Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-06-09
EDUCATION BOARD
DECLINES PART IN
STUDY OF BUDGET
Continued From First Page.)

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officials reduced the fuel, light and
power item by $4,000.
Compilation Held ProblematicaL
Maj. Wilmarth explained last night
that the compilation of fuel estimates
are of necessity problematical, since it
is impossible for officials to determine
in advance just how much fuel will De
needed. The length and severity of
Winter weather, and the number Of
dark days neceSSitating the lighting of
school classrooms during class hours,
are factors governing the amount of
fuel and electricity needed Hence, he
pointed out, the amount of money
needed for this item is bound to be
guesswork. based on the averages of
preceding years.
The school system officers, he said,
calculate carefully when they prepare
fuel estimates and when those items
are forwarded to the Commissioners
they represent thoughtful study on the
part Of the persons involved in the ad
miniStration of the schools fuel allot-
ments. The cutting of 5000 from this
item by the Budget Bureau was re-
garoed with serious apprehension and.
Maj. Wllmarth explained. the school
officers undertook to practice the strict
est economy in regard to fuel and light
Despite this program, he said, when
the state of emergency was outlined to
the Commissioners last Wednesday, no
funds for the purchase of needed fuel
were available. The allowance of the
deficiency by the Commissioners per-
mitted the schools to obligate the Cow
eminent for an amount not to exceed
$4,000.
Direct Action Is Urged.
This is the sort of information which
the superintendent of schools is ex-
pected to give the Commissioners dur
ing their consideration of the school
estimates during the next three days
The Board of Educations instructions
to DR.. Ballou to refrain from advising
in possible cutting of the boards esti-
mates is in direct line with the recent
agitation to have the Commissioners
adopt hands off" policy with respect
TO school estimates.
The board has contended consistently
that its estimates should be transmit
ted by the Commissioners unchanged
to the Budget Bureau, but with such
recommendations as the Commission
ers may wish to make in view of other
District government department needs
1t Is not known at present what sum
the Commissioners propose to set as the
total school budget for 1881, but they
tentatively have decided to seek a total
appropriation of $48, 900, 900 for the Dis
trlct. This amount was advised by
Daniel j. Donovan, auditor and budget
officer for the District, as a sum which
can be supported by the existing tax
rate and Use OF the surplus revenue to
the credit OF the District in the Federal
Treasury, In his summary of the de-
partmental estimates prior to suggest
ing $4,000 900 as a logical total budget,
Maj. Donovan pointed out that the
Commissioners are required by section
2l5 OF the budget and accounting act to
revise all departmental estimates before
submitting them TO the Budget Bureau.
Almost Third of Total.
The estimates submitted early last
month by the Board of Education total
$l3,724,500. Using $51,073,000 as the
total District revenue, the school board
seeks approximately three and a quar-
ter million dollars less than one-third
Of the total revenue. which proportion
should be allowed public schools.
While no indication of the total to be
allowed the schools has been forthcom-
ng, the Commissioners announced
definitely on May 80 that they intended
0 give the schools more careful con-
Liberation than ever before. 1t was in
Import of this decision that they in
ited the Board of Education to go
over the school estimates in detail with
them.