Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-01-29
BADLY Adjusted Appropriations.

In the District appropriation bill reported by
Mr.. Cobb from the House appropriation CON-
mIttse the estimates OF the District Commits
sioDeFs have been pretty badly slaUg entered.
The appropriations asked for and needed for
street work and repairs, TIE county roads, the
police and fire departments, &C, have been cut
down to make room for large appropriations
for special interests and for Institutions that
the people OF the District should not be taxed
10 support. Thus the estimates for relaying
old wooden pavemencs, &c, has been reduced
SI70e00: those for repairs OF concrete pave
ments. s25. 600; for current repairs OF avenues,
streets and alleys. 81. 900; current repairs OF
county roads, SIS 600 tor from 90 O0O TO 81 O. 000,
and so on. The parking commission
asked for $40 600, which was cut down to
sI5. 600. though they have 100 000 trees ready to
set out. and money Is needed for the care OF the
large NUMBER OF thrifty young trees already
planted. At the same time that these sweep
Ing reductions are made In the appropriations
for work 30 largely affecting the public COM
fort. health and convenience, the bill takes the
large sum OF S2l0, $50 from the general revenues
OF the District for the erection OF school build
iDgs.-bot for general school purposes, but for
school buildings alone. And this large amount
Is appropriated almost entirely for three
buildings, whereas Ii should suffice for the
Size, and placed at points most convenient for
the use OF the greatest number Of pu.
pills. But much as school buildings
are needed, this is altogether too
large sum 10 be drawn from the District reve-
nues La single year for buildings alone, eSpe-
claIly as the burden or general school expenses
"a exceptionally large In Washington. Further,
the Commissioners ere required to place one OF
these buildings on the site OF the present o
street market, whereby the city will lose about
$500 revenue. For some reason, not apparent
upon the face, 1t is provided that the plans and
specifications for these school buildings shall be
furnished by the architect of the Capitol.
although the District has competent architects
In Its employ for that very service
Again, the bill for the first time loads upon
Washington the support Of the u. S. Jail here to
the tune OF $40, 500. Is any other city In the
country required to support the U. 5. jail
located IN it? Then, again. the bill requires the
District TO shoulder the substantial item of
s4S coo for the support OF the Government Insane
Asylum. though a large proportion of the
patients are soldiers ana sailors. the wards of
The government, or crazy people who come to
Washington from all parts OF the country, and
who are perhaps encouraged TO do so bY those
ar their homes who want TO get rid OF them.
1t is possible that some OF these changes OF
estimates have been made upon the supp ositlon
that they were recommended by Secretary
Sherman. but IL Will be seen BY
reference TO his revision OF the Com
missioners estimates he says distinctly
that '-shOuld Congress decide that the expenses
OF maintaining the District Jail are not a
proper charge against the District or that the
Increase recommended for the Government
Hospital for the Insane and for the reform
school Is not advisable. tie amount to be ap-
piled TO the Improvement OF streets would
remain substantially the same as recommended
by the Commissioners, and would meet the ap-
prevail OF this department. 1t Is to De hoped
that Congress viii so decide. As to the two
hundred thousand dollar appropriation for the
erection of three school houses It is not among
the estimates Of the Commissioners or OF the
Secretary OF the Urea zury.