Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-05

Of the advances made to the District
by the United States. the Commission
sioners have made allowance in their
estimate of receipts for repayment
OF $6S0,000, and 81, 1909 interest. which
is one third of the amount that will be
due on that account during the year
ending June 80, 1913.
Improvement in Municipal Account
ing:
Systems in Other Municipalities
Examined.
During the fiscal year suggested inn
provements in methods Of municipal ac-
counting and financial control have been
closely studied and extensive research
made into the accounting systems OBJ
tanning in the principal cities Of the
United States for the purpose of de-
termining whether further improvements
could be effected under existing condi-
tons In the financial and accounting
system which is being developed for
the government of the District of Column
bia- I.-ss
the plans that have been outlined in
previous annual reports should be fol-
lowed closely. 1t Is recognized that
governmental business cannot In all
the business of private corporation.
In making recommendations for Inn
provements in the accounting system
Of the District Of Columbia care has
been, had that the revision should be
along practical business lines and the
finances of the District government
should be centralized and its accounting
systematized so as to give the best pos
sible results.
All Appropriations From District
Revenues Should Be in District
Of Columbia Appropriation Act.
The Commissioners as the executive au-
thority are required by law to confine
their estimates for appropriations to
the estimated revenues. To carry
out this law it is apparent that steps
should be taken to have all appro-
priations in any way affecting the rev.
enues Of the District contained In the reg
ular District appropriation act. Further
more, the present distributed authority
for expanding appropriations entering into
the cost account of conducting the local
business should be eliminated. and the
auditing and disbursement of all such ap-
preparations centralized under the &C
counting officers of the municipal govern
ment. To bring about this condition the
Commissioners submit for the considera-
ton of Congress the following recommen-
| dalton made by the Secretary Of the
Treasury, in transmitting the estimates OF
District appropriations for the fiscal year
1901 and repeated in the fiscal year 1852:
THAT hereafter all estimates and requisi-
tons affecting the revenues Of the District
| of Columbia shall. be submitted to the
Commissioners of the District, and all
payments from appropriations, any part
Of which is chars cable to the said rev.
enues Of the District of Columbia, or re-
payments to appropriations and collec-
tons increasing the revenues shall be
| made through the officials Of the District
except In the case of the sinking fund
| which is otherwise specifically provided
for by law, and all accounts pertaining
| thereto shall be settled by the auditor foT
the State and other departments"
Inventory Of Indispensable Munich
| pal Property.
/ work OF considerable magnitude is
| with all other branches of the local gov
| eminent cooperating. preparing inven-
| tories Of all real and personal property
belonging to the municipality. When
j'conpleted it is believed that the District
will possess, and will be able to present
| results along this line that will compare
favora.bly with other progressive cities In
this country.
Deficiency in Pension Fund for Po-
| lice and Fire Department.
| The Commissioners urge upon Congress
the extreme necessity of providing ade.
lquate funds to meet the payment Of po-
Flice and fire pensions. During the fiscal
year just closed. for the months of Janu-
airy to May, inclusive. the funds available