Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-10-12
DRAFT Of BUDGET
BEING MADE TODAY
District Commissioners La.
boring on the Annual
Estimates.
MUST BE COMPLETE
By WEDNESDAY
Health and Fire Department Needs
Engage the Attention of the
District Heads.

With the District Of Columbia es-,
Inmates for the next fiscal year required
by law to be in the hands Of the Secre-
tary OF the Treasury by not later than
Wednesday of this week, the Commits
sioners expect to spend all of today
working on the budget in the hope they
may be able to complete a tentative
draft Of the measure by late tomor-
row.
The health and fire departments are
the principal branches of the local
government which have not been pro-
vided for. and 1t will be the aim Of
the District heads today to give at
tention to the needs of these depart
ments. SO that they will have only
miscellaneous items to consider tomor-
row. AS soon as they insert the last
tain the total amount Of appropria-
lions called for to see whether they
have exceeded the available revenues.
which, under the half-and-half act,
will amount to about $4,000, 900 next
year, 1t is estimated.
In view OF the fact that not one line OF
new legislation is to be written into the
estimates. it is believed to be assured
that the total amount of appropriations
to be requested will fall well within the
limit This was not the case last year,
however, when the Commissioners at the
last minute. were compelled to apply the
pruning knife.
Worked Late Yesterday.
The District heads remained at the Mu-
nicipal building until nearly o'clock yes
terday afternoon and made considerable
progress on the estimates. They pro-
vided for the needs OF the police depart
ment and also completed the schedule for
the Improvement Of city and suburban
streets.
1t Is understood that a decision was
reached to ask Congress for an appro-
priatton with which to construct q
public comfort station at 18th and H
streets northeast Inspector Of Plumb
ing McGonegal in his recent annual
report recommended to the Commits
sioners that they adopt the policy OF
providing for the construction of one
new public comfort station every year.
Regarding the recommendation to be
made for an appropriation with which to
begin work on the proposed Harvesting of
the water power at Great Falls, the plan
in contemplation, 1t Is understood, Is for
the Commissioners to insert in the esti-
mates an item for one-third Of the initial
appropriation OF 100000 desired. Col.
Langfitt Of the Corps of United States
Army Engineers has suggested an initial
appropriation Of this amount, and 1t is
expected that the estimates of the Secre-
tary Of War will provide for two-thirds
Of the sum. The Commissioners probably
will recommend that the remaining
q. 100000 be appropriated on the half-and-
half basis.
So far as is known, the principal
items carried in the estimates are for
the second installment on the one mil
lfon-two-hundred-th ousand-d dollar ap-
preparation authorized for the con-
struction OF the Central High School,
the second installment on the appro-
prtation authorized for the construc-
ton OF the M Street Colored High
School. the initial appropriations for
beginning work on the proposed Dis
trict reformatory, to be located on
1.bOO-acre tract adjoining the work
house At Occoquan. Va. and the pro-
posed municipal hospital, to be located
on land now owned by the District at
14th and Upshur streets northwest
Liberal Street Improvement.
But little is known Of the schedule for
park improvements, although it is under
stood that liberal provision has been made
for the improvement Of streets and coun-
ty roads. Estimates for playground needs
and extensions also are expected to record
a considerable increase.
While the Commissioners were late in
starting work on the estimates this year,
they took up the task we'll fortified with
information as to the Districts needs
and the desires of the citizens of the
District concerning contemplated i'm
provements. They have visited every
section Of the District. obtained from citi-
zens associations lists of improvements
most desired by those bodies and inspect
ed every street proposed to be improved.
The result of their labors, it is believed,
will be q well be 'anced budget
The plan to include items calling for
new legislation in separate bills meets
with the approval Of Representative Page,
chairman of the subcommittee on District
appropriations 1t Is doubtful if any pre-
vious board Of Commissioners In working
up the estimates. has had a better UNDER
standing Of the policies of Congress con-
corning the District than has the present
board. There are abundant indications to
the effect that the District officials will
have the cooperation of Representative
Page. Chairman Ben Johnson of the Dis !
trict committee and other leaders in the
House in their endeavor to obtain author
iZation for the needs Of the National Cap
ital which they deem necessary at this
time.
DANhMh hThnul nChnl