The Evening critic., 1884-11-24
TIE CITY'S NEEDS,
A Review of Our Financial Capa-
bilitieS and Requirements.
WHAT CONGRESS SHOULD DO.
A Conservative Policy Advocated-A
Prospect of Increased Revenue and
Growing Prosperity.

There has never been period Of greater
Importance aud more absorbing interest to
a student of the Affairs and prospects of this
city than the present moment. Upon tho
eve of n change of administration, at the
opening of an eventful winter, on tho
threshold Of n new session of Congress, and
~ time when tho question of suffrage, of
the relations between the city and the ma
tion aud our own local matters of personal
tax, assessment, tolegraphs aud railroads
are so prominently before popular attention
and the subject of public discussion.
The contentious now existing between
factions; the difference Of opinion as to the
desirable method of government the oppo.
sition to many features OF tho present sys.
ten, and the pressing needs Of the city,
render tho present winter an important sea-
son in tho city's history--ono in which
much good or much harm can be accom-
plisL cd.
To ascertain as nearly rs possible the
views of tho best informed and most pro-
found students of the subject Is n work in
which THE CRITIC reporters have been on
gagged. Perhaps most important In its bear
ing on the subject is tie position to be
taken and the policy TO be pursued by the
District Commissioners. our recognized
representatives before Congress.
The Commissioners regard the present
time as a Crisis In the city's history in
when extravagance, error or mismannge-
ment would bring about financial disaster,
and in which q iudicious and conservative
policy VIII insure prosperity aud advance
ment.
The estimates which they have recently
aot MI NJ aH a raf nr "a nnrinh ondinn
1856 By that period, under proper man
acement, they believe the District revenue
VIII have increased by S2oO'C0O over its
present annual aggregate, and with this
increase VIII come the means OF providing
Tor those improvements which, while APP
parently very necessary now, cannot be
accomplished under the existing state of
affairs.
For the present they advocate that con-
servatism and economy which will provide
only for the vital necessities. For an ex-
ample they say the removal of rotten
wooden pavement was an absolute require
ment of travel and was wisely accom-
plished; an increase OF the water supply
was necessity SO obvious That provision
for 1t was imperative; better sewerage
system was demanded for the health aud
welfare OF the people and Is about to be Sc
cured. Now there are other great necessi-
ties, and these must DO met, but as import
ant as any Of them is the increase of rove
nue. and the reduction Of debt.
The extension of tho city's streets and
avenues Of asphalt and Belgian block into
the suburbs aud clustering villages is de-
sirable and necessary for the future, but
impossible for the present, and this argu
ment will apply to many other matters of
great Importance.
The debt of this city is an oppressive one.
The benefits obtained by the expenditures
are abundant, but the fact remains that
while New York city has debt Of but
S75 per capita, the debt of the District Of
Columbia is $l36.
Taking this attitude and this view of
the situation the Commissioners are en-
pbatic in their belief that the welfare of
the city depends upon a continuation OF
the present relations between tho local and
general governments ana tho encourage
ment OF gradual increase OF iioerality
and appreciation oil the mutual advant'
ages derived from system even more
generous than the existing one and insur-
ing scat of government constantly in
creasing in prosperity and developing as
social, political, literary and art centre
resort for tho wealthy, cultivated and
pleasure-seeking OF the country anu the
world; capital city contrasting favor
ably with the great capitals OF Europe.
Inc general principles thus expressed
will find their practical observation in
every detail OF the Commissioners policy.
For instance, they have very seriously
considered asking Tor SlOOoOO to build a
new city building for The local departments
and ofhces, but nave abandoned the PROJECT
as not an lmmediate necessity. They nave
determined upon securing better streets In
the business centres ana repairs III the most
populous sections, whiie they prepare TO
extend the scheme OF street improvements
when increasing revenues justify Increased
expenditures. They strongly indorse the
free'bridge project, but VIII oppose plan
to make the District revenues OF Tho imme-
date future responsible for such an eSpen.
diturc. They will endeavor to extend and
improve the system of police and fire pro-
lection but in these, also, will follow au
economical policy. The estimates sub
mitted to the Secretary of the Treasury
will 90 to Congress just as revised by the
First Comptroller. Congress VIII In all
probability restore them TO the shape IN
when the commissioners prepared them
and lney VIII then represent exactly what
tho District Commissioners regard as posi-
bic and Desirable TO be accomplished during
the year Outside OF them the Commits
sioners VIII favor no appropriation o.
which any portion Is payable from tho Dis
trict revenues of tho next or succeeding