The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1922-01-25
Injurious SIashing of Dis
trict Appropriations
By BILL PRICE.

..s Dy DILL FnlCE
During the war Congress showed the greatest liber-
atty in appropriations for the General Government,
refusing few if any, requests for money from execu
tive departments bureaus. The policy of Congress
could not well have been otherwise.
But-and here's the point that vitality the
District of Columba-Congress was, during the same
years. anything but liberal to the District Pleas
put forward for economy excuses were made that
war prices too high to make appropriations for
local improvements that could be done cheapy
when the war was over
1t all sounded perfectly logical and District people
really thought that Congress would remember and
take care Of pressing necessities. The local public
schools, because Of Congressional neglect, fell into
most regrettabe condition. Awakened to this danger
situation Congress is showing inclination to
remedy past negects, but in nearly all others the
House side Of Congress is acting in manner to seri
ously retard cripple the most necessary improve
ments to the National Capital and to apply to the Dis
trict policy Of false economy which is neither fair
deserving in view Of the neglect of the past five
years.
Our hope lies in the Senate, which has always taken
IA broader view of Washington than the House. As
agreed upon and submitted to the House. the District
appropr& ion bill falls 100000 below the estimates
approved by General DAWES, and close to 100000
below the estimates the Commissioners asked for
necessary during the next fiscal year.
The Commissioners worked with the greatest
scenousness upon their estimates for Congress. They
long ago promised the leaders of appropriations
mtees in House and Senate that their estimates in the
future would be based upon actual necessities and that
they would not "pad" 'boost" the estimates-a
custom that has long existed among shrewd heads of
Government departments who want to make sure OF
getting from Congress sufficient funds for working pur
poses. It probably too much frankness the part
of the Commissioners toward Congress- an honest
frankness not appreciated.
Trying in every way to apply the policy OF economies
which the party in power desires, the Commissioners
are going find that the District is again to be kicked
around than the late CHAMP CLARKS "old
hound dog And the District won't have Champ
Clark to put stop to the kicking process, either.
When the Districts thoroughly pruned estimates
in former Senator SHERMAN of Illinois to apply the
economy knife. Mr.. Sherman, when in the Senate
showed especial fondness for Washingtons needs
but the worst he could do with the estimates was to
whack off over 100000, blow the Commissioners
regretted but hoped would be remeded when the
estimates reached the House.
The Commissioners estimates about 2SOOOOOO.
The House committee recommends about $2OOOOOOO.
Economy is always advisable, but it should be prac
ticed with common sense. Sometimes it becomes
reprehensibly foolish if the results going to be
deterioration and the breaking down of municipal
public service.
There should be exceptions to any policy of strict
economies In the of the District the most rigid
economies applied at time when Uncle Sans
purse was held wide open for every Federal depart
ment or bureau The District does not ask extrava-
CANT or wasteful appropriations now. 1t asks for
money to meet its actual needs and to prevent hurtfu
breakdowns in municipal activities.