Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-03
THE DISTRICT GOVERNMENT.
The Commissioners Annual Report
Submitted to the President.

The Commissioners Annual Report
Submitted to the President.
The annual report of the District Commits
sioners completed yesterday and submitted to
the President, is composed largely Of summa-
rles OF the reports Of subordinate ofacials,
which have already been published in TEE
STAR.
1t opens with the financial statement show
Ing the total receipts for the year including
the balance Of e1,01s, $685. 90 on hand July 1,
1887, to have been S5, ,66S. II, and the bal
ance on hand at the end Of the year subject to
various claims, d 1856 ,09s.16. The amount Of
revenue derived from taxes and other private
sources, in excess of the expenditures charge
able TO those revenues, and available for future
appropriations July 1, 1888, was s747, 69A59.
The Commissioners say that steps are being
law relating to assessments. They suggest that
the laws relating to collections Of taxes be SO
amended as to ensure, If possible, good title
either to individuals or to the District when
purchasing ct a tax sale.
They urge an amendment to the laws requir-
ing frequent reports by the recorder of deeds
to the assessor Of transfers of property to over
come the difficulty now felt at the tax Office Of
ascertaining with accuracy the real owner Of
property. The Commissioners suggest that
amendments of,the laws regulating the iicens-
ing of the traffic in liquors in the District as
would place that traffic entirely within the con-
troll Of the Commissioners.
They urge the need Of reducing the number
OF licensed places and advocate such amend
ments to the laws as win make the existence Of
these places in such number impossible.
FIRE AND POLICE.
After giving a synopsis Of the report of the
chief engineer Of the fire department, pub
lished in The STAR, the Commissioners say
they have included in their estimates for 1890
an item for the purchase of a chemical engine
They urge that the allowances now made from
the firemen's relief fund be provided for by
appropriation.
Commissioners say: There is still an inn
perative need for a further increase of the
force The department, they say, is still seri-
ously hampered by the law restricting ap-
pointments on the force to those who have
served in the army or navy of the United
States and received an honorable discharge
therefrom.
OTHER DEPARTMENT..
Referring to the health officers views on the
subject Of cemeteries, holding that incarceration
is the best method Of finally disposing of human
remains. the Commissioners say: "Whatever
may be the conclusion on this subject there
can be no doubt of the pernicious influence to
the public health of burying grounds close to
populous localities. and that the extent to
which the urban portions of the District are
exposed on this account must soon be matter
for governmental action" They ask that the
inspector of plumbing be given authority to
inspect buildings heretofore well as those
hereafter constructed in the District.
They ask also that the Commissioners be
given power to make regulations governing
harbOr traffic and urge again the need for q
codifcation Of District laws.
In submitting synopses Of the reports of the
charitable institutions OF the District they again
should be to supervise all disbursements Of
public funds for eleemosynary and correctional
purposes.
THE WATER SUPPLY.
The part Of the report devoted to the opera
tions Of the engineer department is given
largely to the subject Of water supply.
1t is recommended that Congress place the
control of the water supply in federal estab-
lishments under some one officer of the United
States with a view to preventing waste. They
ask also greater power to deal with the subject
OF water waste in private establishments. and
that the Commissioners be given authority to
lay water-mains where needed and assess the
abutting property. The existing system of
mains is in need OF some changes, and a be-
ginning could, with advantage, be made in lay
ing large mains to facilitate an equitable dis
bat the charges against the water fund for in
terest and sinking fund are SO great as to for
bid any expenditures in these directions for
the present.
Legislation is suggested to place the ex-
pense OF maintaining public hydrants upon the
fund. They urge the passage Of the bill pre-
pared by them to abolish the domestic water
rates, and providing for paying the expenses
OF the water department from the general fund.-
THE SEWERS.
In relation to sewers it is recommended that
existing laws be changed so as to allow work Of
this class to be done by contract or otherwise,
as the Commissioners may decide to be the
most economical and advantageous to the Dis
trict 1t ID suggested that number of wooden
bridges in the District be replaced by iron
structures.
STEAM AND STREET RAILROADS.
The Commissioners renew the recommends
ton that the street railway companies be re-
CURED to abandon the use of cobble stones for
paving and provide proper rails and proper
pavement between them.
The question Of steam railroads il still I'M
settled" the Commissioners say. 1.-The Com
missioners desire to call attention to the unset
tied condition of affairs in this connection.
Recommendations have been made by them
touching upon this subject, and they desire to
invite attention to their report of November
Is, 1887, addressed to the United States Senate.
1t is respectfully urged that some effectual
means Of adjustment of this vexed question
may be had at any early day."
The project of diverting the course of Rock
creek through tunnel is referred to and again
urged as important. The Commissioners will
submit special report on the subject OF UNDER
ground wires, They urge that provision be
made for District electrician to aid the Com
mssiOners in preparing and enforcing regula-
tons governing electrical systems.
. Tho Heath RacOrA