Evening star., 1935-09-09
CITY HEADS BEGIN
BUDGET DRAFT ON
$53,6(6,251 BASIS
Commissioners Call Depart
ment Heads for Confer.
enCe on Needs.
FIGURE is S12,859,636
OVER CURRENT SUM
$6, 100000 Is Asked for Schools
and $2,934,O0 for Public
Welfare.

Actual forming Of the Districts 1887
budget was started by the Commis-
sioners today at the first Of series OF
conferences with department heads.
As a basis the Commissioners will
use recommendations of the various
municipal departments, which would
take $50, 3,606,251 to carry out, or sl2,-
859,636 over the appropriation for the
current fiscal year.
The figures submitted by the de-
partment heads, of course, are to be
trimmed but the exact amount will
depend on the prospective financial
condition Of the District in the next
fiscal year Maj. Daniel ]. Donovan
auditor and budget officer. is now at
work, endeavoring to determine how
large a budget the District can sup
port without increasing the tax rate
Donovan is bringing up to date his
estimate of revenue that will be avail
able this year to finance the current
S40.000000 budget which Congress
authorized and trying to calculate the
income in the next fiscal year.
Guide for Commissioners.
The conclusions Donovan reaches
will guide the Commissioners in flxnS
the size of the tentative 1887 budget
which the law requires shall be sub
mitted to the Budget Bureau not late.
than September IS.
If the Commissioners adhere to for
mer policies, cut will be made in til
estimates of virtually all department,
in order TO bring the total budget dow;
to a figure that the District cal
finance on its estimated income from.
all sources.
Increases over current appropria
tions have been sought by nearly a.!
departments throughout the DistriC
service, the largest, however. being tn
public schools and the Board Of Publ
Welfare. The schools asked for So
5000 more than granted in the ap-
preparation act for the present year
The welfare budget is S2,s34,03U
greater.
Other Increases Urged.
The other increases recommended
were all under 81 900 900. Some of the
/ largest in this group are: Sewer De-
partment, S607,00O: Police Depart
ment. s407, $50; Health Department,
| s147,115: Fire Department, S27,637,
and National Capital Parks, s229.S20.
When the Commissioners finally
shape the tentative budget. the Budget
Bureau. if it follows tradition, prob
ably will make some further cuts, but
a determined fight is to be made al
the Capitol this Winter TO prevent the
House Subcommittee on Appropria-
tions. which will frame the 1887 sup
ply bill. from undertaking the
Budget Bureau.
Chairman Norton of the House Dis
trict Subcommittee has served notice
that she intends to take an active
part in a move to get the District .
new deal" before the Appropriation
Committee.
Although at the head Of the Dis
| tr:ct's Legislative Committee in tho
House, Mrs. Norton and ner commit
tee, in the past, have had no connec-
ton with the appropriation bill. She
believes her committee should have
some representation on the Appro-
priations Subcommittee, which is nov
! dominated by Representatives Cannon,
Democrat, of Missouri, and Blanton
Democrat, of Texas.
Will Seek Representation.
Mrs. Norton has revealed that he
first efforts will be directed at havin
either herself or some outstandin
member of her committee delegated
to sit on the Appropriations Subcom-
mittee in an advisory capacity and
defend items that the Legislative
Committee knows are necessary. Fail
ing in that move, she proposes to
appear before the subcommittee dui
ing its hearings and make plea foI
needed funds.
Long an advocate Of increased ap-
preparations for schools, hospitals and
recreational centers. Mrs. Norton
thinks she will be in a better position
to argue for more funds than the
District officials who are called before
the subcommittee, because they are
prevented by law from asking for an
amount in excess of that approved by
the Budget Bureau.