Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-17
A Moderate Budget.

Analysis of the Commissioners estimates
discloses the fact that they are moderate
and reasonable. The bare fact that the
grand total exceeds the estimated reve-
nues-the joint contributions of the Dis
trict taxpayers and the federal government
docs not affect this conclusion. 1t is i'm
possible at this stage of the Districts de-
velopment to maintain 1t and at the same
time to provide for it's extraordinary needs
of equipment without exceeding the sum of
the local tax revenues multiplied by two.
This has been the condition for several
years and the result is the accumulation
of a debt to the United States which, it is
estimated. will by the end of the current
fiscal year amount to S4,951 $685. on the
face of the account but in fact will reach
only the total of So POI ,939.S7. inasmuch as
s1.750.O00 already appropriated for certain
large works will not have been expended
by that time.
The annual local budget has for some
time carried provision for the current main
tenance of the District and also for the
extraordinary works of improvement such
as the abolition of grade crossings, the
construction of the municipal building. the
laying of sewers, the extension of high
ways. the erection of bridges and various
other items of permanent betterment. 1t
has at the same time borne the burden of
annual payments upon the debt to the
treasury. thus from year to year prevent
ing the total from mounting at more
rapid rate, while the money advanced by
the government under this arrangement
has been expended.
The Commissioners have estimated in
fact. for only one large item of perma-
nent improvement. the establishment Of
high pressure fire service. This project has
been presented to Congress for approval for
a number of seasons, always with the
strong Endorsement OF the entire commun-
fly and with the hearty recommendation
of the Commissioners. They are fully JUS
titled in urging 1t again, and 1t Is to be
hoped that they will press 1t vigorously
upon Congress for adoption. 1t is a meas
ure OF economy. despite the large expendi-
ture involved When this service is installed
the fire department will be freed from the
necessity of heavy annual increases OF
equipment for 1t will serve in lieu of
large number of steamer companies In the
heart of the city 1t will furthermore rem
der Washington practically immune from
large fires. Every consideration Of public
safety as well as economy of municipal adj
mnistration urges it's prompt Endorsement
by Congress and its rapid execution.
The Secretary of the Treasury has the
power under the law to- reduce the esti-
mates 10 an exact parity with the. .esti
mated revenues regardless of the peculiar
circumstances of this case. If he acts in
accordance with the equities of the Dis
tricts needs and rights he will pass the
figures on to Congress without change.
They are not extravagant Stripped of the
annual provisions for the liquidation of the
debt to the federal government and the
heavy annual OUTLAWS for the extraordin-
airy works. the budget Is exceptionally mod
est in total it is reasonable in specific
terms. The increases in the maintenance
funds asked by the Commissioners are JUS
titled by the circumstances. The salary ad-
vances are warranted by the growth of
the public business. 1t Is becoming in
creasingly difficult for the District govern
ment to retain in the service the men
who have grown up In the work and are
annually more valuable to the community.
They are earning more money than the
budget allows them in salaries and they
should be paid in proportion to the difficulty
and responsibility of their tasks.