The Washington times., 1922-12-05
HEARINGS
To OPEN
. DEG. IS !,
Committee Members in House
Look Upon Requests as
Conservative.

The District of Columbia's
chances of getting through prac-
tically the entire $25, 043 900 bud
get for 1924 appeared very bright
in the House today. Members
generally look upon the estimates
as very conservative and deserv-
ing of more than the usual con-
sideration. ...
The fact that no new streets
are included in the budget, only q
small increase in the estimates
Of the fire and police departments
and the more than a 100000
decrease in the school budget has
impressed many congressman.
Hearings Begin, Dec. Is.
Hearings on the estimates we've
scheduled to begin on December Is,
but the illness of two members OF
the subcommittee on District ap.
preparations makes this data uncer.
tain now.
Congressman Charles r. Davis,
of Minnesota, chairman of the Dis
trict Committee, Is i'll at his home
in this city. He has been sui
fering from a severe cold for the
past week. His secretary said to-
day he did not know when the
Congressman would return to his
work. 1880 81.
Congressman Johnson of Ken
lucky is also i'll. but his secretary
said today he would be In good
shape before the hearings began
unless something Unforeseen hap
pens. johnson was in Washington
last week for several days, but re-
turned to Kentucky. Like Davis
he Is suffering from a severe cold.
The only member of the District
Appropriations Committee who IL on
the job is Congressman Robert E.
Evans Of Nebraska.
Daniel J. Donovan, District audi
tor, and the District Commissioners
are the first witnesses to appear
at the hearings. 1t is expected
they will urge larger appropriations
than provided by the budget.
In the arguments of the Commits.
sioners, II is expected they will re.
iterate a declaration Of some months
ago that the budget program Of $24,-
500 900, which the Budget Bureau
at one time declared would be the
Districts limit, would retard the
city's progress. Since then the bu.
reau has allowed an additional
$780, 900.
School officials. II is said, plan a
direct plea to the subcommittee for
greater appropriation than tina,
provided in the budget.
Three Appropriations Safe.
Generally the budget provides no
increased appropriations over what
was allowed last year. 1t 10 not be-
lieved that the subcommittee win be
inclined to increase the $26.043. 900
figure, but It is thought they win be
| willing to retain practically every
dollar allowed in the budget.
Three major appropriations, II ap
peared certain today, would be az
proved by the subcommittee. Thes
are the appropriation for eight ne,
pieces Of fire apparatus, twelve new
school projects and $790,000 to I'm
prove the main highways Of Wash
ington.
The $500. 900 item for continuing
work on the new water conduit will
be retained. T. =
City Off,cials Pleased. I.
Chairman Cuno H. Rudolph Of III
Board Of District Commissioners
and Engineer Commissioners Kelle
today both expressed their ,deligh,
over the treatment of their appro
priation requests by the Budget
Bureau. %
They pointed out that the needs OF
the District were admirably serve,
by the diverting OF the more thar
million bonus appropriation tc
urgent needs within the Nations
Capital, leaving the bonus an ar
open question for Congress.
Careful study given by the Bulge,
Bureau to particular items pressed
by the Commissioners which result
ed in favorable decisions, they said
was deeply appreciated.