Evening star., 1922-08-03
UNDER
THOSE LAST YEAR
S31,358, 900 Budget In
cIudes $1,700,000 for Fed
eraI Buildings.
LEAVES D. c. s29, $685. 900
Figures Submitted by Commits
sioners Represent Only
Departments.

Contrary to the general impression
of the last few days, the department
heads of the District government are
asking for less money for the next
fiscal year than they did last year. an
inquiry at the District building today
revealed.
1t was learned that the tentative es-
innate OF $31, 1858. 900, just submitted
to the budget bureau. includes a total
of sl,700.0o0 for upkeep of public
buildings and grounds. Geological
Park and the courts. Until this year
these federal agencies sent their es-
Inmates directly to the budget bureau.
Deduction OF those federal items
from the 1.35S,O0O brings the
amount actually estimated for by the
city bureaus down to S29,65s,000
II must also be remembered that
these figures which have gone to the
budget bureau represent only what
the department heads believe they
should have for next year. The Com
missioners have not yet gone over the
estimates. Consequently even $29.-
65S 900 does not represent the amount
which the city fathers will ask after
they have spent several weeks In
scrutinizing the expense accounts OF
their Subordinates.
Preliminary Statement.
This tentative report showing what
the departments heads have asked for
was sent to the budget bureau mere
ly as a preliminary statement to give
the Treasury some idea of what the
final estimate will be.
Last year. for instance. the esti-
mates as they reached the Commits
sioners from the department chiefs
aggregated $31, soc. 600. which did not
include the estimates of federal agen-
cies now include in the $31 ,35S,000 re-
quested this year.
From these figures it will be seen
that the officials who head the vari-
Gus departments of the city govern
ment have not asked for as much
this year as they sought a year ago.
OF course, they are asking for con-
siderably more than was actually al
lowed in the current appropriation
act. but that Is due to the fact the
congressional committees last year
eliminated many municipal improve
ments that are regarded as urgent at
the District building.
Last Years Pruning.
That the tentative budget Of $751;
35S, 900 now at the Treasury Depart
ment cannot be regarded as the es-
Inmates Of the Commissioners may be
readily seen by recalling how the
city heads pruned the sums asked for
last year.
At that time. as stated above. the
department heads asked for a total
of $31.So0.000. When the Commis-
sioners finished going over them they
sent to the budget bureau total or
only s27,537.723.
While the Commissioners felt that
they had practiced the golden rule
of economy as strictly as they could
without eliminating actual necessi-
ties. the appropriation law emerged
from Congress carrying only s23.521,-
$50. including the $240 bonus and GER
tain indefinite appropriations.
There are in the estimates as they
now stand increases for a number
Of municipal improvements which, It
Is believed. the people of the COM
munity will back to the limit.
100000 for Sewers.
The sewer department has ask ed
for 100000 more than Congress al
lowed this year.
The engineer department has rec
commended a million dollars more for
new streets than the small sum of
s233.00o granted this year.
The fire department has requested
an increase Of 100000 over current
appropriations. and the police S400. 900
more.
For continuing work on the new
water conduit $4,000. 900 is asked for
twice the sum appropriated this year.
To grant statutory employees of the
District government an increase in
pay for which they have been waiting
forty years. the estimates request
$40O 900 more than the present allot-
ment for salaries.
All of these items are for purposes
that vitality affect the welfare of the
community.