Evening star., 1925-12-07
Work Is Summarized.

. x
ing appropriations.
Work Is Summarized.
After stressing these general quez
tions the Commissioners passed on fof
the consideration of the Legislators .
summary of the work of each depart
ment and agency of the municipality
together with the reCommenda tions OF
department heads for Improvements
in the service.
Fiscal relations between Uncle San
and his Capital City have been un-
settled since Congress departed from
the policy of dividing the cost of Dis
trlct maintenance on fixed percent
age basis and substituted a lump sum
of S9,o00.000 as the Federal contribu-
tion. Referring to this inportant
question. the Commissioners said IL
their report:
1T is greatly to be desired that the
SiXty-ninth Congress make thorough
study of the fiscal relations between
the United States and the District OF
Columbia and fix the status definitely
for a period of years. The present
indefinite status is detrimental to the
interests of both parties. The Com
/ missioners urge the creation OF joint
committee of the Senate and House Of
Representatives to settle this question
Ask Wider Powers.
THE Commissioners also urge tina.
this joint committee consider the ad-
visibility of revising the methods used
in dealing with District legislation and
the appropriations for District needs.
1t would appear desirable to delegate
TO the Commissioners additional au-
, thority with view to relieving Con
gress of the burden of dealing with
minor matters.
There should be more fieXibility in
the appropriations, that the Commis-
sfonerS may have the authority il
carrying on District affairs that is So
manifestly concurrent with their re
Sponsibilities. Quite often the Com
missioners are unable to carry on
work authorized by Congress because
the appropriations made for specific
purposes prove inadequate. The
lump sum method already authorized
for highway constructions and park
purcha ses should be extended to other
activities"
Calling attention to the growth o.
the city and the effect it has on ap-
preparations, the report continued:
The attention of Congress is most
earnestly invited to the rapid develop
ment of suburban properties, not only
in the District of Columbia but IN the
surrounding areas of Maryland and
Virginia. The appropriations made
for the District during and since the
war were not adequate and we are
now paying dearly. and will continue
to pay exorbitantly, for the economies
effected in District appropriations
during that period
Deficiencies Cost Heavily.
The wisest economy is that which
provides for unavoidable expenditures
at the time when the greatest savings
will result 1t is hoped that Congress
will give proper weight to this ac-
cumulated obligation. due to deficient
appropriations, in establishing the
fiscal relations. These deficiencies
are reflected in the rough condition OF
the street paving, the inadequate
street lighting, the lack of adequate
extensions of sewer and water mains,
the failure to provide school sites and
park and playground areas when they
could have been obtained at reason
able costs and in many other ways
The Commissioners earnestly hope
that the Sixty-ninth Congress will give
thoughtful attention to the recon-
, mendations set forth above"
The city heads do not list in then.
report the regulatory powers which
thoy DeleE6 ShOulQ De transferred
from the shoulders of Congress to the
Board of Commissioners, but a bill
to cover the recommendation is being
drafted at the District Building.
With regard to the recommendation
that more discretion be left to the
Commissioners in eXpending funds, it
is known that Maj. Daniel j. Dono-
van, city auditor, is preparing to sub
NIT to the appropriations committees
this year an alternate budget in which
this thought would be carried out.
Meets Serious Need.
The plan is to consolidate separate
appropriation items in each depart
ment so that unexpended balances
from one item may be used to meet
the need for an additional sum in
some other item. For example, in list
ing the new streets to be paved Con-
gress states the cost Of each job. but
so words the law that all of the paw
ing items are considered as one fund.