Evening star., 1923-11-11
An Economical, Liberal Budget.

An Economical, Liberal Budget.
Work in preparation of the annual
budget is practically completed, the
Var Departments figures having been
agreed upon, and all that now remains
% be done is to finish off a few de-
-ails, prior to final printing and sub.
mission to the President for presenta-
lion by him to Congress. While re-
renchment of expenditure involves
many disappointments and defeats
many worthy projects. this work has
been done in a manner to give assur-
ince to the country that the essential
operations Of the government will be
conducted with normal efficiency, and
hat at the same time economy will be
accomplished. 1t is estimated that the
budget as d whole will effect a reduc-
ion in national expenditures for the
next fiscal year of about $4,000, 900.
Yet this saving will not, so far as the
material totals for the departments
and bureaus are now known, entail
any Gripping reduction of their activi-
lies.
Local interest in the budget is keen,
since, despite the contention that the
District estimates should not be SUBJ
jected to the pruning process of the
budget bureau, inasmuch as go per
cent of the funds to be expended are
supplied by local taxation, and there
mas been no war-extravagance in mu-
licipal outlays to demand retrench-
nent, the Capital municipality is
placed upon the same basis as the fed
eral organization in the matter Of
fund allotments.
The first requirement by the budget
director that the District estimates
must be reduced to a little more than
S25.000.000 compelled a drastic cut in
the Commissioners figures, themselves
The result of a severe trimming Of the
recommendations and requisitions of
the subordinate department heads. 1t
was then explained that this limita-
lion was intended as test rather than
as d positive maximum. The test re-
suited in the disclosure Of the most
urgent needs of the District in the
course of the hearings, at which the
Commissioners defended their esti.
mates effectively.
Now it is indicated that the District
estimates will be stated in the budget
as it is submitted to Congress at about
$4,000, 600 more than the supposed
maximum limit In other words, the
more vitality essential needs have been
provided for. the increases pertaining
to the schools, street improvements,
sewer extensions and other urgent
works. With a budget approximating
S27 900, 900, prepared by this process of
preliminary pruning and later expan-
sion upon disclosure and proof Of ac-
tual necessity, the District is in a way
20 receive satisfactory treatment in
The framing of the appropriations for
1924-25
Last year the budget bureau went
only s50O.000 over the dead line"
drawn in the first stage. This year the
additional allowance is S2.000,0 900, four
times as much. This is beyond official
expectation and is most gratifying.
These figures will go to Congress with
the sanction of the director Of the
budget and the final approval Of the
President. They will be fully justified
by the municipal requirements, which
are in. sad arrears in practically all re-
spects. They will be justified as well
by the fact that the District. in addi-
ton to its regular revenues for meet
ing its 60 per cent Of the cost of Capt.
tai maintenance, has to its credit in
the Treasury between four and five
million dollars. the accumulations Of
years of adequate taxation and under.
appropriation.
The Districts thanks are due to
Gen. Lord, director of the budget, for
his thoughtful, sympathetic considera-
tion of it's needs, particularly in view
Of the requirement resting upon him
to effect a material reduction in the
grand total Of the estimated cost of
the governments operations during
the next fiscal year. The Commits
the measure of success which has
crowned their vigorous labors in this
Line Of Capital upbuilding.
OF course, there are many accum11
lated unmet municipal needs which
this years budget will leave unsatis-
fed. 1t is impossible to meet these
needs fully from current revenue. Ap-
preparation of the Districts Treasury
surplus on the half-and-half plan will
furnish nine or ten millions toward
bringing the Capitals municipal equip
ment fully up to date, and il more
money is needed for great permanent
public improvements a federal ad-
vance like that between 1900 and 1910
or a carefully restricted bond-issue
viii be available.