Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-07-15
IF THE DISCUSSION

| Now Buildings Erected.
| 7F THE DIsCUssIo,
which has sprung u
<ty Aover the suggestion O
NV K,, bond issue to rails
NSANLfU the money to carry Of
~lWV rapidly the compre
@ :; !; :: !: !: :
sMJ0H QSAdn "A hensivs system of i'm
-WllII Mp WDI ~ no other outcome
% e.: :; :. pubic S.:. :: :. ss; q
oouot IL mas been rather surprising revelation
to some when they learned that In portions O
the city there are no pavements, sewers, gas
water and sidewalks. The fact that in the sec
tions outside Of the old municipal limits. which
have become rather closely built up. no pro
vision has been made for a sewer systeu
and that the only outlet for th,
sewerage of a large section of the north
west Is the ifeless channel Of Rock creek. will
doubtless come in the shape Of an unwelcom,
revelation. There are perhaps many VIII,
have not followed even the important Distrio
legislation closely enough to know that Will,
Congress at the last session authorized the tx
tension OF the streets of the city beyond thu
suburbs, yet at the same time made no appro-
priatlon Tor carrying into effect this law.
MORE MONEY NEEDED.
Generally speaking the existing improve
ments in and out Of the city are Of suoh char
acter as to cause this city to take rank ~ ths
most beautiful city in the world, and therefor,
IT Is not surprising that it is not commonly
known how much remains to be done to make
the city not only complete, but to provide room
for the population which is coming here each
year In increasing numbers. There is no gus
tlon OF the pressing necessity for the expenii-
ture here each year Of larger sum of mony
tnan 1t seems possible to induce Congress to
appropriate. Improvements of the streets aid
sewer system for the suburbs, carried out NV
In spirit OF wise economy, would beyou
question effect great saving and also ad
measurably to the revenues of the city
Public work of this sort would be for tb
general good, and while in some cases the eS
tension and Improvement Of a street or eva
streets will enhance the value Of individus
property such fact is not of first Importance
1t seems to be conceded that the work ought
be done and as rapidly possible. and that /
will result in the general good Of the commu
my. iue MAN question 10 10 get q PROPOSE
ton looking to this end in such a shape tina
Congress will take action. It should be def
nitely known exactly how much money can b
probably spent in one year in such improve
ments, and with an intelligent estimate Of tn
revenues Of the District for the coming yea
and the probable expenditures 1t will be poss
bic to learn how much in cash will be needed
rather how much can be expended in the cour,
OF the year.
SHARE AND SHARE ALIKE.
1t is possible that it may not be necessaiyto
have loan Of such proportions as has Zen
suggested, and then again the question an
Justly be considered whether the propert,of
the government will not be benefited by t.se
improvements equally with that Of citizens, nd
therefore the national treasury ought to var
its share Of the burden. It is evident. hover,
that Congress has an exaggerated idea Of he
wealth of the District and the poverty Of he
general government. Tho unmistakable n
dency of the past few years has been inhe
direction of reducing the share Of the gown
ment in the expenses Of the District and ofn- |
creasing the class Of charges which comsx-
clusively from the revenues Of the District In |
round numbers the total amount Of Diact |
money that will be expended during the prent |
year in municipal purposes will be Dut |
e., 900 600, while the contribution of the |
general government Is only about %, 5000 |
Last year the District paid more than its are |
| and next year the discrepancy will no double |
still greater. The law, however, has uer |
been repealed which provides that the mi |
cipal expenses shall be borus equally bye |
| government and the citizens.
STREETS THROUGH SQUARES.
The law which gives the Commissioners |
thority on petition Of the owners or in the |
| terest Of peace, good order or public morals i,
require that any alley shall be opened, widene
| or Strengthened or an alley closed in order
accomplish these ends has been in operatio
about year and it Is said that experience ha
proved its wisdom. 1t is now proposed tina
Congress be asked to give the Commissioner
similar authority in regard to opening streets
through squares. 1t is argued that the effect
of such authority would be to make it possibl,
to utilize the interior OF deep squares bj
the erection OF superior class Of housd
than is built in alleys, and that in some cases |
would be found profitable or necessary to clos
up some alleys, and in this way the city wout
be rid Of an undesirable collection of ALL
houses. The erection Of alley houses is ne
practically at an end owing to the restrictid
which has been placed on this style of bull
ings, and this plan is suggested with the viz
OF Fastening the abandonment Of houses
alleys and opening a way for . more profl
able use of the ground.
AN OFFICE BUILDING FOB THE PRksIDHNr.l
- sh0Ao 40 Guy Al PotoAcsoAoy o0H bo4hI
Congress ought to recognize the merit In Il
plea that has been SO frequently made in beha
Of securing a more commodious residence
the President. In his annual report. which
just been printed, Col. Wilson, the commi
sioner Of public buildings and grounds. adj
another to the long line Of recommendation
on this subject. For more than twenty yea
this matter has been agitated In one form 4,
another, and today nothing has been dor ,
! and the President still continues to occupy II
his office and residence the house the plans
which Gen. Washington approved, although Il
public business and the demands upon the tin
of the chief executive OF the nation has increase
| many fold that 1t Is hardly possible to o
press 1t in figures. Col Wilson's plan has ii
merit Of simplicity and economy, as it conten
| plates the erection Of building to be used 1
grounds opposite the State, War and Navy d !,
partment building. The ground is owned I
| the government, and q structure purely I
| Office purposes need not be very large and " i
cost comparatively small sum Of mon, ,
The scheme will, therefore, appeal strongly :
| the economical instincts Of the average md L
| Der of Congress. There is no doubt that | 4
White House ought to be retained as a resident v
but there is an objection to occupying y
White House grounds by the erection OF :
| other building 1t seems, however, that
! proposed plan has several features which :
likely to meet with the approval Of Congress &
NEW DRIVE TO THE SOLDIERS HOME q
A favorite drive to the Soldiers Home is :