Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-05-21
M|NGLE SPEED AND
DUE DEL|bERAT|0N
Go Fast and Go Slowly With
D. C. Appropriations Bill.
Wise LiberaIity Is True
Economy.
NO NEW D. C. SURPLUS
THEODORE w. MOVES.

THEODORE w. MOVES.
Editorial Correspondence of The Star.l
A legislative dilemma confronts the
District.
Conditions demand quick action
upon the District appropriations Dill
in order that it may be enacted before
July l. the beginning of the next MS
cal year. the period for which the APP
preparations under consideration are
to be provided. Unless the District
bill has become law before this date
the appropria tions of the previous
law is enacted. The war appropria-
tions of 191S-19, if thus continued
will not meet at all the peace needs
of 1920.
Contrar;wise conditions also de-
niand deliberate and thoughtful &C
ton in framing the new District ap-
propriations bill. The bill. which was
nearly enacted by the last Congress.
was based upon wartime estimates
for what turns out to be a peace year.
and upon estimates which so far as
consideration by the House was con-
cerned were vitality incomplete. omit
ting over a million and half of es-
Inmates for necessary salary in
creases, which through no fault of
the District failed to reach the House
before it acted.
Be Thoughtful; Be Quick.
The estimates, the hearings con-
corning them and the appropriations
based upon the estimates. while utii-
izing fully and appreciatively the
good work on the bill of the last
Congress, must, in fairness, be sup,
plemented, enlarged and by wise and
deliberate consideration be rendered
more adequate and more just through
the action of the new Congress
Thus conditions demand at the same
time haste and deliberations; that
Congress go fast and go slowly, with
Inconvenience or injury threatened as
the result of neglecting either alter
native.
Escape from our dilemma and the
solution of our troublesome problem
ton of expedition and delfberntion,
which shall bring full peace esti-
mates. original and supplementary,
promptly before the House npprOpr1a-
lions committee, to be pushed vtgOr-
ously and convincingly by the Com
thoushtfully but sympathetically and
quickly by the APPROPRIATION COM
mittees and by the House and Senate.
Certain tain m nsr r prhtss,g3sas
the 1880 District appropriations
bill.
No More War-Scrimping.
l. The war-scrimping in necessary
int 70
and development now ceases. The
plication to expenditures demanded as
essential by vitality important obliga-
tions and labors of peace, upper
formed and unmet in the stress of
war, which have accumulated and
demand attention. We have been
wisely and periodically extravagant
in expenditures relating to war-mak
ing and war preparedness. and this
extravaganza is now to end. We have
not been extravagant, but scrimpy
and neglectful in necessary expendi-
lures for municipal maintenance and
upbuilding, and these OUTLAWS are
now to receive the thoughtful. liberal
and sympathetic consideration which
they deserve. Thus the basic prin-
ciple of economical appropriation IL
In application exactly reversed.
Wisely Liberal Peace Estimates.
2. A new deal in respect to the
estimates is also demanded by equity.
The estimates for this bill, submitted
to the last Congress, were framed
with the prospect that 1890 would
be year of war. and municipal needs,
except those of absolutely essential
maintenance. were periodically
pushed aside. These estimates are in
adequate to meet present-day condi-
tions and need to be supplemented
and strengthened. Moreover, the Com
missioners' estimates for salary in
creases, aggregating s1.60O.00c, were
on executive suggestion or order
separated from the other District es-
Inmates and were not considered at
all by the House appropriations COM
mittee or the House in passing in the
last Congress the District appropria-
lions bill.
These estimates received only Incl
dental, perfunctory and inadequate
consideration by the Senate. They
should be considered carefully, thor
oughly and sympathetically from the
outset in the House framing Of the
new District bill.
No Investigations by any other COM
mittees into wage conditions and
necessary readjustments should post
pone action in connection with the
District bill. which corrects obvious
unjust irregularities in the compensa-
ton of District employees.
The average of department salaries
(outside of those of the new war
workers) is too low. absolutely as well
as in relation to the present high cost
of living. The average of District
salaries is lower yet. The school
teachers average pay goes down a
step further The average pay at the
Public Library, Notwithstanding the
high standard of eligibility require
ments, is the very lowest.
Essential Salary Increases.
The Commissioners increased pay
estimates are based on careful study
of these and other inequitable pay d.
versities and undertake to provide
some measure of correction. Congress
ought as an equitable obligation to
respond readily to the Commissioners
appeal
Full estimates of the Districts needs
up to the legal limit Of double the
Districts estimated tax revenues, In
up to date Of important and neglect
ed items OF municipal maintenance
and the starting of work on necessary
projects of permanent public improve
ment should, and doubtless will, be
promptly submitted by the Commits
xioners for the confederation Of the
House appropriation committee.
Supplemental and alternative esti-
mates of municipal needs should he
ready for substitution in the bill nv
the Senate and the conference com.
mittee in case the House and Senate
disapprove of important items of mn
nicipal expenditures from the avail
able District revenues under the half
and-half law. as proposed by the Com
missiOnerS in their original estima 90