Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-12-07


taxes between two and three million dollars.
This amount il not promptly returned to
local circulation by trea.urer's deposit
in Local banking institutions. as taxes
IN most communities are. but ii is
locked up in the United States treasury. There
it remains Until Congress IN appro priation bills
authorizes its expenditure and u Is checked
or, in small amounts. But Congress seldom
provides for the application to specific objects
In the manner provided BY law of all Of this tax
fUrd- An annual unexPended surplus is left
IN the treasury like the talent hidden in the
earth. knowing no increase as an alternative
% Enlassing this surplus is the project Of using
incorporated balances to pay of the Dis
trict's alleged debt on account of the
worthless tunnel. From this technical
Indebtedness the United States should
in equity relieve the water takers who are COM
PEELED to pay for an increased water supply
which they do not enjoy and for a
tunnel for which they did not con-
tract. But IL any water takers are to
pay for it except the government, which
j. directly responsible for the loss. then the
payment should he extended over a long term
Of wears. az it is by the sinking fund pro-
vision. Some day water takers may get
water through this tunnel. They ought to
pay at least n portion of the cost Of
the tunnel There il not particle of justice
in eXtorting the money from the water takers
OF today. There should not be any surplus to
be devoted to this purpose. The sinking fund
provision Is sufficient. All of the Districts
rent revenues can and should wisely DO ap-
Piled TO meet the current needs OF the
expanding and developing city. Washington
protests against haste in porfecting the tunnel
robbery Of water taking citizens. Ii protests
against the leaving Of a large I'M
expended tax surplus in the treasury.
1t protests against buryiag its tax money
in the treasury in the first instance. The
abrupt withdraw, Of several millions OF dol
lars from general circulation in April and
November causes periodical financial strin-
gency in the District some legislation
sho1ld be devised which will remedy this evil
and leave in local circulation. a in other COM
munIties. the tax money OF citizens.
e -
One of the best and most practical sugres-
tons ever made as to necessary supervision OF
local charities came to the surface yesterday
when there was submitted 70 the District Com
missioners the draft Of bill which provides for
the creation Of an advisory and controlling
body 20 be known as the Beard Of Charities for
The District Of Columbia. If the idea formu-
Lted in the tentative measure receives congress
sonal and presidential sanction the Office of su-
yeTintenden. OF charities will be abolished and
the one Official who now has much TO DO with
controlling local charities would. as a directing
force. be superseded by the tve resi-
dents OF the District constituting the
hoard. A. members of the board are to
serve without con- sa,ioa il would Of course
b, Necessary that some one attend 10 the many
de'a.ls this Is tie secretary's work and fo- il a
reasonable salary il 10 be paid The a3yan-
tage q this plan must be Instantly manifest TO
Eny one interested ia the many charitable in
stiiUtions which seem 10 be and doubtless are
Necessary 10 the proper and humane govern
mon; Il the city. miaCr. but by no means
UninI o=taEt. feature OF the proposition (Which
originates IN lis entirety with The sape-i1terti-
ent of chari;icsl IS the rereal % the Ets-rGiv
outrsS eors IrOyiso vhi-h places he Manage
meat - purely local charities in he haaIs q &
nonresident Viewed from any slA-i-c:--
The new bIll ! an Improvement on present ~
conditions il should be speedily izt-ct-ced
nationally considered and rayi1lv passed TIE
able and energetic superintendent OF CHARITIES
discovers tEat 10 complete liz vo-G q sys-
tcu-a-i-iug and maintaining upon a satisfactory
basis the District charities his own Official de-
capI.ltIcE Is advisable. and be urges logically.
,i-orcIs.y aul with unique disinte-es.edness
thai Congress PCT an end to him.