Evening star., 1922-12-05
The District Budget.


mitted to Congress a total figure for
District expenditures during the next
fiscal year much below the estimates
the Commissioners originally trans
mitted, and below the amount OF ap-
propriations carried for the current
wear, the District appropriation act
embracing the bureau allotment would
re generally satisfactory. The Com
llissioners originally asked for $780,
l64.035. in regular and supplementary
estimates. The budget bureau put a
limit of s24.500.0OO upon the Districts
expenditures, but granted additions
after hearings, bringing the total sub
olitted to Congress to $25.043.973.
which was SSH, 900 more than the first
allowance.
The District has felt on the matter
Of it's annual provision that it should
Iot be put in the same category os
the strictly governmental functions.
subject to the limitations of eXpendi-
ture incident to a program of federal
:etrenchment. Its appropriations con-
sist now mainly of its own revenues.
1t contributing 60 per cent of the total
outlay. Congress has in the recent
past not permitted it TO spend all of
Us tax revenues. plus the correspond
ing allowance Of federal money in
proportion. with the result that q sur.
plus has accumulated.
The three principal needs Of the
District at this time affect its schools.
its streets and its water supply. Its
schools urgently require enlargement.
It's streets are in condition demanding
extension and Improvement, and the
water supply must be increased. In
respec, to only one of these is the bud
get satisfactory. 1t provides for an
appropriation of s1.500,000 for enlarg
ing the water supply, which is equal
to the current appropriation. This will
provide for continuing the work en-
the project now under way to dupli-
cate the conduit and thereby increase
the flow of water. assuring an addi-
sional margin over the maximum use,
Low reduced to dangerous point.
In respect 10 the schools the budget
Is not LIBERAL For new buildings and
grounds the estimate stands at 81 .200,-
900, as against "a current appropria-
ton Of se.::s6, 900. If Congress should
on the basis Of the report Of the joint
select committee now at work on this
question decide upon the immediate
undertaking of large comprehensive
school building program, this figure
now proposed for next years new con-
s;ructions would need to be consider
ably increased. For an annual appro-
priation Of s1.soo.0oo will not suf-
ficiently provide for the growth Of the
schools and for meeting the arrears
that now cause a demoralizing con-
.estion in the school system.
4 distinct disappointment is caused
by the small allotment Of funds for
street improvements. and repairs, al
though an increase is granted over
the current year. The addition. Of
$3.50, 800, recommended by the budget
bureau, will help to bring the streets
U
dition. but will still leave much work
uninterrupted, and will. therefore, add
to the needs Of years to come. For it
cannot be conceived that the Districts
streets will be permitted to go in
definitely in their present state. The
capital should have the best surfaced
highways, and these cannot be had
save through large expenditures.
There is cause for qualification in
the fact that in connection with appro-
priations for the Public Library pro-
vision is made for 4 site for an addi-
tional branch library, thus carrying
out the initial and developed plans of
library extension to give the people Of
Washington the fullest possible serv-
ice.
An interesting fact is to be noted
in connection with the total figure of
s25.043.973. This does not include any
provision whatever for the salary
bonus, which for some years has been
a feature Of the appropriation acts.
The Commissioners original estimates
included $1,7o4.000 for the bonuses Of
District employees. The budget bureau
cut off this amount on the theory, pre-
sumably, that it is for Congress to de-
eide whether bonuses are to be paid
during the next fiscal year. Thus If the
reclassification bill. which Is designed
to put the public service salaries at an
equitable figure, does not pass before
July !, with accompanying appropria-
rions to give it effect, the bonus PRO-
vision would seem to be a necessity.
and to the total Of District appropria-
tions would need to be added $1,704,-
O00-payable on the 60-40 basis-so
that. in fact. the budget may be re-
sarded as standing at $28,747.s73, or
approximately $2,200,000 more than
the limit originally set by the budget
bureau.
The District now hopes that this
budget will be treated by Congress
with due consideration of the fact that
it is a growing community. that it has
many needs of long standing. that It
cannot overtake its arrears without
liberal expenditures and that it is
willing to provide every dollar needed
for its own proportionate share of the
cost Of the -upbuilding of the nations
city. 49,
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