The Evening critic., 1884-11-29
THE COMMISSIONERS, REPORT.

THE COMMISSIONERS REPORT.
InIerestIng RecOmm sudatiODs ON
VnrIous LocRI Subjecis--A Good
SHOWING IN Every Respect Ques-
tons Of Finance and Public WORKS
IuteilIgentIy Discussed.
The District Commissioners submitted their
seventh annual report to tue President to'day.
The report is ono OF tho most important that
was ever made by the Commissioners, and
contains comprehensive review OF the citys
neede, tho clty's finances and tho WORK in
course Of completion and In contemplation.
Several important recommendations have
been made, and every issue affecting the Dis
trict has received attention.
The large amount OF delinquent taxes is
again brought 10 the attention OF Congress,
and the Commissioners take occasion to renew
their recommendation that the necessary
legislation be supplied TO render the collec-
tion Of them practicable at a definite period.
Funded ana other uebi.
The reports OF the Commlssio 'ers OF tho
Sinking Fund OF tho District sh vs that on
July ], 1884, the total funded nnd other deDt
This years quota OF liquidation OF the prlu-
embracing principal and interest, VIII asgre-
gate 81, S1,363,60o.21.
street Railroads.
In treating this question the report says
that the Commissioners nave had thoir Rtten.
tion invited by the public to the laws govern
ing tho manner OF running csre by those com.
panioe. Their charters provide that they shall
place nrst.clase cars on said railways, with all
the modern improvements, for the convenience
and comfort OF passengers, and shall run cars
thereon during the day as often as every hye
minutes, except as TO Seventh and Fourteenth
streets, and on these once In fifteen minutes
each way, and until ~ o'clock at night as
often rs every half hour and throughout day
ana night as much oftener rs public con.
venience may require.
be given power TO say whether these condi
tlons are complied with, and to have power to
enforce them.
Washington Asylum.
Charging tho workhouse prisoner with tho
pauper or eick person-s11612 per capitd
while 1t is really lese,)-the annual expendi-
ture for I'D prisoners is S20,2Oi.SS. The
$40, ,Sd5. SO.
IN relation to making prisoners work for
their board they say; "rhe Commissioners
nnement In the District beyond the maximum
workhouse limit shall, In the discretion or the
court, comprise labor as we'll as imprlson.
ment, and that the persons 80 sentenced shall
be placed under their control and be COM
pelled to labor IN the same manner as is re.
quired OF those sentenced to the workhouse.''
Charities.
Tho Commissioners recommend the ap-
pointment OF an inspector OF charities. They
say. "That the demand for charitable aid
from the public treasury constantly increases.
Tho total appropriations for that purpose, and
1876, are 1886, ,2l2, OF which the sum OF $780,
d36 is for the Government Hospital for Insane,
Si0,S10 for the Washington Asylum Qnclud-
ing the hospital and workhousel, and s1s,'
600 for distribution by tho Commissioners di-
rectly. About s11d,000 nre appropriated 10
institutions managed by private boards OF
trustees"
The Commissioners have observed q grow.
ing improvement In tho discipline and ef
nciency OF the police force, and that both
officers and men are Jealous in the perform
Additional legislation In several particulars
10 greatly needed
The Liquor License law is defective. Hack
men, newsboye, bootblacks and vendors en-
gage in struggles OF competition on the princi.
pal thoroughfares to tho frequent and uu-
necessary annoyance OF pedestrians.
Streets and alleys should be we'll lighted;
the sale Of Intoxicating liquors put under
strict regulation, and required ID pay larger
proportion OF the revenue.
Complaints are made that the present law
does not suflciently protect graves from desc
Grafton.
Fire Department.
The officers and men OF this department are
animated by desire to make Il as nearly
i've duties In that spirit.
Provision should be made to furnish the new
engine.house now being erected on street,
and for ten additional men TO constitute new
company. The engine and hoso.carriage
therefor are already provided.
The growing importance OF the villages OF
Mt. Pleasant and Anacosiia demands attention
IN respect TO fires, and the Commissioners rec.
ommend that two or three hydrants DO located
n the former village, properly connected with
he stand pipe, and that In the latter village q
arge clstern bo constructed, 10 be nllet from
he river.
new enGine-house In tho eastern portion OF
the city will also soon be needed.
Health Office.
The report calls attention TO the Joint reso-
luton OF Congress approved April "a, 1880,
which omitted, in legalizing the health ordi.
provided punishment for those who after due
notice, failed TO drain etagnant water upon
their premises In the populous quarters or
failed TO provide proper drainage for their
Public Schools.
The Commissioners are gratined to observe
that diligent and appreclative care of the
highly important interests connded to the
Board OF Trustees characterizes the adminis'
tration OF their trust.
Tho commission appointed by the House oi
Representatives February 20, 1882, to ex-
anime Into tho character, condition, and NJ.
ness OF all buildings owned and rented re-
ported that for the next three or four years al
least the sum Of 100000 per annum should
DO eApenueu III tno CONSTRUCTION OF new Dullu
ings.
This recommendation has been acted upor
by Congress, and since that report some S100,
900 have been appropriated and applied L
the purchase OF sites and the construction o.
properly adapted school buildings.
The economy OF this Is shown In the fact thai
the amount saved IN rent is moro than pei
cent. OF the amount expended. During III,
last year, three new school buildings hav'
been erected-the Twlning, Brent and Morse
The Board OF School Trustees urgently ant
justinably presents the need OF new build
Ing for a girls high school, to be attached t
the present structure which is used In com
mon by pupils OF either sex.
A Revision of tho Statutes.
That the law should be simple and easily tC
bo ascertained Is extremely desirable.
Tho Commissioners think 1t advisable T.
make no radical changes, but earnestly rec
ommend that Congress authorize revision
pared with such alterations and amendment
TO be submitted as will simplify forms, sup
ply well,recognized omissions, and max
nearly as practicable a complets body OF mu
nicipal laws for the District.
Engineer Department.
Attention is Invited 10 Captain Greene
suggestion as to the necessity for leglslatlo
| under which, whenever the Health Onlcer dc
clares any alley TO be nuisance, the Con
missioners may order II 10 be properly in
proved.
II is also recommended that Congress will
logislate in the following respects, as Ind
| Gated, viz.;
Street lighting That tho present law whic
| limits tho number OF hours during which eac
lamp shall be lighted TO 2,200 hours per al
Il - NN 49, 4 A.