The Washington times., 1923-09-07
WASHINGTON IS
BLOCKED IN
PROGRESS
Penurious U. 8. Policy Denies
City Betterinents Deemed
imperative.
Continued from Page $50

$32 500, 900 to $25,15O, 900. a slash Of
$3.50 900. Yesterday So, $50, 900 was
cut off and today 100000 more.
1--WE are sorry. but there Is moth
ing else we can do" the Commits
sioners offer as their explanation for
the elimination of the many projects
Washington had hoped would be in
cluded in the estimates.
1.-THE Budget Bureau has ordered
the cut and even though it means
practically stagnation for our city,
we must do IT.
The Commissioners feel that
tween $35, 900 900 and $45,O00,000
for 1925. The money il needed to
make numerous improvements to
the city. It Is not an extravagant
figure, they say.
When the Commissioners first
went to the budget bureau, they
asked for $32,5O0,000. They were
turned down without ceremony.
The bureau allowed them $25,15O.-s
900.
The budget allowance is insult
ficient for Washington. 1t does
not allow the city to progress. 1t
merely allows the city to continue
marking time" as it has been Tor
many years.
The first act Of the Commission
ers in considering which items TO
cut or strike out was to eliminate
initial appropriations to begin the
much needed water front improve
ment and modernization of the
antique electric lighting system.
Estimates SIashed.
Next the Commissioners turned to
the estimates of the police and fire
departments. Previous provisions
for sverai hundred additional men
for these departments were cut out.
These men are urgently needed. The
appropriations for new equipment
were also slashed, leaving both de-
partments with a budget about the
same as last year.
Schools followed. The Commits.
sioners called into conference Daniel
J. Callahan, president of the Board
of Education, and Frank w. Ballou,
superintendent Of schools, regarding
the cut. The slashing came. Inn
portant school needs were eliminat-,
ed. Schools lost from $500, 900 to ST.
900 900.
The engineer department came ip
for death blow. Plans OF Dis
trict officials to extend and improve
the sewer and water systems were
thrown aside. Estimates for such
things were eliminated. Washing
tonians, entitled to proper water and
sewer service, must wait. The water
and sewerage systems will show no
Improvement next year.
The Commissioners campaign for
greater appropriations for streets
came abruptly to an end. Only a
RoxxT 81. be- Lee
In the estimates. Several hundred
thousand dollars for street improve.
ments were eliminated.
And the slashipg continued, az
fecting the libraries, charities, hos
pitfalls. trees and parkings, health
department, Fairgrounds, arc IL
tect's office, and every other de.
partment Of the District govern
ment.
Talk of Bond Issue.
The Commissioners have, decided
that it Is their duty to make extra
efforts to get greater appropria--
tons for Washington and they are
considering several ways. One is
for a bond issue of $4,000, 900 or
more and the other is for a lump
sum appropriation from Congress,
the Commissioners to make up the
rest Of the money needed through
taxation.
The District Commissioners feel
that Washington should not come
under the Bureau of the Budget.
They do not believe that Federal
Government economy should resound
to the District Of Columbia; particu-
larry as it has in recent years.
Washington is unlike other cities.
The city itself knows its needs and
through its elected Representatives
appropriates. the money. Other
cities are constantly improving, but
Washington Is just marking time"
and hoping.
The Commissioners are now hope
full that Congress will allow them
some Of the improvements they were
forced to strike out.