The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-06-21
OFFICIAL
TOS(JBN|T
ITEN|SBY
JULY
Preliminary Figures for Fiscal
Year Beginning JuIy, 1925,
Highest Ever

The preliminary estimates for
the District of Columbia for the
fiscal year beginning July 1,
1925, will exceed $4,000, 900, by
far the largest estimates in the
history of the National Capital,
it was indicated today. The
estimates must be submitted by
department heads to the District
Commissioners by this July, it
was ordered today by Commits
sioners Rudolph and Oyster.
$1S,OOO,OOO Increase.
The SAC, 100000 estimates repre-.
sent an increase of approximately
SIS, 100000 over the items carried in
the regular appropriation bill for
the District for the fiscal year now
coming to a close and an increase
Of about $12,oOO,oOO over the appro-
priation bill for 1925, not including
the deficiency and supplemental es-
Inmates.
Last years preliminary estimates
totaled $38, 100000. This was slashed
to $32 100000 by the Commissioners
before being sent to the Budget Blu
reau, where it was further cut to
SIS, ZOO, 900.
In view Of the fact that Congress
mas this year abandoned the time
nonored fiscal relationship between
the feoeral and District govern
menus, substituting a lump sum APP
preparation by the Federal Govern.
Inent, which is constant regardless
OF the total amount carried, the
commissioners are hopeful of secur.
ing total appropriations greatly OK.
They feel that, since the District is
10 be called upon to shoulder the
greater part of the burden, Con-
gress Will have no reason to greatly
restrict appropriations.
To Watch Expenditures.
There will be great care exercised.
however, the Commissioners stated
to see that the freedom from Con.
gressional pairing of the District
supply bill will not mean unneces.
sary expenditure Of the taxpayers
money. The Commissioners win
make a thorough Investigation OF
every item requested between July
/ and September is, when the esti.
mate must be submitted to the
Budget Bureau. The Bureau will
also rigidly examine every item and
act as a powerful check on unwar.
ranted expenditures.
The Commissioners have indicated
that they will ask for many OF the
items which were slashed from the
1925 appropriations bill, which win
become available July /. Chief
among these items are appropria-
tons Tor the erection Of a number
OF school buildings, school annexes,
and purchase of school sites.
The police and fire departments
also will fare better under the new
bills. Until the preliminary esti-
mates have been placed in their
hands, however, the Commissioners
will be unable to decide how far
they will be able to go in planning
for the needs Of any Of the indi.
viduaI departments, it was stated.
-Four Libraries Sought.
Appropriations for tho building Of
four branch libraries and the purS
chase Of $4,000 new library books.
and for the creation Of a circulating
library in every public school build
ing probably viii be provided III
the estimates.
According to Librarian George b
Bowerman, the city IL thoroughly
lacking in library facilities. He
probably will ask that fuIl!ttm0
libraries be opened In the EASTERN
and Armstrong high schools, with
four librarians In charge, and that
part.time libraries be opened in the
E. v. Brown school in Chevy Chase
books requested would be placed In
the Mt. Pleasant branch Ibrarys
now under construction.