Evening star., 1909-09-01
HOW THE DISTRICT
SPENDS ITS MONEY

With the object Of preparing estimates
for a District appropriation bill that will
be so equitably divided among the several
branches OF the local government that the
committee of Congress will find no reason
for making material changes, District Au-
Inc Commissioners a careful comparative
analysis of the expenditures Of the District
during the last five years. The tables
show. in such a way that comparison is
easily possible, the expenditures for each
function Of the District service during the
past five years and the proportion of the
branch.
The object OF this statement" explains
Auditor Tweedale in his letter of trans
initial, lis to give the Commissioners an
opportunity TO study the business of the
government Of the District of Columbia
from new viewpoint in order that the
Commissioners may determine in the con-
sidsration of the estimates for the fiscal
year 1911 whether the physical needs OF
just proportion OF appropriations, and In
order that they may determine what pro-
portion OF the increased appropriation for
she coming fiscal year each function Of the
government is entitled to.
This study has been made neces-
sary by reason of the fact that Con-
eress at Its last session specifically
provided that the Commissioners Of the
District Of Columbia should not SUBJ
nit nor should the Secretary OF the
Treasury transmit to Congress regular
annual estimates Of the expenses of the
government of the District Of Colum-
bia for any fiscal year that shall ex-
ceed IN the aggregate sum equal to
twice the amount of the total estimat ted
revenues OF the District of Columbia
Tor such fiscal year.
Commissioners Responsibility.
This legislation charged the Com
nnssioners with the responsibility Of
seeing that not only the estimate S
which were prepared under their direct
supervision, but also the estimates
which are transmitted through them
and included in the District bill. should
iot In the total exceed twice the eSti-
mated revenues of the District Of CO.
lanoia. and placed upon the Commits
siohers OF the District, as the execu-
i've officers of this government, large
portion OF the responsibility which had
rese'oiore tion rested upon the appropria-
Won committees of Congress, and 1T is
ysheVed that by careful analysis of
.ne estimates which are to be submit
Eu. a.ter study OF the conditions
Nhich nave heretofore existed, budget
NAY oe framed and presented to Con-
siess winch Will meet equitably the
reeds OF the District. and, so far as
lne revenues are estimated, will meet
nitn no material change at the hands
" the appropriating committees"
commissioner West believes that the
.aD-es will BE- OF great value to the Com
customers :, in determining the allotments
-, De made III the next estimates.
:, nc Falue OF the table which the au-
a',of mas submitted Commissioner West
.sIu' hes IN The fact that 1T will enable
" commissioners to determine. when
80 come 70 consider their estimates,
~" lne aIlotment of next years funds
odsht 10 be made. Under the law the ex-
penoRnres must he kept within the rev.
e, eue, and an effort will now be made to
s.'"t s,' tHr sum in proportion to the neces-
80 80 u each department, making more
5Sa'toHs allowance for those which have
oeeh deprived Of funds In the past and
;'ehlhS reductions In those cases where
h = eFident that the amount granted has
en alsproportionately large The esti-
Aates VIII this Year be given unusual
.ohslderation, inasmuch as It lis our in
.eu,oh TO present to Congress a bill
tail 1901 "
Ter" Is a further suggestion made by
Slu'itoE l|eedale for a Encouragement of
- district appropriation bill so that II
~ Snow by itself the amounts allotted
- tdeu junction of the government, and
as'uidlel% provide for new system of
sooabtnS for the Districts expenditures,
t ',at the Commissioners will be- able to
p"vNiy and easily determine and COM
-. we amounts expended for each func-
1oh each wear.
auditor Wants More Time.
: = suggested and requested Mr..
'dle SAYS, that in submitting the
'tes for the fiscal year 1911 the
ne given sufficient time and op-
'u1ttE 10 rearrange the estimates as
1ieF are now required to be submitted
ia"' SO az TO bring them within the
ca'ioh which is outlined In the
herewith, which will be SUBJ
win the Commissioners estimates
, suggested plan for the rearranre-
eriehi ~ the District approximation hi,
~ T,,etthees have been had with members
fbis o,isFess which have the handling Of
ear oi'i, and II Is believed, from what
Ina 'e !sarned that the plan here out
snnro WIN meet with the favor of the
apptoprlation committees in enactinp tbe
F;.!e appropriation BILL
nro.N years ago, the table shows, the ap-
MIA, ,ia,ohs for the District, paid for in
ad or III part out of its funds, amount
aron 9as'. s'.1l3.37. This was divided
geners, 'ne ten functions as follows: For
cont. :, government. S73i.9S4. or rs per
rca,3.rF i.tio1 1o9. or l5.12 per cent, for pro-
~ ION t., or life and property: 81. 294 sol 40.
i'i' per cent, for health and SANTA