Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-12-01

the policy pursued by Congress for several years
poses is earnestly recommended The rented
,ooms are, almost without exception, badly ventl
lateu ana lighted and tnconveniently arranged;
~ H. ny Oh IaeQ have been condemned by the health
onieer. The alterations and repairs necessary in
on,s ciass % rooms are expensive, and the rents
were to DE used for other purposes. steady ad-
herence Tor fewyears to the policy recommended
VIII Tree the District nom the necessity OF making
unsse exorotant expenditures The location OF
new buildings should be selected with view to
a,oandoEing, as soon as practicable, the practice
VI TenClng school roOnlS.o
THE APPokTIoNHRNT OF SCHOOL FUNDS
inc report says:"A claim has recently been
made thai the appropriations for school purposes
schools OF the District OF Columbia in proportion
10 tne respective numbers of white and colored
cnlidren OF school age in those cities The Com
miSSionerS are not informed whether the claim
applies to the duty or Congress to make appropria-
tons under that rule or to the duty of the Com
rule and not as ordered by Congress since the act
OF June II, 1875 organizing one board for the
ana ana management OF all the schools and enacting
the policy OF specific appropriations for District
purposes, on detailed estimates, the practice of
the Commissioners has been to obey the appro-
no. so o to has
Oeen designated. but terms o: general character
oess do has eo in
TO the actual needs OF the schools and not accord
ing 10 the color of the pupils. They know OF no
lection to 1T; and it is much more simple of ad-
mlnlstrat1on than apportlonment by fractional
years the appropriations for county Schools have
been applied without reference to color and no
resulting wrong or inconvenience has been COM
The report gives as usual, synopses of the an
nual report OF the major OF police and other heads
attention to the recommendations made "The
nre department." the Commissioners say, "con-
To mert m well for
are recommended by the board OF fire commits
s siosers 7, IN the rapidly growing sections OF the
harDor master be provided for.
The UNION DEPOT PROJECT.
Referring to the statement OF the facts in con-
nectlon with the status OF the steam railways In
the District, made in Lieut. Greene's report which
has been published In THR STAR, the Commission
ers give it as their opinion that the interests the
carrying out the project OF establishing a union
depot on line between South Capitol street and
at Sr shs as Of IN 5
report says:-"f this plan cannot be brought to
meet the approval OF Congress 1t is most earnestly
exacted for the present condition OF affairs is al
most intolerable.
tain It's tracks and depot on 9Th street. it is sug
gested that the Baltimore and Ohio be brought to
that locality also, and that 1t be provided with
site for equal depot facilities the east side OF
Ghat street, opposite the present Baltimore and
potomac depot II the roads are to be allowed to
nsVe aheg n0ud 9e
every street crossing 1t is Of vital importance to
the interest OF the District and to the railroads
Well, that this question be settled without further
delay, and that the permanent status Of the roads
be fixed. Then they can be required to provide
suitable freight depOts and car-yards by purchase
OF the necessary grounds from private parties, and
tnereby admit OF keeping the public streets free
to the greatest extent consistent with the exist
ence of railroad. thereby avoiding one Of the
most frequent causes OF complaint on the part of
citlzens living along the lines OF road"
UNDERGROUND TELEGRAPH WIRES.
Calling attention again to the Importance of
forcing on the various telegraph and telephone
companies the system OF underground wires, The
report says: 1.-THE only arguments for the further
change will be a matter OF some expense, more
or less considerable, to the telegraph companies
on the other hand the change is demanded as a
question OF public comfort and safety, and as q
most potent factor in perfecting the beauties OF
this city, towards the accomplishment Of which its
lingly made, and will continue to make. expendi-
lures which In almost any other city might be
deemed extravagant There can be little doubt
through their representatives, that every EFFORT
should be made towards beautifying and perfect
ing the capital city OF the nation"
Referring to the work Of the parking commits
sion the report says: interference Of trees with
telegraph wires has caused excessive prunngs,
injury to this element OF beauty and comfort
which has been obtained at large outlay of
money and fostered with most careful attention.
The telegraph lines necessary, but their main
tenance above GROUND Is not, and the general
interest," beauty and comfort OF this city should no
longer be sacrificed simply that the telegraph
companies may be saved the comparatively small
expenditure that Will be required to make the
change"
The report recommends the permanent employ
ment OF a competent architect as a part OF the
force In the Office OF the inspector OF buildings
anu states that 1t Is proposed to present for the
consideration OF Congress bill for the reorgani-
cation OF the surveyors Office in which the sur
veyOr will become regular salared officer OF the
District.
The report gives summary OF the chief points
In Lieut. Hoxie's report on the water supply and
sewers, approving the conclusions and recommen-
dations Of that report
THE LATE COMMISSIONER TwINING.
In closing the document the Commissioners re-
Ter to the death OF the late Commissioner Twining
and says "The people OF the community will al
ways hold his memory in the greatest esteem for
the important public improvements which are due
to his genius and energy Of character. Among
these cOnspicuouSly stand his services in develop
ing the plans for additional water supply, and the
Improvement OF the river front. By his decease
the commissioners lost genial, able and honora-
pie colleague, and the public wise and impartial
administrative officer OF the strictest integrity"