded by Repre-
senta tive McCleary, who is likely to be
named as the next chairman of the House
appropriations committee, that Congress
may be compelled to trim the District
budget to suit the somewhat depleted condi-
ton of the federal treasury, This sugges-
tton is familiar. The District has heard 1t
from year to year IN varying terms, and,
indeed. 1t now rather looks forward to IL as
one of the first words of each sessions dis
cussion Of the ways and means for the de-
velopment and maintenance of the true
national capital.
Mr.. McCleary has been one of the Dis
trict's best friends in Congress- displaying
clear view of the local needs and liberal
disposition in meeting them. 1t is crafty
ing to know that so well-informed and gem
erously inclined legislator is slated for
promotion to the first place on the House
committee. But even Mr.. McCleary over
looks the fact that many of the Districts
urgent needs of today, calling for large APP
proprlations and swelling the estimates, are
the result of the neglect of past sessions.
Had the absolute requirements of the cap
ital been fully considered heretofore, and
had the great. permanent Improvements
been properly financed, there would not to-
day be such heavy acquisitions upon the
federal treasury to balance equal sums
from the local sources of revenue.
The District has seriously suffered In the
past because II has been one of the first
objects of arpropriative legislation to feel
the pinch OF economy. When there is a large
treasury surplus the federal money is lib
orally spent in river and harbor works and
other public betterments, and the District
gets only it's small share of the good times.
When there is a deficit, the pinch of saw
ing is felt most seriously by the capital,
which has never, at any stage of it's ca
reer. been given q fully adequate revenue
for construction and maintenance.
1t is quite true, as Mr.. McCreary says,
that Rome was not built in a day. and also
that the national capital has been already
in course of evolution for more than
century. 1t is far from the ideal stage of
development yet, and unless Congress soon
votes to finance its great improvements of
a permanent character upon a business ba
sis and assure the funds for the prompt
execution of needed works without curtail-
ing the current maintenance funds, this
particular Rome will never quite reach the
stage of approximate completion. What is
urgently needed this year. as for many
years past, is definite program or policy
regarding the capital. 1t needs a legisla-
tive enactment distinctly adopting certain
plans for capital development and a we'll
considered project for financing the cost,
without reference to the annual fluctuations
OF the federal balances and also without
Gripping the Districts own treasury by
forcing 1t to meet on a cash-payment basis
the expense of constructing the large per-
manent improvements.
The District suffers today from an In
adequate maintenance equipment because
it has never quite caught UP with
its needs, but has been forced to
contrive and devise ways and means
for spreading its revenues out thin
to cover a broad surface II has led a hand
to-mouth existence and one result is the
sudden pressure of urgently needed works
for early approval and execution. Postpone
ment of these works from session TO session
not only deprives the District of their ben
eft. but causes an ultimate increase in the
cost. 1t IS economy to provide now. regard
less OF the federal balances, for all that Is
needed 10 make Washington the model cap
ttal city which its founders designed It to be
and which it's best friends, in and out of
Congress, earnestly desire 1t TO be,