Evening star., 1953-01-11
Weu-Rounded D. c. BUDGET

Congress will find that the District budget
just submitted by the Commissioners is a care
fully prepared, well-rounded estimate of the
more urgent needs of an ever-growing National
Capital. While it is the largest local budget
ever proposed, it falls far short of meeting all
the requirements of a city burdened with
unusual responsibilities as center of national
and international activities Huge public
works improvements are desirable, as the Addi-
son advisory committee emphasized in its
recent report, but the Districts financial
resources are limited. The $143, ,849, 200 budget
for fiscal 1854 necessarily has been pruned to
1T expected revenues.
Against the background of the Addison
committees $363-million program of capital
improvements recommended for Washington,
the Commissioners request for capital outlay
OF $25 million next year is anything but ex-
travagant. The various departments of the
District government had asked for nearly $37
million more than that sum- backing their
requests with quite persuasive arguments as
to the needs They had asked, too, for nearly
$500 900 more than the Commissioners approved
for administrative expenses. But, in the
absence Of a more realistic and more generous
Federal payment toward the building and
maintenance of the Nations Capital, it was
necessary to cut the cloth to fit the fiscal
pattern. The cutting was done in such way
as to leave very small actual surplus for
emergencies-just over 100000. This surplus
is an uncertain thing, depending on the &C
curacy OF estimated revenues. It could 60
higher than that, or lower. Like last years
surplus, it is not cumulative nest egg, to be
used as q sort Of bonus later on. Any surplus
annually becomes a part of the next years
revenue estimate. The Commissioners have
shown good judgment in trying to keep the
anticipated surplus to the smallest total that
1s consistent with minimal safety margins.
Recent surpluSes of up to SIS million are not
only unbusineSslike but subject to misinterpre-
tation in Congress.
Among major items which Jared reasonably
well in the budget were those for schools,
police, highways and public welfare. Although
school officials had asked nearly $40 million for
new schools, about third of that sum was
approved. However, this will provide three
new colored schools and three additions for the
colored divisions measure of relief badly
needed by the overcrowded claSsrooms for Negro
pupils. Approved also was the Board of Educa-
tions full request for lit additional Negro
teachers Help for the undermanned Police
Department was given in the form of 100000
item for additional personnel. A larger ap
propriation for bringing the department to
authorized strength was killed last year by
Congress, with adverse effects on police eff
eiency. Especially gratifying was $1-million
allotment for starting construction of the
long delayed Childrens Center near Laurel,
Maryland.
The estimates, as whole, are based on an
assumption that Congress will recognize the
Federal Governments obligation at least to
the extent of $12 million-$1 million of which
would be earmarked for water service. The
water payment in fiscal 1858, incidentally, was
about q quarter of million dollars less than
the cost of water consumed by the Federal
establishment. Until Congress takes action to
increase the Federal payment to point more
nearly commensurate with the services rem
dered by the District local budget making will
continue to be difficult, painful operation for
all concerned.