The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-11-17
The Budget Bureaus Power
in District Finances
By BILL PRICE

Senator WESLEY L. JONES, ranking Republican member
Of Senate Committee quoted as mpathzng
with local public sentiment against the Budget Bureaus
control District financial affairs
It hoped that Senator Jones will remain OF that opinion
and will give support legislation removing the Budget
Bureaus authority to pass upon the annual local budget
The only possible for the Budget Bureau cutting ana
sashinr District estimates to Congress that through exist
ing arrangement District appropriations are included
in the total Federal appropriations by Congress each
wear There would be for the Budget Bureau
taking part financial affairs the Federal Government
and that ratio increased with the increasing needs OF the
Federal Capital
Instead Of such ratio thereby denotng Federal Gov
enments deep interest in its Capital the existing policy
of Congress contribute just 100000 each year to
the District appropriation BILL leaving District taxpayers to
hear burden Of increasing municipal upkeep Nothing
could be unaer than this but house
the House Appropriations Committee insist on tn ana
influences able defy the wishes Of the Sen
for liberal Federal attitude toward Washington
The Budget Bureau in slashng the estimates OF the DIS
trict COMMISSIONER is saving the Federal Government
penny The lump Of 100000 appropriated no matter
what the size Of the total appropriations All the money
out of the pockets of the people OF the Dis
trict. y
The only effect of Budget slahng cripple the
pressing District and accomplish nothing IN the
way of genuine economy The estimates for the next fiscal
year submitted the bureau by the Commissioners who
District These officials not inclined to be waste
u of the money Of the people of this city They not
anxious have rates here going up each year They
would be lowered but they must be mindful OF the
municipal needs Of this rapidly growing city They cannot be
unworthy Of their positions If they did The estimates they
submit are honestly and carefully made and should not be
slashed just for the sake Of slashng.
The sasing does not stop with the Budget Bureau It is
continued in the Appropriations Committee members
inclined Since this committee evolved the lump sum
rampant IN pruning taking the posi-
ton District people pay the bulk Of the to
run Federal Capital they should have what they want and
willing to pay for
These District estimates, therefore through two slash
ing machines after leaving the District Building One
that is Congress the committee representing
IT, The District Commissioners should have all the of
District Budget Bureau and there should be no other budget
power between them and Congress- the final authority
The Budget Bureau as national affair wise thing It
was created eliminate waste and extravagance and 70 aid
Congress In placing governmental affairs business plane
s action on estimates Is not final Congressional committees
exercise their own Judgment but the work Of the Budget Blu
reau Is most useful in preliminary way.
There positively sound fair reason for Budget Bu
reau domination Of District fiscal matters and Congress
should eliminate it