Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-12-07

In our estimates for the next fiscal year We
have received the appropriation OF ESQ coo e
| begin the erection Of . building. The whole
| should cost not less than $500, 900 nor more
than $500. 900. Our opinion Is that the proper
place for its erection is between 9th and 18th
streets on the piece Of land belonging to the
District lying Immediately in front of the Cen
| ter Market 1t would then be central, readily
reached by street railway and other lines Of
city transportation, be an ornament to the
principal street Of the city and stand on ground
already acquired by the District
The schedule Of the cost of city halls In
thirty-ive of fifty of the largest cities in the
United States. prepared by the census Office
i and herewith submitted 10 significant as to the
| propriety and per capita cost of such build
| ings The building we recommend, il will be
| seen, is largely below the average per capita
cost of such buildings in other cities The
| schedule shows that
The average cost per capita for city halls
in thirty-three Of fifty Of the largest
cities in the United States, as shown by
| the eleventh census. is.................S2. SU
The average cost per capita in the District
| OF Columbia for such a building costing
900, estimated population 2S0,000,
| would be. ...................... 200
A building costing $500. 600 ............ lao
The design herewith transmitted shows an
| ed1fce of fine appearance to cost within $500,
OOO and large enough to accommodate all the
| branches of the District government now To-
Gated either at headquarters or in rented build
| ings.
STREET. CLEANING.
In regard to street cleaning the Commission
ers say: The street sweeping and cleaning Is
| not being performed as efficiently as the amount
| appropriated therefor will permit The Com
missioners have asked for increased appropria-
| tions on this account for the next fiscal year
and hope for o liberal consideration thereof by
Congress in order that the reputation of the
| District for clean streets may be maintained.
Since our last report portion of this service
has been improved by the introduction OF a
| system Of constant collecting by hand shoveis
during the business hours of the day all bulky
deposits on the carriageway Of Pennsylvania
| avenue. The results OF this system have met
| the unqualified appreciation Of the citizens
| generally, of the officers Of this municipality
and of the people who occupy the buildings
| along the thoroughfare thus cleaned. The cost
| OF cleaning the street on this method is but
slightly greater than that of sweeping by ma
| chimes, while the results are far more satisfac-
tory.
The Commissioners hope to extend this hand
cleaning system to other business streets and
city thoroughfares upon which there is an ex-
ceptionally large amount OF travel
THE GARBAGE SERVICE.
The Commissioners set forth the situation re-
mails as follows:
"
ceiyed written notice from the contractor for
collection and removal of garbage and for the
removal of dead animals from the District of
Columbia that he could no longer attempt to
execute his contract, which, by its terms. WAS
not to expire until the 30th day of June, 1892.
This action of the contractor. occurring at q
period of the year when the accumulations of
garbage were greatest and most dangerous to
the health of the people. was q source of en-
barrassment to the Commissioners. They at
IL
teams and men, to act under the supervision of
a number Of inspectors, who succeeded in re-
moving the accommodations of garbage, which
had become very great, and in attending to the
many complaints which were sent to the health
office.
On the 9th of September. 1891, the Commits
sioners caused advertisements to be published
in newspapers in New York. Philadelphia, Bal
timore and Washington inviting proposals for
said service for the remainder of the fiscal year.
to be opened on the 22d of September. On that
day only one bid was presented which was for
the sum of SS4, 300 This bid being largely in
excess of the appropriation, could not be ac-
copied, and the daily service has been con-
tinued. Necessarily this daily service has been
more expensive than would be like service
under the control of a contractor. although the
health officer and his assistants gave personal
attention to all of its details and used extraordi-
nary efforts to conduct the business with econ
omy.
On the 25th day Of November in response to
other invitations for like proposals, bids we're
opened for daily service and the lowest bid.
ders have been accepted. but in the meantime
the appropriation for the current year has
been practically exhausted and it will be neces-
sary that provision be made for this important
service by an appropriation for the remainder
Of the current fiscal year at the earliest practi-
cable moment
Anticipating the letting of another contrac.
on the LIST day Of July. 1892, for the perma-
nent garbage service, the Commissioners also
invited bids to be opened on the LIST day Of De-
cember for such service, contingent upon an
appropriation to be made by Congress 1t
must be apparent that any contractor who
would perform this work to the satisfaction of
the people of the District must have a suffi-
Gent length Of time prior to the beginning Of
his work to prepare the necessary plant for the
utilization Of the garbage when collected and
deposited. and the Commissioners, therefore,
recommend that Congress take action upon
this matter by authorizing the Commissioners
to make contract at as early date as pos
sible In order that some satisfactory assurances
can be given the contractor several months in
advance OF the expiration of the fiscal year.
THE PROPOSED FLOWER MARKET.
The report refers with approval to the sug-
gestions coming from .'the Florists Club"
looking to the erection OF permanent flower
market, and says: I'VE have thought of the
little square lying between Pennsylvania ave-
nue. and Louisiana avenue and bounded on the
east by 9th street. The proximity of this par
Gel OF ground to the Center Market and two
leading street railways would be very con-
venient The propriety of massing the flower
stands apart from the fish and meat stands is
apparent. While the flowers appeal chiefly to
the sentiments by their beauty they have come
to hold largo part in the home commerce of
many Of our large cities, and in none proper
tionally more than in our own capital city. At
an estimated cost Of about $50, 900 we are of
opinion that net revenue to the District of
not less than 6 per cent could be expected
The building should be owned and controlled
by the District. We recommend the proper
appropriation for the purpose on the site re-
ferred to-"
SUNDAY LAW WANTED.
The Commissioners renew their former
recommendations that law be enacted to
prohibit the pursuit of ordinary secular occu-
pations on Sunday, saying: 1--WE believe such
law to be in the interest Of public morality
health and comfort, and hope that the desired
legislation on the subject win be effected"
They express an earnest hope that Congress
will allow the $4,000 estimated for, to enable
the District to take creditable part in the
worlds Columbian exposition.
THE BATHING BEACH.
As to the bathing beach, from which, owing
to delay in the work, the public derived little
advantage during the past season, the report
says: Enough experience was obtained to
justify the Commissioners in regarding this as
q source Of comfort, enjoyment and useful in
struction to q large element Of our population
.x,I sn0 tha$ - -