The Washington times., 1917-03-07
Failure Of Deficiency Appropri.
alton BiII Sure to Embarrass
Departments.
SCHOOLS NOT AFFECTED
All Institutions Authorized BY
Law May Conduct Affairs
ION Time"

Failure OF the general deficiency
appropriation bill, according to an
authority at the House today, II Ger.
tain to embarrass practically all OF
the Government departments, but
there is nothing in the situation to
prevent the Government and the Dis
ttict Of Columbia incurring some OBJ.
legations, ION. credit"
The anti-defcfency law, It was ex.
planned, does not go so far as to
make necessary the closing Of school
buildings, the operation Of which is
authorized by law, or the stopping of
the pay Of the army or any person
whose employment is provided for
specifically by statute. Government
employees, however, who are carried
In lump sum appropriations, such as
some Of the employees OF the Federal
Trade Commission, cannot continue to
work when the lump sum fund Is ex-
hausted
Distinction to BE Fine.
There will be a fine distinction
between what the heads OF depart
ments may and may not do" said this
ficiency bill carried $4,000 for fuel.
gas, electric light and power for the
public schools of the District.
The conduct of the schools aad the
operation OF school buildings 10
countenanced by law. Therefore. the
Commissioners would be justified In
mourning a deficiency to keep these
buildings going. The supplies, Of
course. must be bought -on time"
and the seller must await q Congress
sional appropriation to get his
moeny.
THE same sort of situation exists,
for instance as to the army. The
feeding OF soldiers Is authorized by
law. The army heads would not get
into trouble, therefore, IL they fed
these soldiers, even IL they have no
money with which to do II. 1t can be
done on credit.
There are many items, however.
which do not come In this class, and
which are clearly subject to the anti
deficiency law.
Comparison IL Drawn.
"For instance, the Federal Trade
Commission and the Bureau of En-
craving and Printing would not be
authorised to continue employees II
the lump appropriation for those par
ticular employees became exhausted.
But IL the jobs of the employees are
specifically carried in the law, such
as clerks or assistant clerks, at so
much per annum. those employees
might continue on the reasonable as
sumption that they will get their
money as soon as the general defici-
ency bill passes.
There is a fine distinction all along
the linz as to what the heads of the
bureaus may and may not do and what
constitutes an emergency situation
which can be taken care OF under au-
thority of law. The anti-deficiency
law forbids voluntary services. and II
would be against the law for any
person whose employment is provided
for by the lump sum arrangement
to continue his work after the funds
are exhausted.
Undoubtedly, the situation is un-
usual and most inconvenient. How
ever. II Is not expected that regular
such as District schools,
hospitals. penal institutions, and other
permanent Institutions OF that sort
are to be closed for lack OF fuel, food,
Or clothing for the inmates or users
thereof
"As an illustration, there il q fuel
allowance OF $4,000 for the Fire De.
partment. Who would say that the
Fire Department ought TO close down
rather than go into debt for $4,000,
and depend upon Congress to provide
an emergency fund for something II
has created by law"