The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-12-25
100000
INCREASE
LIKELY
indications Are that Amount
Recommended by Bureau
Will Be Increased

b the District of Columbia, may
Increase the District appropriation
bill to more than $4,000, 900, or
about 100000 more than the
basic appropriations for the current
fiscal year, according to indica-
tons on Capitol Hill.
Members of the House Appropria.
tons Committee, which will begin
hearings on the bill Monday, have
stated that they are In favor Of
increasing certain Of the items In
the bill which will raise the total
Of $32,S35,S27, recommended by the
Budget Bureau, by at least $3,-
100000.
Among the increases which stand
the best chance for adoption by the
committee, it is said, are items of
nearly 100000 for purchase of
parks, $4,000 for the moderniza.
ton Of text books in the public
schools, funds for construction of
several badly needed school build
tngs and many miscellaneous items
The granting of all the proposed
increases. it is stated, is contingent
upon the retention of the lump sum
plan of appropriation from the
Federal Treasury toward DistricI
needs. This plan was inaugurdted
In the current appropriation bill,
Congress appropriating a flat $a,-
900. 900 toward the District In lieu
of the previous appropriation of 40
per cent OF the total expenses
To this plan, however, the Dis
trict Commissioners are by no means
willing to agree. They. are planning
to request that Congress return to
the time-honored plan of a fiscal
ratio in appropriating for the Dis
trict's needs. Members Of the APP
preparations Committee are de-
termined not to yield on this point,
and it is almost certain that q
bitter controversy will rage over the
matter.
1t is regarded as certain by House
members that the lump sum plan
will be retained this year. They cite
THE overwhelming vote of the House
by which the plan was adopted last
year as proof of their contention
that there will be no change this
year.
Commissioners to Be Called.
It. Is planned to bring up the mat
ter at the first meeting Of the ap.
preparations subcommittee Monday
morning. The District Commission
ers and Auditor Daniel Donovan will
be summoned before the committee.
The fight of the District officials
for restoration of the fiscal ratio
plan Is expected to last at least until
Wednesday, when the committee
will recess over New Years. Day.
A final vote on the plan may not
be taken by the committee until
after January l.
When the question has been set.
tied once, however, and the trou.
bled waters are quieted, the COM
mittee expects smooth sailing on the
remainder of the BILL,
In case the lump.sum plan is re.
tanned it is regarded as practically
certain that there will be increases
allowed in many items in the bill.
Congressman Charles r. Davis, Of
Minnesota, chairman of the subcom-
mittee. has promised that il the
lunTp-sum plan is continued he will
treat the bill with ''the greatest lib.
erality." If the fiscal ratio plan is
adopted, however, it is threatened,
a keen axe is ready to lop off large
chunks from the various items.
Current Funds SSO,S54,1I5.
The basic appropriation bill for the
current fiscal wear totals S27.6So .
O67, though subsequent supplemental
and deficiency appropriations swelled
the total to $30,354,115.
A concerted effort probably will
be made by members of Congress to
have the Appropriation Committee
increase the amount allowed by the
Budget Bureau for expenditure by
the newly created National Capital
Park Commission.
The amount allowed by the bureau
for this purpose is 5000, 900. In the
law creating the commission, Con-
gress stipulated that an appropria-
ton not to exceed cent for each
Anhabitant of the United States, or
qAout $1.100,000 should be made.
Congressman Ernest w. Gibson,
OF Vermont, chairman Of a special
subcommittee of the House District
committee charged with park, legis-
lation for the District, will head a
delegation which will appear before
the appropriations subcommittee to
request the addition of more than
100000 for the purchase Of the
Rlingle valley, Piney branch valley
ana Patterson park tracts.
InraI paVlfa