Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-26

Education, the Commissioners and Con-
gress we're based solely on an effort to
focus public attention on the need OF
greater liberality In the matter Of ap-
preparations toward the public schools"
IT have no comment to make upon
Mr.. Simmons letter, because do not
believe that any controversy between us
would produce material benefit to the
public school system" DR.. Carusi said
this morning just as he received the
letter from Mr.. Simmons. DR.. Carusl
continued. "There has been no co1tre,-
versy between us and I have always
considered Mr.. Simmons true friend
of public education. My sole purpose
In my recent activities for improved re-
lations between the Board of Education,
the Commissioners and the Congress
were, for the sole purpose Of focusing
the public's attention on the absolute
need, of greater liberality toward the
public schools in expending of the tax
payers money In that I believe we
have been eminently successful"
II have your letter Of April the 22d,
requesting that meet with the Board
of Education Friday. April rs, at 2
o'clock D. m, at which time you desire
10 OlSEUSS Will tllC CCAb6Al AANGVACAAR VA
policy In regard to expenditures for the
schools of Washington.
1T noted by the Sunday press that
some time last week 1t had been agreed
that should be invited to meeting
of the board for the purpose of, going
over with the board the various items
for the coming budget requests, and
while your letter does not so indicate,
I presume that this is the purpose OF
your invitation to- me.
st am ready to discuss at any; time
school matters with the school ofdciAls
think, however, it will readily occur
to you that any discussion of items on
my part with the school oficials prior
to the submission of these items to the
Commissioners, the Bureau of the
Budget and to Congress would be de-
cidedly unwise.
Would Avoid Discourtesy.
sThe estimates and requests for
funds submitted by the Board, Of Edu-
cation are subject to revision and de-
auctions or additions may be made
thereto by the Board of Commissioners.
The same is true of the Bureau of the
Budget, and after these two agencies
have reviewed and, If need be, revised
your request for funds. the Budget
Bureau submits them, under the law,
to the committee on appropriate items Of
the House. For me to approve or dis
approve requests for expenditures prior
to their submission to the Commission
ers would very obviously result in. an
embarrassment to the Commissioners,
the Bureau of the Budget and to the
committee on appropriations. 1t would
be, to say the least, discourteous act
on. my part to the Commissioners of
the District Of Columbia and to the
Bureau Of the Budget for me to sit in
with any division of the District gov
eminent when it makes up its requests
for funds
Il am not In sympathy with the plan
that has been advanced by the Board
Of Education under your leadership to
the effect that the requests Of the Board
Of Education for funds must be SUBJ
mitted to the Bureau of the Budget and
to Congress by the Commissioners In
total and without revision, allowing the
Commissioners only the recommends
ton as to what part of it shall be 'al-
lowed and what part disallowed. The
Board of Education Is but one division
of the District government. I do not
believe that the school estimates should
be entitled to any other rule of con-
ASdC1 dttOil blthIl bttGb ktdbbEu w ULllEA
divisions of the District government
To make an exception In the case OF
the schools would, of course, be to dis
credit the District Commissioners in
their action and to limit their very
necessary activity in submitting bal
anced budget to the Budget Bureau
and Congress and to that extent break
down the budget law
The budget law has resulted In vast
economies to the taxpayer. To make
an exception in the case of the schools
of Washington Is to open the gates for
the ultimate breaking down of the law
in the Federal departments. In my
judgment, Congress will not, do that
and the country will not approve that
course. Whether or not that is your
intention, most certainly that is the
effect of the proposal which has been
very vigorously. advanced from certain
quarters in Washington.
THE responsibility of finally passing
upon the expenditures of funds for the
District government rests with Con-
gress, which body relies largely upon
the study of and recommendations OF
the appropriation committees of the
two Houses. That responsibility should
be performed by the two Houses when
these matters are submitted In the reg
ular course to us by the Bureau OF the
Budget, and not before"
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The largest bronze statue in the