The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-03-25
Budget Knocks Out HaIf.and-
Half Plan, But Provides
Substitute.
WATER RATES ARE BOOSTED
Several Increases In Salary for
City's Employees Contained
In Money Bill.

The District of Columbia appro-
priation bill, recommending $751;
190,484.87 for the needs of the Dis
trict during the fiscal year 1921, was
ordered favorably reported to the
House today from the Committee on
Appropriations.
1t is $2,103,962.12 more than the
appropriations for the current fiscal
year but represents s2,13S,944 less
than the amount requested in the
estimates.
May Cut Excess.
Deficiency estimates of approx
mately 100000 for the fiscal year
1920, however, are pending before
Congress which would reduce the ex-
cess OF the appropriations for 1921
IL they are approved.
The bill strikes at the vitals OF the
fiscal relations between the District
and Federal governments by recon-
mending the adjustment OF the So
called "half-and-half' method of ap-
propriating.
Another important change recon-
mended in the revenue system Is an
increase in the rate Of taxation on
real estate and tangible personal
propsrty from l u percent to 2h per
cent.
The additional revenue resulting
= rom a sc 2-3 per cent increase In
taxes will amount to approximately
s5, luD,e0o for the nscaI year 1921,
while the total revenues for that
year, IL the increased rate of taxa
tion is put into effect, would be ap-
proximately s15,334, ,45O.
Fifty-Fifty Substitute.
In lieu of the existing "half-and-
half" plan is substituted the follow
ing provision of the act that passed
the House on January 20, last:
THAT all appropriations of money
to provide for the payment Of the
District of Columbia shall be paid.
from and after July /, 1920, out Of
the revenues of the District Of Co
lumbia to the extent that such reve-
nues shall be sufficient therefore and
the remainder shall be paid out Of tho
Treasury of the United States:
provided, That the amounts to pay
the interest and sinking fund on tho
funded debt of the District Of Co
lumbia shall be paid one-half out OF
the revenues of the said District and
one-half out of the Treasury of the
United States.
With regard to District financss,
Representative Davis Of Minnesota,
chairman of the subcommittee which
framed the bill, makes this pertinent
statement in his report:
District Finances.
charges against the revenues Of tho
District of Columbia to consider, in
addition to the amounts in tho Dis
trict of Columbia bill. the sums ap-
propriated in other bills, including
the legislative, etc. bill, the sundry
civil bill, the various deficiency bills,
and any sums which may be carried
in special bills, and chargeable
against such revenues. The sur
plus revenues OF the District Of
Columbia accumulated under the
half-andhalf method of appropriation
amounted to $4,063, ,9221S on June 30,
1919. Considering appropriations al
ready made for the fiscal year 1920
in all acts and the pending deficiency
estimates for the remainder of the
fiscal year 1920, it is evident, that the
portion OF such total OF appropria-
tions for the fiscal year 1920, charge
able to the revenues of the District OF
Columbia for the fiscal year 1920. will
exceed such revenues by s250,ooo.
THE estimates transmitted to Con-
gress for the fiscal year 1921 on the
half-andhalf basis, while apparently
within a sum twice the estimated
revenues Of the District of Columbia
for the fiscal year 1921, are In reality
greatly in excess OF twice such
revenues when the full amount of all
estimates chsrEeable TO the District
revenues are taken into consideration
II all of the estimates formally trans
mitted by the District Commissioners
and officers OF the United States Gov
crnment are taken into consideration,
as well as other known charges and
supplemental estimates Transmitted
10 Congress since the session began
tho portion OF all such estimates
nropcrIy chargeable TO District rcve-
MUGS would exceed the estimated
revenues by approximately s2,25o, 900
"Thc appropriations contained In
this bill, together with the appropria-
tIons probably to be carried IN othe~
bills for the fiscal year 1921, and
cbergeabie to the revenues OF the Dis
trict OF Columbia will approximate
500 100000. exclusive OF deficiencies
and water services. II th'e sum
were appropriated on the half-and-
half basis the revenues of the
District OF Columbia for the fiscal
year 1921 would fall short OF meeting
fcontInued ON pare 4. Colum II =,