Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-11-29
Our District Affairs.

The annual report of the District Commission
ers. printed elsewhere VIII be found OF interest
and Importance The finances Of the District
seem to be in a sound condition. The receipts
into the treasury for the year ending S0th June
1879, were s3.467, 665.52. leaving July l. 1879, a
balance on hand Qncluding trust and water
funds OF 1921, 61S.47. By the refunding opera
ton saving OF 1923 In annual interest has
been effected. Since July 1, 1878, there has been
total reduction OF s41s, 326.67 In the principal
OF the District bonded debt, and total reduc-
ton Of s3O,154 in the annual interest thereon.
The Commissioners recommend that action be
taken in the matter OF the unfunded debt of the
District on the basis of payment in 3-65 bonds.
The need of more effective laws to enforce the
payment OF general taxes Is urged Despite the
opportunity for payment under the relief act,
there were still in arrears on list November, 1872
81 .2O2 ,095.47. The amount of arrearageS, 1t Is
stated, increases yearly, and seriously embar-
raises the management Of District affairs, and
the continuance OF this state OF things not only
encourages the growth Of the evil, but Is unjust
to citizens who pay their taxes promptly.
Among the various recommendations the
Commissioners call the attention of Congress to
the imperative need for civil and municipal
code of law for the District Of Columbia
Upon the water question the Commissioners
recite their action In regard to water rents, and
recognize as valid the objection made by water
takers to pay for water they do not get. The
commissioners say they are without means to
remove this cause Of complaint, for which they
are in no ways responsible, but as the question
of water supply Is now before the Senate COM
Inittee on the District they refrain for the pres
eat from further discussion of the subject. The
commissioners point out with force the manner
a which the beauty Of the parks and the pros
Icrity of large sections of Washington are in
jured by the occupancy of depot sites in the
interior of the city by the two railroad compa-
MES Proper recognition is given to the credit
able and economical management of school af-
fairs by the school board, and recommendations
are made for additional school accommodations
greatly needed. The suggestions In regard to
the Washington asylum, the Industrial Home
school, the proposed 1nebrtate asylum, the Fire
department, Police department, &C., seem to be
well considered and deserving of attention.
Very properly the Commissioners devote con-
siderable space to the consideration of the uues-
ton OF the improvement Of the river front
While such strides have been made in improy-
ing and Identifying the city, the offensive river
nats have been allowed to remain plague-spot
and an eye-sore, standing discredit to the ma
donal capital. The great difficulty in dealing
with the problem has been in the way Of decid-
Ing between the conflicting plans. The discus
sion has lasted about long enough and 1t is
time to do something now. The plan proposed
py the commissioners seems to meet most of
the objections made to previous projects, and 1t
ought to afford the basis for definite action.
We commend the report of the Commissioners
10 our readers as deserving careful perusal.