Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-11-26
The Report Of the District Commits.

The annunl report presented by the District
Commissioners to-day to the President will he
carefully read. both from its intrinsic import
anCe. and from the fact that it il the first one
made by the Board selected under the act OF
Congress providing permanent form of gov
cTnment Tor the District of Columbia
The condition Of the streets and sewers of the
City presents, they say. the most serious queS-
tiOn they have had TO consider. embracing out
lays OF an imperative character. which the pre-
sent revenue OF the District is Inadequate 10
meet. otherwise than by extending the work
through several years of time, Whte health,
convenience, progress, and the maintenance OF
property values. are Dependent upon its being
promptly done. Uader ordinary CirJuTSt ances
the treasury of the District on IT," present
basis of taxation. would be able 80 meet all rta-
50 able demands 10 Improvements, bIt
the extent Of rotten wood paFcmnnt9 and
the EVIL of overflow from the sewers have
grown To proportions beyond The scope
OF current revenues. Tn" c-tjnttG- sub
mltted TO the Secretary OF the Treasury
required by Congress. place the estimated
expenditures within the estimated receipts Tor
the fiscal year ending June 81. $50 bur for the
year ending June 80, 1,s). the estimated expcn-
ditures exceed the estimated receipts By
81. 3S9, SS6Sl These estimates are submitted
only IN the expectation that some way might
he devised by Congress, through a temporary
advance OF otherwise, to enable The District to
remove the rotten payementS and o construct
a system of auxiliary sewers. The work in
cilIded in these estimates would place the pre-
sent paved streets and sewers in a thoroughly
good and substantial condition. rendering The
scale OF expenditures thereafter much less than
that embraced in the estimates for these two
wears. and would place the finances Of the Dis
0f revenue Sje0,O0O per year could be set apart.
If necessary. to repay the advance suggested as
a way out OF this difficulty. In thi, connection
the commissioners make a fOrcibe showing
based upon he Treasury exhibits. Of 1hP heavy
balance in favor OF the people Uf this District
IN the matter OF expenditure within the Dis
triCt slice the foundation OF the capitol city,
relatively by them and The general goF eraInent.
The absolutely Paid-HP erpeaj.f'fe by the rcO-
pie Ui The District Is $3.50 .19!4 against
S2'-@l;91e.66 expended b. the Timed States.
The Commissioners very properly urge that If
an equal division of the expenditures for the
local government between the United states
and the DistTit is Just one. as IS now adj
mltted. tEeh The United State, i, in equity
debtor TO the District, and the latter has a
claim Tor an advance OF money % put the cities
or the District In proper order. and for such
legislation Is VIII tend TO ameloratc the bur
den OF Tie public debt pressing upon them.
The Commissioners set forth Ia detail tie plan
of relief they propose. which coAtenpIltes a
loan by the United States 10 the District OF
HIty-year four per cent. bonds. to be used in re-
funding all the outstanding Indebtedness. This
plan, tltey hold. lessons the yearly requirement
on account Of the debt. while securing its eX-
iinguishment within a fixed period and in no
way adds 10 the responsibility OF the United
states.
The commissioners make Il satisfactory
report OF their stewardship in the important
matter OF our pavements; and their views and
suggestions in this regard will no dOnbt be
generally accepted as sound and iudiciOus.
Their recommendations in regard 10 the sinking
fund. assessments, collection of taxes, public
schools, sewerage the harbOr, water supply.
railroad stations, &c. will also. iD the main be
Endorsed by the public. Our readers wiz find
The report elsewhere in full.