The Washington times., 1913-12-02
THE DISTRICT BUDGET.

The purpose of widening the services which the
municipal administration shall perform for the peo-
pie of Washington, is very apparent in the budget
that the District Commissioners have laid before
Congress 1t is no secret that the municipal owner
ship of public utilities in operation, and the addi
ton of others, is within the scope of the ambitious
plans which the present authorities backed by the
National Administration, have in mind. The Com
missoners ask authorization for the establishment
of great model municipal market and it is difficult
to believe that they will be refused. Such an insti
tuition would meet an urgent need of the city, and
its creation would be in line with the best municipal
management and policy of these times. The market
problem is in the forefront of municipal thought all
over the nation.
1t is realized that the program of taking over the
existing public service facilities must require good
deal of time. No matter how vigorously the Distric,
administration might 60 about the business, or with
what enthusiasm it might be supported by Congress,
the proceeding of valuation purchase or condemna-
ton is certain to be prolonged one. The public
utilities law grants authority to make the valuation
and the Commissioners are asking an appropriation
of $4,000 to do this necessary preliminary work
1t must be assumed that Congress will make this
provision because to fail at this point would be in
effect to repudiate the general direction that was
written into the public utilities law. Even after
valuation is prepared, there will doubtless be long
and involved legal proceedings before the plants can
actually be taken under municipal control.
Ip he rneo nicioo rLok <bora c
such difficulty ahead 1t is needed merely to provide
the money and authority and proceed with the phys
ical construction. Doubtless the city will have
model market long before it will own its gas, elec-
trc and street car plants 1t should be set about the
market project with the least possible delay, and
coroay to that goes the demand for reconstruction
of the fish wharves and establishment of properly
equipped fish market
The demands for funds to provide municipal
hospital hospital for nebriates, and municipal
lodging house, all sight in the direction of broader
usefulness of the government through proper facli
ties. These institutions cannot be classed as expert
mental experience in this country and abroad has
demonstrated that they are both practical and eco
nomica Greater efficiency in the departments OF
the city government demands, likewise, the appro-
priation that is asked for the construction of mu.
nicpal warehouse
Congress would give gratifying proof of its con-
fdence in the good faith of the Commissioners, if i,
would add somewhat to the list of salaries whose in
crease has been recommended The Commissioners
drawing only $4,000 each per annum, are about the
worst underpaid officials of the city; yet they ask
nothing more for themselves, while urging long list
of salary increases in other positions. Good service
is not be had for inadequate pay and it would be
gracious act in recognition of good service pa
trotcaly rendered, if Congress would, in addition
to giving the advances that are asked, raise the
Commissioners to ST 500 annually.
Yet another department of municipal service that
deserves all that has been asked is the public library
Dollar for dollar of money actually provided and used
the library ranks among the most useful and result
getting in the country. 1t deserves a more liberal
maintenance
Failure of the Commissioners to recommend ar
appropriation for beginning work on the harnessine
the Great Falls is explained by the fact that to in
cude this project would make the estimates overrun
the limit fixed by existing law. None the less, it is
urged that this is the only reason why the improve
ment is omitted, and Congress is notified that the
local government is deeply interested and hopes thai
separate bill will be brought forward to enable the
beginning of this work The estimate of cost of this
improvement has placed it at $l5,00OOO0, which
would, of course, be spread over series of years
Like the municipal market and other pressing af
fairs il deserves attention without unnecessary delay
Liberal provision for general maintenance, i'm
provements, and the conduct of the various division:
of the administration is asked The total Of the est
mates calls for almost $l4 600 of cash. as against
Sill ,265,ooo carried in the current appropriations