Evening star., 1923-05-13
UC. HEADS 0ASK
0H0R LIBERAL FUNDS
Seek to Continue Work on
IS Streets, Sewers and
Water Mains.

Liberal appropriations for continu-
q ing the task of putting washington
streets, sewers and water mains In
adequate condition will be requested
by the Commissioners in their esti-
mates for the fiscal year 1925, now In
course of preparation, it was learned
yesterday.
While the estimates have not yet
taken definite form, it Is known that
city officials are inclined again this
year to lay stress upon the vast
amount OF street, sewer and water
work that has accumulated since the
close of the war.
Last year the department heads
presented estimates to the Commits
sioners totaling more than $3O,oOo,Ooo,
but the budget bureau, after c0usld-
ering the requirements OF all govern
ment departments, decided that VA
100000 was the maximum amount
that could be submitted to Congress
for the upkeep of the National Capt
tai.
Ask for Estimates.
Budg& officials have asked the
Commissioners to let them know In
August what the total of the new
estimates will be. The budget officers
then will inform the Commissioners
what the limit will have to he this
year.
Although the regular estimates of
the Commissioners were reStrictel to
S24.500,000 last year. the budget bI-
reau permitted them to submit spe
cial list of urgent needs. some OF
which were later incorporated in the
recommendations to Consress.
Discussing the question of eS.i-
in Arfi
Commissioner Besson urged the Eari-
Gus civic interests of the city Ia
agree on the projects regarded as
most urgent and concentrate their
efforts toward obtaining them.
To Consider Need.
Commissioners Rudolph and oyster
both indicated yesterday that they
will consider carefully the need for
street improvements. sewers and
mates.
Here is what the budget bureau
transmitted to Congress last year for
the highway division: For paving
roadways under the permit system,
$4,000: for new street improvements,
S730.000; grading, $4,000. and re-
pairs to existing surfaces, S550,000.
Total, S1.365,000.
All of these items were allowed
by Congress, except that for new inn
provements. which was reduced to
S573,300. But the Commissioners in
their tentative estimates to the bud
get bureau had requested consider
ably more than the budget bureau
allowed.
1t is probable that the new esti-
mates will include close to a million
dollars for street improvements for
the year beginning July l, 1924.
Million for Sewers.
The sewer department. il was
stated recently, also could spend eco
nontically more than million in one
year on urgently needed sewer projects.
1t is likely that the estimates of
the engineer department will include
n request for funds to begin the
organization of motor transport
corps for the city government.
At the present time each branch
of the service has its own trucks
and passenger cars 1t is believed
that greater economy and efficiency
would result If all motor vehicles
were under centralized control and
dispatched for service as needed.
Wants Larger Sums.
Commissioner Oyster. it is under
stood. intends to work for larger ap-
preparations for the police and fire
departments to give these agencies
needed equipment and additional men.
When the rush of work incident to
the Shrine convention is over the
Comm ssoiners will buckle down in
earnest to the preparation Of esti-
mates.
Maj. Besson. the acting engineer
commissioner, will not leave the Dis
trict building for his new Army as
signment at Fort Leavenworth until
July /, and. therefore. will be able
to get next years estimates in tenta-
tive shape for the new Engineer Com
missioner.