Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-11-29
Equivalent to more than per cent per annum in


Time accommodations Of greatly Improved char
acter have been provided, and an increase OF 1850
10 the number OF pupils during the same period has
enjoyed the advantage OF free tuition.
since the date of the Commissioners last refer
ence three new school buildings. the Twining Of
zen rooms. the Brent and Morse OF eight rooms
each, have been occupied The increased number
1900
ceeoS OF the sale OF the Holmead cemetery, st20 Co.,
less the cost OF removal OF bodies are being ap-
pIed TO providing for them Three new buildings
Win tWenty-eight school, rooms viii be ready for
cational year.
=, The board of school trustees asked for a more
IioeTA appropriation this year than the Commits
soners iet warranted in approving, but they renew
their recent recommendation that The amount estl-
mated Ior oe supplemented by the sale OF various
GUY pieces OF real property, no longer useful
Tor District purposes.
The board Of school trustees urgently and justif-
aply presents the need of a new building for
girls nigh school, to be attached to the present
structure, which is used IN common by pupils OF
ether sex The Commissioners venture tosay that
no Dtttel opportunity could possibly offer for Con-
greSS 10 De as just in degree TO the District OF
columbia as 1t has been to the states OF the Union
III ald OF their systems Of public education than
would be the assumption OF the entire cost OF a
girls nigh school, and such provision would be
partial acqu1ttal Of the right of the people OF the
district TO be equally considered with the citizens
OF the states in endOwments from the national
treasury for educational purposes.
THE CANAL BRIDGES
The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal company still
neglects to comply with its obligation to maintain
bridges over the canal In Georgetown, and COM
plants on that account are urgent. The Commits
s0nerS renew the recommendations made in their
last annual report, and also recall those relating
TO actions for negligence and to civil suits in case
or death.
TEE RETAINED FUND BONDS
The report Of Attorney Riddle gives q synopsis
OF the District litigation for the year. The cases
OF the United States ex rel. Courtney ct al. men,
toned in the report relate to the ten per cent re-
tain fund from contractors for public works.
The contracts provided for the payment of de-
nnlte sum OF money. The law requires 10 per
cent OF that amount to be retained for five years,
10 be invested in bonds, the interest to be paid to
the contractor during that period If he complies
with the conditions OF the contract. These bonds
are SUBJECT TO fluctuations and there is, according
10 their appreciation or depreciation, profit or
loss Both the court and the controller hold that
the District sustain the loss and is entitled to
the profit II any. Upon the last sale of such
ponds ponds there was profit q s9,s46.76, which the
commissioners asked the Treasurer of the United
states 10 deposit TO the credit or the District, hch
ne declined to do, but deposited the whole sum to
the credit OF the United States Upon the under
Ior one-half OF any losses upon similar invest
mtns, 1t is proper it should enjoy one half of this
gam also that the other half should be deposited
10 the credit OF the District as miscellaneous re-
ce1pts- They therefore ask that this equity be
cognized by Congress by suitable legislation.
THE STRONG CASE
feIeffed 10 In this report is based largely upon the
supposed valuation Of Illegal oral contracts with
the Board Of Public Works by the act OF Congress
creating Board Of Audit. approved June 90 1874.
section g. While ii is expected that the last award
Will be set aside the case has already cost the Dis
trlcr mucn In trouble and expense, and Illustrates
under what disadvantage the District defends
Claims IA courts where the claimant is necessarily
the principal witness, and naturally inclined to
magnify the wrongs he has suffered and to claim
sympathy, and shows the great necessity for
extreme caution In validating claims and sending
parties into court in exceptional cases. II the
claim be lawful, further legislation IS not needed
When not sanctioned by existing law, to give a
claim legal standing in court OFTEN proves a
greater injustice than to have ignored the supposed
equity altogether.
AREvISIoN OF THE STATUTES NEEDED.
That the law should be simple and easily to be
ascertained is extremely desirable This has been
attained in most OF the states, as wei as for the
United states at large, by means OF code or an
occasional revision or the laws. The Commits
sloners think It advisable to make no radical
changes cut earnestly recommend that Congress
authorize revision or compilation Of the present
laws 70 be prepared with such alterations and
amendments TO be submitted will simplify forms
supply Well-recognized omissions and make nearly
as practicable complete body OF municipal laws
Tor the District To accomplish this work speedily
ana Wen would require until completed the un-
divided attention OF some person acquainted with
the present laws (perhaps two persons, one espec-
Tally FAMILIAR With criminal Jurisprudence author-
zed to confer freely with ali the district JUDGES
attorneys and officials, and TO prepare bill indi-
eating what portions OF 1t are now the law and
what are proposed as amendments The CornE1ie-
siOLers think that with an expenditure OF s. Opn
uch work could be fairly done and made ready to
submit to Congress at the beginning of its next
session, and that such money and labor could not
De more adVantageously expended"
THE ENGINEER DEPARTMENT.
For fun information concerning the operations of
This department, reference is made to the reports
OF the various officers Of the department. synopses
Of which have been printed In THE STAR.
"Of the above reports" the Commissioners say,
"that OF Capt. F. V. Greene, relating 60 streets
roads and sewers, Is OF the greatest interest and
value, and particular attention is invited TO it, 1t
VIII be seen that the replacement OF the old wooden
paveInentS (Which during the past eight wears has
absorbed over nine-tenths OF all the money expend-
ed on. street improvements is nearly CONNECTED
ana that the small amount remaining, covering IL
niles, VIII be replaced early In the coming year 1t
IS then proposed TO make the work or replacing the
rough hubble. pavements the leading feature or
street improvements, but at the same time 1t win
be possible to largely Increase the annual exnendi
ture for extending the area Of improved streets by
laying new payements. 1t Is also deemed essential
that the annual appropriations for county roads
and suburban streets should be Increased, and an
appropriation OF $40 is recommended for the next
year. which 1t is horad Will not be cut down"
The tabular statement which formed part OF
capt. Greenes report, as printed in The STAR Is
given, showing that or the Street improvements es-
umated for Tor the next fiscal year, amounting 10
1929 O65, 212 per cent viii be made IN the southeast
1873 per cent III the northeast, 10 per cent In the
Az per cent in the northwest section
IL.
Attention Is invited" the report continues
" TO Captain Greene's suggestion as 20 the
necessity for legislation Under which when
ever the health officer declares any alley
TO be nuisance the Commissioners may
order it to be properly improved, and whenever the
commissioners find a sidewalk worn out they NAV
order 1t 10 be relaid with new brick, the material
In cach case being furnished by the District and
The cost OF labor not exceeding onehaif the OF
the material, to be charged against the adjoining
property and collected as other taxes. This sug-
geSI1On was submitted in last report and it is now
urged That action be taken In the matter, and
TO place the alleys OF the city In proper sanitary
condition, ana keep the sidewalks In suitable re-
pair. Without such legislation they can do
neither" The report concludes by recommending
the following legislation:
"Street Hghting.-That the present law which
limits the number OF hours during which each street
lamp snail be Ighted TO 1900 hours per annum be
amended so as TO increase these hours to 3,OO0
steam rallroadS--1hat action be gwen TO settle
the question OF steam railroad routes In the CITY,
Electric wires--That action be taken looking to
the removal OF overhead wires within reasonable
period
River front-That action be taken looking 70
the proper construction, occupation aud control of
WharveS on the river front, and that their occu-
patton and use shall become source OF revenue to
District. To this end the appointment OF COM
port On The whole subject to Congress at an early
date
District building.-That provision be made for
the erection OF suitable freproof building for the
District Offices:
This Is imperatively demanded for the safe
preservation OF the important records OF the Dis
trlc, ana Tor the convenience OF the public, less
than Tor the health and safety OF Its occupants
he building In which most OF the offices are situ-
ated Is unsafe, unhealthy, too small, and in every
way insecure and unSuited to Its purpose its con-
tlnued occupation Is discreditabie TO the District
Special aSSeSSmentS.--That such stringent lects-
latiOn he made will IA onT loo of