Evening star., 1927-04-26
SEPARATE BUDGET
PROPOSED FOR D. c.
Research institute Report to
Congress, Drafted by VIII
loughby, Outlines Benefits.
BY WILL z. KENNEDY.

Elimination of the District of Co
iumbia budget from the Federal
budget system, making the District
Commissioners responsible for the finan
cial and work program Of the munci-
cipality. will be recommended to Con.
gress, when the national legislative
body reassembled, by the Institute for
Government Research. after an extern
sive and comprehensive study Of the
national budget system with view
to making suggestions for its improve
nent.
This report already has been pre-
pared by William II. Wilioughby, di.
rector of the institute, which took 9
leading part hi the establishment ot
the budget system that has now beer
i'm operation for more than five years
The institute is an association of citi
Gems for cooperating with public off
cials in the scientific study of gov
ernment with view to promoting eff.
cheney and economy and advancing
the science OF administration. In its
relations with Congress it seeks to
assist by scientific study and research
in laying a solid foundation of infor.
nation and experience upon which re.
forms may be successfully built. Rob
ert S. Brookings is chairman and
Frederick A. Delano treasurer of the
institute.
Sees Special Situation.
In a previous work in 1923 on the
reorganization of the administrative
branch of the Government, which was
one of the same series of studies in
administration, DIR. Willoughby point
ed out that one of the important steps
that should be taken for the improve
ment of the organization of the ma
tional Government is to withdraw as
far as possible from the field of local
administration. In the case of the
District of Columbia, he says, it is
recognized that the situation is spe-
cial one, and that the present arrange
ment whereby Congress acts as the
local legislature for the District may
have justification.
This arrangement, however, ''frr-
nishes no jurisdiction for many ad.
ministrative duties which are of a
purely local concern being under.
taken by national administrative
agencies" according to DIR. Willough-
by's report, that is ready for sub
mission to Congress.
The principle that should be fol.
lowed should be that of vesting in
the local government complete re-
sponsibility for the conduct of local
affairs" DIR. Willoughby emphasizes.
Treated Like Department.
He points out that as matters now
stand, not only do purely national
agencies, such as the War DeEart.
ment. have charge of local matters,
but from the standpoint Of financial
administration the District of Column
hia Is treated practically as an admin
lstratiYe department. It's estimates
have to be submitted to the Bureau
or the Budget and are there passed
upon and revised precisely as are the
estimates Of the Federal administra-
tive agencies This most important
executive function, that of making
known to the money-raising and
money granting authority, the finan.
claI requirements of the organization
administered, is performed, not by
the executive organ of the District
government. but by Federal officer,
DIR. Willoughby stresses.
He submits that this is both wrong
in principle and unsatisfactory in
practice"
Congress having set up a local gov
ernment, and placed at its head the
Commissioners of the District" he
says, should make 1t a part of the
responsibilities of those officers to sub.
NIT to it an annual budget. CORE
spending to the Federal budget, in
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