Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-19
UNITED FRONT OF CITIZENS
Macfarland Thinks Congress Will
Give All Asked For.
HARMONY IS MOST ESSENTIAL
Malicious Attack Upon District
Government May Not Defeat,
but May Hamper" He Says.


| support and cooperation of the citizens
of Washington they will probably get all
| they ask to support the local government
during the next fiscal year." Commission
er Macfarland said today, when discuss
ing the possibility of big cut in the
Commissioners estimates before and
after they reach Congress.
''Unreasoning and malicious attacks
upon the District government. while they
| may not defeat our efforts, may greatly
hamper then," he said, referring to an
article in a morning paper in which the
Commissioners were depicted as dubious
regarding improvements they have urged,
and in which an attempt is made to show
how the cut in the estimates will
probably be made.
Must Fight to Win.
In speaking further of the fate of the
estimates, Commissioner Macfarland said !:
''If we do not make a fight we shall
certainly not win. l am hopeful that
| there will be cordial cooperation and
harmonious action in support of the Com
| missioners' policy of distinguishing be-
| tween the appropriations for extraordi
nary purposes and those for current eX
penditures.
IF this distinction is not insisted upon.
that We need. but shall find the estimates
cut is they have been in the past in the
effort to make us pay out of current
revenues for extraordinary projects of
Improvement which, because of their
large cost and their benefit to the future.
cannot be and should not be paid for out
OF current revenues.
"Since 1900 we have had the largest ap-
also been doing the greatest amount of
municipal upbuilding. We have spent in
round numbers $4,000, 600 on extraordi-
nary projects of Improvement including
the filtration plant the new sewage sys-
tenn, the railway terminal work. District
building, new bridges and suburban sew
ers.
''The Districts half Of this amount had
to be advanced by the national treasury.
We have repaid one-half of the 5000 600
thus advanced. This was repayment at
too rapid a rate.
I'm order to make 1t Congress had to
cut the appropriations for current ex-
penditures. This is one reason why this
over 100000 for school buildings and
grounds.
United Front to Congress.
IF all our citizens would fasten their
minds on this one fact-that the reason
we have not adequate and proper school
facilities is because the appropriations
ioNc DccH Cul III OEQCr 10 repay 100 rap
idly the advances from the Federal treas
ury on account of extraordinary projects
OF improvement. and that this applies
equally to health. police. fire. street i'm
provement and lighting. and all other
municipal services-the District would
rise up as one man in support of the
Commissioners policy.
1T has had. of course. the support OF
the Board of Trade and Chamber OF
Commerce and of many individuals. But
a matter Of m
be carried by a general and concerted
effort of all the citizens led by all the
newspapers.
: Including the item for school buildings
ing for next year. In round numbers.
$4.5OOOOO for extraordinary improve
ments. including the Anacostia reclama-
ton Washington harbor 'front.' the Rock
creek valley. the high pressure fire pro-
lection service. suburban and trunk sew
ers. the Union station plaza work, the
Municipal Hospital and the Piney Branch
bridge. Yet all we need to pay on
the extraordinary Improvement account.
including advances already made, Is
$5OOOOO next year.
Estimates and Fund Available.
Il repeat that $4,000 a year is all we
ought to pay on the extraordinary i'm
provement account. Deducting this from
our revenues. estimated at over 81, OOO 600,
We have $5,JOO.OOO. which. with the ma
tional government contribution of a like
amount. gives us an appropriation fund in
round numbers. of S11.OOO.OOO. which. in
round numbers. is just about the total
OF the $915.OW annual payment to the
sinking fund of the old regime bonded
debt and the amount of estimates for
current expenditures.
Because we are in arrears, through the
policy which Congress has pursued, we
have to ask for more this year If We ask
q rfo {e
rassed by lack of harmony. or if we ask
on any other basis than the distinction
between current and extraordinary eX-
penditures. we shall not win.
But l believe we shall win, because I
think We will ask with courage, with
harmony and upon the proper basis
II may add that unreasoning and ma
licious attacks upon the District govern
ment while they may not defeat our ef-
forts. may hamper them"