Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-14
Suggests Estimates Be Kept
Within Limits of FiVe-Year
Financial Program.
DEPARTMENTS REQUESTS
AMOUNT TO S53,O56,5O5
Auditor Urges Reduction to Equal
Revenue Available and to
Protect Cash Fund.

OOhStucLaSiOl vi tAlc dppiOpIAd6tOA Ic
quests of the department heads of the
District government was started today
by the Commissioners preparatory to
framing = tentative municipal budget
for the 1881 fiscal year.
The department heads, q final tabu-
lation shows. have asked for $50 ,O56, sos,
an increase of $l1 ,46l, $3.50 over the ap-
propriations provided by Congress for
| the coming fiscal year beginning July /.
Maj. Daniel j. Donovan, auditor and
budget officer, recommended to the
Commissioners, however, that the esti-
mates not exceed $48,552 600, the
amount suggested In his recent fiye-year
financial program.
Would Exceed Revenue.
Donovan urged the reduction on the
ground that the appropriations asked by
the department heads not only would
exceed the revenue availability for 1891
by 81 .983 sos. but would also wipe out
the Districts cash operating fund. On
the basis of the suggested $48, $50 200
budget however, he pointed out there
would be left III the revenue availability
at the close OF the 1881 fiscal year a
free cash operating fund of 2,521 900.
The budget requests OF the depart
ment heads exceed by several million
dollars those of last year which the
commissioners finally reduced to ap-
proximately $4O,O0O,00O. The budget
total of $48552, 900 recommended by
Donovan, however, Is the largest he
has ever indorSed.
Aside from the $53.O56. sos requested
by the various departments, Donovan
explained that $3.OOO,0OO will be
sought in the urgent efficiency appro-
priation bill at the regular session OF
Congress in December for the pur-
chase of a part of the municipal
center site and $500, 900 for beginning
the construction Of high temperature
incinerators fou the distinctions Of
combustible refuse. This win leave
! $4,000 900 to be carried in the 1891
estimates for the acquisition OF the
remainder of the site for the Inuni-
cipal center and $3.50. 900 for the COM
pletiOn of the incineratOrs.
Education Item Biggest.
The estimates of the Board Of Edu-
cation as usual represent the largest
single item in the budgetary request
The regular school estimates call for
$l3, 3,725, 900. The School Board also sub
mitted list of SupplementalS amount
ing to $1.10l 900, which Donovan told
the Commissioners were not intended
as additional school needs but for the
purpose of substitution If necessary.
The school estimates, according to the
auditor. exceed by 81 800 ,9O2 the amount
appropriated for the public schools for
the coming fiscal year. Substantial in
crease in appropriations also are sought
by nearly all other municipal depart
mentS. The only departments which
did not ask for funds greater than the
appropriation for the 1890 fiscal year
are the National Capital Park and Plan
ming Commission and the National
Training School for BOYS.
For the information Of the CommiS-
sioners i'll preparing the tentative esti-
mates for the Budget Bureau. Donovan
drafted statement showing the amount
of money that will be available in the
1881 fiscal year on the basis of con-
tinuing the present tax rate of $1.70
with no increase in the annual 50 000,-
900 lump sum contribution Of the Fed
eral Government.
Receipts Are Listed.
The estimated receipts from the tax
on real estate and tangible personal
property. the auditor calculated, will
amount to $22 ,338. 900. The tax on in
tangibles he figured will produce $2,-
$50 900. while the tax on public utilities,
banks and loan associations, according
to his calculations, will yield So $40 900.
To these figures he added the So 900. =
900 lump sum contribution of the Fed
eral Government, miscellaneous receipts.
estimated at $300O,OOO gasoline tax
revenues, estimated at 81 600 900; water
revenues, estimated at 81 $50 900: trust
and special funds amounting to So
040 1000, and $350,000 as the release of
cash reserve for uneXtended appropl ia
ton balances, making \ grand total of
sol .0730
As the appropriation requests exceed
this Sol,O73,O0O availability by 1888 =
500 and entirely use up the Districts S
cash operating fund, Donovan said the
total budget estimates should be TRIM
med To $48. .552 600, which would leave
! the revenue availability at the close of
the 1881 fiscal year q free cash operat-
ing fund of So .52l 900.
Donovan'S five-year financial program
showed balance to the credit of this
fund at the close of the 1881 year of
So ,02l 900. The decreased difference of
$500 900, he explained, is due to the
present intention TO requests, larger
initial appropriations for the municipal
center and high temperature incinera-
tors in the fiscal year 1890 than were
| contemplated in his program.