National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-12-05
THE COMMISSIONERS, REPORT.
District Matters Discussed and Recon-
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District Matters Discussed and Recon-
mendntluns for Reforms Made.
The commissioners have submitted thoir
eighth annual report to the President
They state that the receipts were ns follows {:
Balance on hand July I, 1884, S5l5, TG4. 1G;
taxes, 81 ,1G5, 1880; from the United States,
S2,O2S, S,0lSs2-total S3,T93, ,16212; on ac-
count Of water department, Sli5, SSH; on
account Of trust fund, Sl3,673. 70; sale Of
Ilolmead Cemetery, $4,000; sale OF fish
wharf, n l,G6O05; repayment TO various APP
propriations, 80 3,G0G.S0-total, $i,52G, ,Oj2, "a.
Expenditures for the same period, $4,000
OS0.54; balance on hand July |, 1885, $685.
gG3.20. Collections of taxes were as fol-
lows The levy upon real estate aggre-
gated Sl,3s3,676.l4; amount collected,
81, ,180 30; arrears OF realty taxes,
Sl0I, ,239sl; the levy upon personal prop
ing the year, 1856, ,I42.45; arrears, S35, 400. 49,
The funded debt was S2l,210,500 The
commissioners recommend the establish
mcnt OF home for the incurables.
Under the head Of charities, IL is recon-
mended that ar officer be appointed to take
charge of that service.
Under the head Of police department,
they recommended the appointment Of ilf-
teen men; the ahOlishment OF an army and
commissioners to enact laws upon matters
involving the public interest The purchase
Of an additional reserve fire engine is asked
for II Is also recommended that the gar
bage contractor be caused to remove ashes
as well as garbage.
The commissioners refuse 10 ASK for the
appropriations asked for by the school
trustees, and the commissioners renew their
recommendations that the amount esti-
mated for be supplemented by the proceeds
of sales Of outlying property no longer use
ful. With this assistance, 1t is believed the
want of the District will be fully met
The need of congressional action In refer
erencc to steam railways is called for. They
suggest that the two railroads Baltimore
and Ohio and Baltimore and Potomac) be
made to enter the city upon the same lines.
There should be n union depot, centrally
located; suitable provisions should be made
for handling freight; provisions should be
made for avoiding street crossing OF the
steam car tracks at grade; the commits
siOners' powers In reference to railroads
should be more defined. The northeast
route Of entrance TO the city should be
abandoned, and the Baltimore and Ohio
should he made to Join the Baltimore and
Potomac at one Of the points heretofore
mentioned. The roads might be allowed
to have union depot In the vicinity OF the
present Potomac depot. The roads could
approach by ycovered tracks, leaving Virginia
avenue at point midway between Sixth
aud Seventh streets. The Sixth street
tracks should be removed aud the street
opened up as a thoroughfare. The commits
sionGrs knowing that the Baltimore and
Potomac road have occupied the mall for
the past twelve years and would not leave
II without opposition, it would be difficult
to select depot site more eligible than the
one spoken of.
They recommend the erection of new
District building. They request Congress
to advance $1,0O0,000 for street improve
ments, and this amount can be returned in
five years, or even three il it be so desired
The reports of the various heads of District
Offices are incorporated in brief in the re-
port, nearly all of which has been published
from time to time