The Washington times., 1913-01-30
THE DISTRICT APPROPRIATION BILL.

Inc D1Strlct apprOprlauon Dill, as II CoincS HUH
the House Appropriations Committee, displays just
enough evidence of a new Congressional attitude
toward District finances to justify worry among tid
folk who are looking for something about which to
worry On the other hand there is enough evidence
of enlightened policy to warrant the confident feel
ing that tine Capital is safe in the hands of the pres
ent authorities.
As an example of the items which may fairly be
criticised, there is requirement that the District
shall pay, from its own revenues, $919OO0 for the
maintenance of District charges in the Government
Hospital for Insane. This represents an accumula-
ton of annual charges this account over period
of years. Without doubt, considerable part Of this
represents charges that should not equtably be as
sessed against the District taxpayers 1t is notorious
that many patients sent to the Government nos
pita here, not because they are properly classified
residents of the District but because that nstit-
ton is Government affair." and il has been easy to
get patients committed to it through political iniu
ence, in case of uncertainty as to their legal resi-
dence in any other jurisdiction. 1t has served
sort of dumping institution in a good many cases.
To say this is not TO criticse its management, to
protest against the humane policy that has made the
Government hospital sort of hospitality. The case
aptly illustrates, in a single phase, tendency to
utilize facilities in Washington public benefits. 1t
is we'll known that the Freedmans Hospital, for ar
other example, is frequently induced to receive resi-
dents from outside the District on very technical
showing of their right to treatment there. That the
people of Washington should pay the bills for these
cases of easy going charity is not at all fair.
On the other hand, there is evidence Of intelligent
understanding of some very real needs of the city.
Three hundred thousand dollars is appropriated
toward the construction Of new Central High School
building the total cost of which is limited to ST 200
600. This has been needed for long time, and the
beginning should nave been made earlier
Again, there is an appropriation of 100000 for al
municipal asphalt plant Without serious uncertainty,
the work of both repair and construction could bel
carried on at less cost through municipal manage
ment, and it has been hard fight to get Congress
to this point. 1t is distinct step forward, in the
direction of that wider conception of proper mun-
cipal functions, to provide this municipal asphalt
plant Colonel Judson, the Engineer Commissioners,
has urged this measure in season and out and for it.
along with many other broad-gauge and modern pol
icies the District owes him its gratitude.
Some actual reductions in the police and Ere
departments are excused on the ground fhat casefu
administration will avoid injury to the service
and make possible some economy. Perhaps; but
the community will regret to see these two important
elements in maintaining community safety pruned in
any respect The attitude toward the police can only
be viewed with serious mseiving, and it is to be
hoped that the Senate will restore the appropriation
to the figures estimated by the Commissioners.
The devotion of 100000 to reclamation of the
Anacostia flats and the improvement of the Ana
costa river is assurance that important work for
the public health and the proper development of the
city will 60 forward.
In the aggregate, the bill carries Ss5l 900 more
han the appropriations for the current fiscal year;
otal of ST ,23l ,o0o which general principles does
not impress the idea that any new policy Of penury
IS to be undertaken.