Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-08

1908. ....... 1.653,5ITc5i los, Os3 tdeci
1904. 1850. l,s49,6si.6e a0s,ssss2 (dec,,
1908. ....... 2.24O, 03O.14 $50 38S45 tinc)
1906 .... 1881 go 40 691. 229 35 (inc.)
1907. 3.277. s66.2s 346,6o6. 70 zinc
1903. ....... $685. 34l .s5I.s7 tinc.j
The Rate Of Repayment.
Mai Judson's plan. which has been
adopted by the Commissioners for recon-
mendation to Congress. proposes to ex-
tend to twenty-five years the period OF
reimbursement of the nearly 100000
now owing to the United States. mean
while extinguishing the funded debt and
so relieving the drain on the current reve-
nues that SO, 900 will be available for
permanent improvements. Under the judi
son plan. $2O.OO0.OOO will be expended IN
twelve years in needed works. and repaid
vogue since 1900 the District has been
given permanent improvements costing
over $17,OOO.OOO, one-half of which has
come from local tax revenues. Thus 3d.
800. 600 of the Districts money has been
paid or pledged for large works in nine
years. or nearly a million year. VI this
amount about $4,000. 600 remains unpaid
The District has thus actually paid, In
net reduction of its permanent-works In
debtedness, $4.5OO.O00 in nine years. or at
the rate Of $JOOOO0 a year. Under the
Judson plan, the District will repay the
government at the rate OF *1,OOO,OOO q
year for fifteen years, inclusive OF the
payment Of the funded debt. and 100000
q year for ten years.
Projects Undertaken and Proposed.
Since 1900 permanent works have been
completed as follows: The sewage dis
posal system. the alteration plant. the
municipal building. the elimination OF
grade Crossings and provision OF union
railway terminal. Connecticut avenue.
Potomac highway. Anacostia avenue.
Massachusetts, avenue and Piney Branch
Hospital There now remain to be under
taken, either under the old method of
financing or by means OF some such
scheme of financing as that proposed
by Maj. Judson: the reclamation OF
the lower Rock Creek valley: the devel-
opnent of the park system, the improve
ment Of the harbor front, the establish
ment Of a high-pressure fire system. the
extension Of the suburban sewer system,
the laying of additional water mains, the
erection Of a municipal hospital, the re-
moval Of remaining grade crossings and
the erection Of reformatory. 1t Is esti-
mated that these works will cost 80
1000.
The Commissioners set forth the general
situation of the District with regard to
the need Of a more comprehensive and
definite plan of financing permanent Inn
prOVementS WNlle pTONlOiHS dOcQuotCS
for current needs, in the course Of their
latest annual report to Congress, sub
mitted in December. 1908 They said:
Commissioners' 1908 Report.
Congress, 1t is hoped. will adopt the
recommendation OF the Commissioners.
row earnestly renewed, that distinction
be made in the appropriation acts be-
tween extraordinary and current expend-
lures. with special provision for the DIS
trict's one-half of extraordinary appro-
priations. The principle OF such dis
tinction has been observed in estimates
by the Commissioners for the next fiscal
year. which were prepared. as heretofore,
with due regard for economy. but also
due consideration of all the needs Of the
present and the future, SO as to provide
for extraordinary projects of improve
ment calling for large amounts of money
and benefiting posterity. and for items Of
current expenditure necessary to main
| tain and improve the municipal services.
1.-The Commissioners recommend that
Congress finance the Districts share OF
the cost Of extraordinary Improvements by
providing for advances from the United
States Treasury to the District govern
ment account to be repaid gradually with
interest in reasonable annual payments.
They do not recommend the issue Of
bonds for this purpose, the method which
is followed elsewhere, because the ma
District government what II needs and
has done so during the progress of the
extraordinary improvements Of the last
seven years. But while recognizing that
advances should be made to the District.
Congress has only made provision for
them from year to year. and they have
been charged not to the extraordinary
expenditures account for which they were
required. but to the general account, COM
bining both extraordinary and current ex-
penditures, although the latter can be
more than met by the Districts revenues.
Reduction Of Current Estimates.
The practical result has been the reduc-
ton Of the estimates for current ex-
penditures as well as the postponement
of needed extraordinary improvements.
II the two classes of expenditures had
been kept separate in all respects. and ad
vances made from the United States
Treasury only for the extraordinary ex-
penditures. no cutting OF the estimates
for current expenditures would have been
necessary, and the municipal services
would have been much better equipped
In every way. For example. there is a
large arrears on account of public school
buildings, because the estimates were cut
from year to year. In all about 50 O0O, 600
in the last ten years. SO that now II can
no longer be treated as coming under the
head of current expenditures. because the
amount estimated by the board of edu-
cation as necessary is $2.21s, 500, which
amount the Commissioners have recon-
mended knowing that the Districts half
cannot be paid currently out OF the rev.
enues The District taxpayers, who sup
port the commissioners plans with SUBJ
stantial unanimity. feel not only the
reduction of the estimates to the injury
Of all their interests. but also they feel
the Misrepresentation of their situation.
Paving fair and adequate taxes. the rev.
enues of the District for the next fiscal
year exceeding S6OOO.OOO. the taxpayers
are made to seem unable or unwilling to
provide their share Of the necessary cur
rent expenses and a proper payment on
the extraordinary Improvement account.
Necessary improvements.
although the Commissioners are not
required by law to bring their estimates
within the estimated amount of the ap-
preparation fund formed by the District
revenues and the addition of a like fund
from the United States Treasury, they
have this year. as formerly, endeavored
to keep the estimates within q reason