Evening star., 1916-06-22

1901 ........... I.5a2, I32 81 Z, 1895, ,S7S. 81
100. ......... S,94S. .9S5 VI s197, sos 81
1903 ....... 10 AL ISl 81 s I6l 6s3 9i
1904 ........... losT2, 372.W s7s4. .8sl 90
1909 .........-. l2ssis25.0O $3.50. 1873. 90
!sO8 --...... Il Ais. 1886 9.261. 90
1901 .........-. ii ,48l .520.l5 s.27s. .4s6. 18
lpOS ........... IL 1S1 ,9Oa.G3 y, ,746 49,. .63
1909 ........... 13667, ,266.35 10.0OT, tbs. SIS
1910 15.I30, 1882 I0.4Ol. .931. SO
19Il .......-,.. II .046,543.i9 10, 396. $40. %
1si2 ........... 11.si1 5000 ll,67s. .30l. so
1913 .-......;. 12.113. .435. 80 10, 40G, ,49s. so
1919 ....-..--.. 1851, 4.49 12. 1913, ,sO4. 40
!si5 ....-..- l2.1I1.O54 y 1l,662, 49,. A
1917 .....-..... 15,473.676.34
The Commissioners reported in their
estimates for 1910 that the District
needed if revenues permitted, an ap-
preparation of over sl5,73o995. They
reported SlS.667,s66 to be needed in
1899 and s12.ss4.s25 to be needed in
1905 The Commissioners, restricted
by law and by pressure from the White
House and Congress, submitted esti-
mates for 1916 of about s12.771.054
Who believes that the Districts genu-
ine needs were less in 1916 than in
1910 or in 1909 or in 1905?
The District Commissioners did not
pretend either year before last or last
year that their estimates met and satis-
ned the full municipal needs of the
District. ON the contrary, year before
last, for example. they stated explicitly
that they failed to urge the Great
Falls development project because the
local taxes when doubled failed to pro-
vide sufficient revenue. The House cut
down these inadequate estimates by
$3.o0o.000. and the appropriation act
provided S2,0S2.215 less than the Com
missioners original estimates. Last year
the Commissioners, under pressure
both from the White House and the
Capitol. cut their estimates to the bone,
omitttng even necessary and urgent
maintenance appropriations and in
ereases which they had warmly in
to which they had experienced no
change of heart. The House cut from
these estimates. already mangled out
ofSrelation to equity and the city's
genuine needs. S1.606,S ,SS5.7S.
This year the Commissioners esti-
mates totaled s15.473.676.34, and the
House cut down these estimates by s3.
Sass
What reasonable man can pretend
that these appropriation and estimates
figures represent the Districts actual
needs, and that expenditure beyond
these amounts would be extravaganza
and waste of public money?
fet-the argument for the immediate
overthrow of the half-and-half ar
rangement is based upon this very as
sumption.
Revenues insufficient to Meet Needs
In spite of large and steadily increas-
ing local taxes the revenues available
under the half-and-half arrangement
were insufficient to meet the needs of
the capital in 1901. 1902. 1905, 1906, 1907,
33es and 1909. and in those years ad-
yances were made by the United States
aggregating about four million dol
lars to met these deficiencies. These
loans have been since repaid with over
half million of interest. During these
years great public improvements, highly
economical in the long run, were pro-
yided through wise and progressive
. legislation for the development of the
nations city.
Among the Extraordinary improve
ments' which these temporary cash ad-
vances by the United States, supple
menting the current revenues Of the
District. enabled the capital to push to
completion were the sewage disposal
system. the filtration plant. the elimi-
nation of grade CROSSINGS and improve
ment of railway terminals. municipal
building. tuberculosis hospital. high
way bridge across the Potomac. Ana
costa bridge and Connecticut Avenue,
30 sachusetts Avenue and Piney Branch
v. dses-
,nuer last years bill no provision
3 proposed by the House for any new
.saAent improvements at the capital.
HJush several important to the cap
.elIare were pressing for atten-
Oh No adequate provision was made
To- such projects already begun. Cur
rent maintenance was not allowed to
increase with the normal healthy
growth of the city, but was scrimped
and squeezed and cut to the bone. And
the meager, rniserly, "penny-wise,
pound-foolish" figures which resulted
were treated as representing fully the
municipal needs of the expanding cap
ital.
No Excessive Revenue at Present.
The money raised under existing law
for capital maintenance and develop
nent has been and In honestly, eco
lr0llV wi fall -
feetfSe results spent by the govern
nent. Washington shows forth in its
present condition m Inspiring response
to this expenditure In Increased at
fyacttveness and healthfulness as the
national Capital and In the marked Inn
Drevenent Of the physieal. mental and
moral welI-beinx of the people Of the
capital community. But much remains
10 be done In this DEVELOPMENT.
Every cent that can properly be
raised under existing law IL needed to-
eay for wise and economical mainte-
nance and upbutlding of the capital.
The District Commissioners. in their
esfimates of year before last. proposed
TOR lsls-l3 an expenditure of the Dis
tr1ct revenues under the act of 1873
winch provided a maximum OF mainte-
nance and minimum Of permanent
development Great plans of public
Improvement. like the Great Falls
water power project. were postponed
because the revenue waA> not imme-
diately available The characteristic
feature Of the Commissioners pro-
pesals was the fostering of projects
Tor the betterment Of conditions af-
fecting the people OF the community
along the lines Of health, education,
mental and moral upIift
The House cut down the Commission
ers' estimates by $4,000. .0oO. emitting or
reducing such items as the following:
Physical valuation of public utilities
(which was carried elsewhere. $40
600: municipal hospital $4,000: fne-
briste hospital. $4,000: central store
house, SIss,0uG, municipal market
tpiansJ. $1,000. new bathing beaches
ys.,53s, Patterson tract park 1915
gpv: reconstruction of wharves $50
eco fish wharf and market Sl25. 500
BeHninS road vIaduct. slIe.000, repav-
n,s part Of eth street. $50, 600; resurfac-
ing approaches 20 Highway bridge
SSe,00o: alteration Of Pennsylvania
Avenue bridge, 100000; Fairgrounds
production of, $3.50: public con-
venience stations. s3l 900; teachers
funketity pay (reductiont ss2 955
altering and renodelng public school
buildings and grounds, $4,000; new
senool buildings treduction) Sf02 900
police Increase, $2s,595. permanent i'm
prosements fire department $4,000
Improvement of Eastern branch flats
100000.