The Washington herald., 1921-07-17
Commissioners Ch arg e
Waste in Spending
Appropriation.
BUDGET SYSTEM
MEETS APPROVAL
All Department Chiefs
Give Estimates for
Year.

Accusations Of unjustifiable waste
in the past, coupled with blunt de-
mands for rigid economy in the
future on the part of District de-
partment heads, were voiced by the
District Commissioners in launching
campaign for economy a. meet
Ing of department chiefs yesterday.
While the commissioners issued
stern commands for a new order of
business in the District government
and eradication of the deficiency
evil" they voiced their belief that
District employees were underpaid
and promised support for an in
crease in the salary budget. e
Outlines Plan.
At the order Of the commissioners,
the department heads. representing
he police and fire forces, the schools,
the library and all branches of the
municipal government met with the
commissioners for a discussion of
methods of cutting out useless ex-
penditures. Commissioner Cuno n
Rudolph outlined three phases OF
the administration to be considered:
First. the deficiencies in the appro-
orations; second, savings which may
be effected IN the appropriations for
1922; and third, the survey of the
District government which is now
being made by the United States
Bureau Of Efficiency.
In the fiscal years of 1918, 1915
and 1859. the appropriation def
ciencies aggregated more than 3d.
100000" said Commissioner Rudolph
"A large part of this was due to the
Affects of wartime conditions, but
part Of the expenditures could have
ben obviated by judicial use of the
initial appropriations.
Half Million short.
The deficiency appropriation
passed for the fiscal year of 1921
amounted to over $500,0OO. Many
of the items included in this amount
we're justifiable deficiencies but
here were many which were not.
As q result it was difficult to de-
Tend these expenditures before the
Appropriations Committee of the
House. Even the explanations of
the heads OF the departments were
not convincing to either the Com
nissioners or the House Committee
and did not prove that the de-
iciencies could not have been pre-
rented by careful expenditure of
the regular appropriations.
TT seems to be pretty generally
recognized that practice has
grown Up in the past that deficien-
ries were to be considered as a part
0f the regular order of business
and that Congress expected the de-
partments to ask for appropriations
of this kind each year. Whatever
nay have been the policy or prac-
lice in the past. the new order of
business calls for and demands the
eradication of the deficiency evil
from the business of the District
government.
The Commissioners realize that
there are certain deficiencies which
,annot be avoided but as for the
artificial, or preventable deficien-
lies. there can be no excuse and
hey will not be tolerated in any
District appropriation.
sums Are Fixed.
"One of the most important duties
" the department heads is to see
hat their funds are not wasted by
he employment of unnecessary
help or the purchase of needless
'upplies. The appropriation for
1929 has already been apportioned
Is required by law and the Com
nissioners will not modify them un-
ess a case OF emergency arises.
The statement of President
Harding at the recent conference
With Gen. Dawes. Director of the
3udget. that the present admins
ration is pledged to economy. will
be supported by the Commissioners RS
ind the heads of the departments
vii be expected to cooperate in
:yery way possible.
The budget officer of the Dis
rict called upon the heads of the
departments for a report of their
'espective departments showing
What amounts of tn appropriation
vas unnecessary. Out Of a total
appropriation Of s1S.546.O63 for the
'ear of 1922. $1044S3.32 was shown
o be unnecessary and may be re-
'erted to the Treasury. OF this
mount. $4,000 was reported by
hat- Brown under certain appro-
'Tiations for school buildings. Nor
nally there is a balance Of about
per cent which remains unex-
'ended each year. The Commits
noners have not yet had an oppor-
unity TO study these reports and
annot say IL the $104 900 will rem
esent the total amount which the
district may be able to report to
he bureau of the budget.