Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-29
POLICE Cuuhf tUAD SHORT
GENERAL APPROPRIATION IS
| NEARLY EXHAUSTED.
Officials Wondering How They Are
. to Replenish Exchequer-Judge
Kimball's Suggestion.

The general fund appropriated by Con-
gress last July for the running expenses
of the Police Court for the current year
is practically exhausted. and the judges.
in consequence. have found themselves In
a quandry where to look for sufficient
money to pay for the actual needs of the
new building until the next appropriation
Is available In July. a request was
made in letter by Judge Kimbal to the
BOARD Of District Commissioners today
asking for remittance of $500 from
the general contingent fund OF the Dis
trict to assist the Police Court officials
in their present condition.
II is doubtful, however. il the Com
missioners can assist. as it Is stated the
.und for the Police Court is a direct con-
gressional appropriation. and there is
question whether under the circumstance:
the Commissioners can legally turn over
cash appropriated for other matters and
not provided for by specific appropria-
ton.
Matters have come to such a turn in the
Police Court, it Is said, that remedy
must be found somewhere or the alterna-
tive of no fuel. no gas, no electric current
and other necessities Will stare the au-
thorties in the face. The appropriation
entirely expended except for a small bal
ance Of between $50 and SO.
Immediate Need Manifest.
1t was sad today by those who have
the management of the building that II
no funds are available by the middle OF
March to meet current expenses the boiler
fires, the telephone service, gas and cleo
trio light, the cleaning Of the building and
the removal OF refuse must come to a.
halt. At the present time there IL suni-
&c To- t1,, hrtlo 70 N
heat for the building for about two weeks
and under the circumstances it will BIT
absolutely impossible to procure an adj
ditional supply.
Speaking Of the present state of af-
fairs, Judge Kimba.l said today: 1.-THE
proper authorities have had the fact
brought to their attention that 81, $50 was
inadequate to run large building like
this as far back as last July, and upon
several occasions since then. This is q
large building and the expenses for the
year have been calculated at the very
lowest possible cost at $1,000, and this
figure Is actually too low. l have COM
municated with the District Commission
trust that some way can be found to tide
us over until the next appropriation is
available"
His Only Alternative.
Judge Kimball added that he would
|
lowance in the urgent deficiency bill re-
Gently, but the bill was made up and for
warded to Congress sooner than he an
ticipated. and he has appealed to the Com
missioners as the ony alternative. Be-
fore the matter came to a climax both
judges. 1t is stated. called the attention OF
the respective committees in Congress to
the small amount OF the fund provided
for running the Police Court building, but
~ 1, 1Nx.e,S 49, 1.
part OF these committees to avoid the
present difficulty.
Previous to the building Of the new
Police Court the current expenses were
drawn for the old courts from the general
contingent fund of the District, and were
II is stated, from 81, 800 to $1,7O0 a year.
With the finishing of the new building.
however, arrangements were competed
to have Congress appropriate q separate
fund, and this was done last July. In ad-
dition to the increase in the size of the
building and the natural rise in the ex-
pense for its proper care and for run
ming it properly, the number of attaches
to the courts was asked for and increased
from eighteen to twenty-four, which took
with it a raise in the salary list Of 81 go.
At the same time a request for $500
fund for the running expenses was asked
for, but was not acted upon until those
in charge OF the appropriations, 1t is
stated. went over the expense account Of
the old quarters.
Small Sum Allowed.
Then, for some unaccountable reason,
instead of taking into consideration the
natural increase in the running expenses
for the new building, the appropriation
was made s1,75O. There was a protest
at the time by the Police Court officials.
which awaited nothing, and since then the
strictest economy has been practiced.
An itemized account at the BUILDING
shows that in order to run it properly
there should be a fund of no less tnan
81, $50, and the very lowest possible esti-
mate reduces the figures $500. which.
however. does not include the removal of
ashes, scrubbing laundry and other ne
G ssities which could be included under
other items should the absolute necessity