Evening star., 1931-12-09
The District Budget.

The District of Columbia estimates
for 1888, sent to Congress today, repre-
sent an excellent job of trimming grow
ting needs to match a slim purse. The
Commissioners have kept their requests
30 q figure that is 81 500, 900 below cur
rent appropriations, thereby accom-
plishing the modern marvel of q re-
duoed budget. They have included many
items representing important and es-
sential improvements, provided for the
normal maintenance of the municipal
establishment and have confined the
total to an amount that can be raised
without increasing the local tax burden.
This is in line with the sentiment Of
the community, which is opposed to an
increase In the local tax burden I'M
less coupled with an increase, long
since past due, In the Federal contribu-
tion toward meeting fair share of the
expenses Of the Federal City.
Two of the many items in the 1888
estimates are OF particular interest to
washingtonisns. These concern the
schools and the Municipal Center.
The schools, generally speaking, are
well provided for. But there has been
. drastic cut of s1,624,o00 under cur
rent appropriations for buildings and
grounds This means a reduction of
nearly $4,000, 900 under the amount re-
quested by the Board of Education.
Only Sos, 900 has been included for the
purchase Of one site for q new school,
although the Board of Education asked
for $685. Does this mean that
after several years Of notable progress
In school building construction the city
bring repetition of the evils of over
erowding, just now beginning to be
cured2 Does the elimination of such
. large fund requested for new school
sites mean that the Board of Educa-
tion and the school authorities, instead
of looking ahead and planning in sd-
vance for school growth, will be forced
TO demonstrate the need for expansion
by pointing to wretched and acute
conditions of overcrowdisg as they
come into existence? Is no new school
building justified until the old one is
disgracefully UNIT?
Because Of the anomalous method
OF preparing a budget for 4 city in
accordance with the system for pre-
pairing the national budget. the tax
payers Of Washington are deprived of
the knowledge of where the cuts for
school buildings and grounds have been
made. What has been eliminated re-
mains dark mystery. The taxpayers
will have no way of knowing what
items were cut out except by studying
those that remain. Judgment on the
wisdom Of the cuts for school build
ings and grounds must be reserved,
therefore, until DR.. BAllou's annual
analysis of the school budget that will
be made for the enlightenment of the
citizens some time this month.
The cut in school estimates for build
inss and grounds can be viewed. how
ever, IN re1ation TO the appropriation
Of 81 SOC, 900 requested for continuing
development Of the Municipal Center.
IN their estimates for the Budget Bu-
reau the Commissioners asked for the
Municipal Center the sum Of $4,000 900
this money to represent part Of the
Federal share toward this project due
on account of the loss to the District
Of It's present Municipal Building. The
Budget Bureau eliminated the item be-
cause of the lack Of legislation commit
tang the Federal Government to such
payment. The 1880, 900 remaining
will come out Of the general fund of
the District.
There has been appropriated for the
Municipal Center up TO this time total
Of s7,4oo. 900, and the present estimates
will swell this total to 1000 900. This
money represents less than half OF the
contemplated total cost OF . project
upon which the District Is embarking
without any guarantee Of any OF the
extra and special assistance from the
Federal Government that its nature de-
rnsnds. h IT not time for some definite
guarantee Of aid from the Federal Gov
eminent? Can this city. straining TO
keep Its ordinary requirements to the
level OF inadequate revenue availability,
AFFORD to plunge deeper into this almost
wholly national undertaking without
receiving that guarantee Of definite and
equitable aid from the Federal Govern
ment committing us to It? This session
Of Congress should not psss without that
guarantee