The Washington times., 1925-01-13
FinanciaIElasticity Paramount
in Municipal Needs and
Emergencies
By BILL PRICE.


needs is worthy of all the cooperation it possO
to give him. -. ).
unanimous in asking welfare be given more consd-
eraton will agree placing at the disposal OF the Co
contingent funds that be used to meet stuaEons
or conditions impossible anticipate far in advance
The strict Commissioners m"st send to the Budce BEar
of year estimates OF what they Will need
year from then sometimes more tran year rms sort
thing may safely to municipal needs that are not
subject sudden changes to unexpected developments
The temporary paralysis of traffic in this town because OF
the fall is Just illustration There are others
which seriously affect the and growth OF TINS
ful city.
Congress insists upon holding District appropriations
definite limits without the least latitude as to or
imperative needs that may arise without warning.
In self governed city it is always possible for the city
council to and promptly In this District we are
denied this right and blessing Our appropriations are made Tor
far in advance and existing laws and usage say we must
not exceed those appropriations Our only resemblance to
self governed community is that do occasionally wiring
from Congress deficiency appropriations
The truth that Washington is longer country town is
making It's way into minds quite slowly Instead of
seeing this and preparing in advance city ambasted
in Congressional speeches.
The nsistence Of Congress doing what it thinks the
city viii need and failure make appropriations
elastic is seriously affecting the material welfare of the Dis
tct in single important instancethe building of homes
and construction generally. 4
Take the water department of the District Government as
succinct illustration That department is wholly sesupport
ing The Federal Treasury does not supply penny Yet
funds for the extension Of water mains low that little
be done until July unless deficiency appropa
ton made Just why Congress- with the real facts before
Il pesteny refuses authorize liberal appropriations for
water extensions no being understand citizen
II
water mains This assessment supplemented from other funds
that department ample to meet all costs and permit
citizen who wishes water to have it.
No glazing example Encouragement the municipal
affairs Of Washington is to be had than this town
council placed In the same position Congress In refused
to aid in the home building Of city this the members
would be mobbed.
water Congress after cuts appropriations
20 the bone despite the that there little financial
1 tn res ar. laid a. te eE
pense Of the citizen who has home IS building
to the builder who putting number of houses for
SALE heavy special assessment per front foot imposed
the OF property putting in connections Be
sides this special the citizen pays his regular
the special assessment does not quite meet the cost the
balance paid from general District funds which the
Federal Government is contributing only oNEToURTH
The surveyors office is likewise factor in the growth Of
Washington Subdviding plots Of ground for building
be done by that office and for individuals about to build
sell somebody else build The surveyors office is
annually restricted definite expenditures there happens
TO be rush Of work there delay, losing to the citizen
The similar building inspectors Office
where building plans must be passed and buildings
regularly inspected after erection begun manesty
unfair to putting his money building construction
that he frequently denied quick action 1t manfeSty
unfair to the progress of the community a whole
Congress cannot anticipate the future in
these Yet deliberately limits the appropriations
the four instances named and limits them along the most
measey lines.
We promised that the lump scheme of Federal
participation in District affairs through Congress
little about how much money spent in municipal i'm
provement Has that promise been fulfilled? Doesn't the
Budget Bureau estimates freely and doesn't Congress
In water construction surveys building in
specton school construction and other matters why
isn't possible give the Commissioners latitude
year-attude which they would abuse? Yet growth
and welfare Of Washington depends something of this
kind in the future and is the duty of all good citizens
In bringing this about.
As these very mentioned hberaity all
important for the CITY there in the
day close to 100000 in which Congressional
mtee has fairly decided after prolonged investigation
longs to the District having accumulated under previous
financial agreements This committee trying
turn that money the municipal
meet urgent municipal needs Justice demands that
mees views should be accepted by Congress The Senate
has already acted avorab This would 90 far toward
lettering conditions and meeting exjgencies
But irrespective of what happens to that fund the
District deserves fair play from Congress in meeting
emergencies and needs with funds that tied
down with bands of iron Building construction here
has been wonderful has been severely handicapped bv
small and limited appropriations for and
necons and shortage of employees :" be building Inspector