Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-07-23
IS THE CRY
Departments of Local Govern
ment SIashing Estimates.
NEW LAW MUST BE OBEYED
Commissioners Have Given Neces-
sary Instructions.
MUST BE WITHIN $1,000, 900
Situation That Confronts District Is
Entirely New, Says Mr..
Macfarland.
NEW LAW MUST BE OBEYED
MUST BE WITHIN $11,O00,000

ECONOMY" IL the watchwOrd through
out the marble structure at 14th street
and Pennsylvania avenue. for the par
ing of the estimates is taking place i'm
the local government, just as 1T is In
the federal government departments.
The total estimates Of the Commission
ers to Congress. 1t is thought, cannot
reach over 81 100000.
Commissioner Macfarland said today he
believed the departments and boards of
the District government will exercise un-
usual care in preparing estimates for the
next fiscal year, in view of the expressed
desire of the Commissioners that they
should do SO.
All heads of departments and boards. at
the instance of Commissioner Macfarland,
had their attention called April % to the
following paragraph in the District ap-
preparation bill, providing that the esti-
mates shall be kept within the revenues
with no loans from the United States
Treasury for extraordinary projects:
What the Law Says.
District of Columbia shall not submit nor
shall the Secretary of the Treasury trans
NIT regular annual estimates for expenses
Of the government of the District of CO.
lumbia for any fiscal year that shall ex-
ceed in the aggregate a sum equal to
twice the amount of the total estimated
revenues of the District of Columbia for
such fiscal year. Said estimates shall
take into consideration and embrace all
charges against the said revenues arising
under appropriations other than the regu-
lar District of Columbia bill. Such an
nual estimates shall not be published in
advance of their submission to Congress
at the beginning of each regular session
thereof
The action of the Commissioners was
with a view to having the departments
and boards keep their estimates down to
the lowest limit consistent with the
growth of the District and efficient as
well as economical administration.
Mr.. Macfarlaid said he. believed the de-
partmentS and boards had always exer-
cised care in the preparation of their esti-
mates with a view to economy. even
though in their estimates the Commits
sioners had to make a large reduction
each year in the total estimates submitted
to them, in order to bring them into prop
er relation with the estimated revenues
Naturally he said, each department, hav-
ing in view the needs of the District to
which it specially mtnistered. and having
only a general knowledge of the proba BILE
action of other departments and boards
and of the probable revenues, heretofore
had asked for what it thought was neces-
sary within reason. and with the knowl-
edge that the Commissioners would re-
wise the estimates submitted.
Entirely New Situation.
But this year. he said. IAN entirely
new situation is made by the require
ment of the District appropriation act
that the total estimates for all purposes,
extraordinary and current, shall not ex-
ceed the estimated amount of the appro-
prtation fund.
Heretofore. by distinguishing between
estimates for extraordinary and current
expenditures and providing a separate
plan for the treatment OF the former the