The Washington times., 1928-10-05
Our Public School Needs Are
Foremost of D. c. Problems
THERE are naturally some differences between the DIS

THERE are naturally differences between the Lbs
trct Commissioners the Board of Education as to
budget requirements for our public schools in the next Dis
rict appropriation BILL but these differences musb oe %
usted that school needs in the future VIII not
Of all municipal functions the schools closest TO Dlstrlc
people and there is doubt to how public sentiment
stands this matter. Washington people are virtually
unanimous that District building Recommendations Budget
Bureau plans Congressional legislation and
shall all square with the outstanding desire that there shall
be no backward step as to schools
PAIRING of the District budget year be in
other directions public schools The slogan of seat
and fue instruction for every child is live in this
city ongough plans to bring about that desirable ana
Just condition officially opposed the Board OF Educaon
and the solid cizenry of Washington should straight to
Congress with their views
While existing laws do not charge the Board of Education
with authority directly frame and submit the school budget
to Congress there nothing prevent the board or any
body else from going before the House Appropriations SUP
committee District appropriations and pointing out The
positive necessities of the schools The committee WILL listen
to public requests and these requests may later be presented
IN the Senate.
There dual and irritating situation to public school
control here and in way it should be ended The
Commissioners the final authority to budget needs and
approve slash of the Board of Education they
see fit In all legislative matters affecting schools the board
must make It's recommendations through the Commissioners
who may pigeon otherwise. That is
why the board seeks direct access to Congress.
responsibility of the Commissioners for District budget
estimates is plain They must know what the different
municipal functions require in each fiscal year They must
know wha. the total income of the District from all
must be- They must allocate this income they think
advisable Their position all the difficult because they
wish to hold the District tax rate at the present figure and
still have sufficient funds to go round they were
indifferent to the increasing would be easy
allot all that District heads ask for.
The Commissioners are further hampered by the Budget
Bureaus budget limitations for another year That institution
slashes right and left It little for what Washington
people want Its orders from the White House. It is
Federal agency and should have part in District estimates
and appropriations The only for its grip District
finances is that Congress contributes the measly of
$a0o0ooo yearly District upeep This much less than
onefourth of the total.
Despite all this Of mixed authority and responsibility
the voteess people of Washington still have indirect voice
TO how their shall be distributed That voice should
have force at the District Building and in Congress When
It heard will proclaim that trimming of estimates and
appropriations for the fiscal year shall further
cripple District schools which make progress in reaching
the best standards of usefulness