The Washington times., 1922-09-17
GENERAL LORDS.
CUTS IN BUDGET.
WORK SERIOUS.
INJURY To CITY.
Letter to Director Pleads for
Better Treatment of ,
." Capital. ,
NEED OF PAVING CITED
Importance Greater, Since
Example Means Much
Elsewhere.


Two years OF, stagnation in civic
development, which will result in
permanent injury to the city, faces
the National Capital.
This was the statement made by
the District Commissioners in
their letter transmitting the esti-
mates for the needs of the Dis
trict to Brig. Gen. H. M. Lord,
director Of the budget, yesterday.
Washington to Retrograde.
Washington WIFI go backward. the
District Commissioners assert, un-
less there Ii a change In policy On
the part Of the Director Of the
Budget.
The lives of half a million people
and hundreds Of millions of dollars
worth Of property is jeopardized by
the order Of the Budget Director
that the District Estimates for next
year be cut 81, 400, 900 less than cur
rent appropriations, the Commits
sioners declared, in a letter to that
officer.
The s24,5s2.516 maximum total
ehO"cu ny tHc DuuBtt bHcCtOE
represents the minimum to preserve
public order, and to keep the com.
munity safe from possible hazards
Of riots and, perhaps. great con-
flagrations, the letter said.
1T does not go beyond this and
is not quite adequate for the health
or comfort of the people who. under
these estimates, would continue to
suffer from crowded schools, un.
paved streets, inadequate water and
sewer service, an insufficient stand
ard Of public lighting and other
remedial evils and inconveniences,"
the letter continues.
The Budget Director is going to
force on the District, the commits
sioners set forth, conditions that
would not be tolerated in any other
modern, growing municipality.
improvements Neglected.
I'm spite Of the record breaking
building construction recently expert
enced in Washington, and promising
to continue for some time to come,
the estimates include not a single
dollar for the extension Of the prin.
cipal lines of water mainssor for ad.
ditions to our system Of sanitary
sewers and only $50, 900 for the paw
ing of streets, and but slight pro-
vision for public school betterments."
Calling attention to the failure to
construct storm sewers, due to lack
Of appropriation, the Commissioners
declare that conditions are such as
to demand construction upon a gen.
erous scale II the residents are to be
relieved from further serious dam
age to their property and possibly
to their persons.
"The very essentials of what we
regard as purely American progress
and civilization are at stake in that
the city of Washington, which
should OF all cities In the United
States be q shining example in sani.
tation and in conditions generally.
fs not only not achieving this high
standard, Is not constantly becom-
ing a better place to live in. but is
actually going backward.
"As evidence of this, we cite the
fact that. during the past year, so
great has been the increase in the
number Of dwellings unprovided
with sewer and water service that
the number Of surface closets, the
cost of which is borne by the Dis
trict treasury, has increased neariv
Is per cent. This is retrogression.
not progress-a reproach 10 the
city and to the nation.
Many Streets Improved.
citing the building activity that
has been going on west Of the
Soldiers Home, the Commissioners
declare that for many blocks there
can be seen street after street,
solidly built with attractive and
substantial homes. Practically all
Of these streets are unpaved and
many of them aare impossible in
winter. In no other city would
they be permitted to remain long
In their present condition, and the
property owners and residents are
Justified In the numerous complaints
made by them"
Unless appropriation is made for
such streets, II is pointed out, they
will reach that condition where
later paving will cost more than
would be saved by practicing
economy at this time.
"The growth of the city," adds
the letter to General Lord. has far
out-stripped the extension Of the
large water mains, needed to permit
adequate service without excessive
cost for pumping; and so-called storm
sewers, needed to take care OF the
surface drainage for which natural
water courses are no longer avail.
able. are seriously lacking, so tat
premises are now extensively flooded
by comparatively small storms and,
moreover, much damage Is being
done by the erosion caused by the
torrential character now assumed by
the run-off."
Unless storm sewers are speedily
provided for residents are certain
to experience serious losses, the
{ )nnmissioners warn. 4
Liberal Treatment Asked. =.
The Commissioners declare they
are desirous of cooperating with
the budget director and TO conform
10 the desire of the President for the
utmost economy. but feel they
should be given a hearing to press
" Continued on Page 20J