Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-05-10
by the sale of per cent District bonds, in

by the sale of per cent District bonds, in
stead of by a direct appropriation.
The Commissioners do not suppose that
Congress. even in prosperous times, would
be willing to appropriate, at one time, 30
large sum as the amount asked for in the
substitute bill, or that in the present con-
dition of the United States treasury such an
appropriation would be thought of. 1t would
seem, therefore, that whether the work be
authorized now or hereafter an issue Of
bonds must be the means provided for rails
ing tie money required. The condition of
the money market Is favorable for a sale Of
bonds, and the current prices for labor and
materials make 1t certain that the work
can never be done with greater economy or
benefit to the public and to the faboring
classes than at the present time. The i'm
portance and urgency of street extensions
under the hIghwayeact Is conceded on all
sides. and every years delay will enhance
the cost.
A considerable number Of streets In
Washington and Georgetown are yet un-
graded, and the time has come when the
work Of grading them cannot be longer
delayed without serious Inconvenience and
injustice. For grading these streets and
improving the more important ones in the
suburbs. including those to be laid out
under the highway act. the Commissioners
have asked for authority to spend s.. OO0.0O
The importance of this work can hardly
be Overestimated. and would give employ
ment to all the idle men now in the Dis
trict. The completion of the work for sew
age disposal and the trunk line Of sewers
in accordance with the plan recommended
by the board of sanitary engineers In
1890 and adopted by Congress. which is
fully provided for in the substitute bill,
ought not to be delayed minute longer
than necessary: delay increases the cost.
imperilS the health of the entire communi-
ty and offers nothing by way of compensa-
ton. The building of the large sewers re-
Quired can be done with greater economy
and advantage to the public whole
ntQcQmaal ne r he
comes available for use until the system
is completed.
All the conditions, therefore. seem to COM
bine to justify the Commissioners in earn
estly recommending the passage Of the
substitute bill.
Very respectfully,
JOHN w. ROSS,
President, Board of Commrs D. c.
Text of the Substitute.
The substitute bill prepared by the Com
mssioners is entitled "A bill to provide
for continuing the system of trunk sewers
in the District of Columbia. to provide for
sewage disposal. to lay out highways and
for other purposes" 1t authorizes the Com
mssioners Ito proceed as soon as may be
practicable, with the work of continuing
the system of trunk sewers in the District
OF Columbia and also to proceed with the
work OF completing a system OF sewage
disposal and protection against floods, in
accordance with the plans recommended
by the board Of sanitary engineers in their
report to Congress upon the sewerage of
the District of Columbia in 1890 lex. Doc.
No. AS. Fffty-first Congress- first session.;
Provided. That sthe cost of the extension
of the system of trunk sewers herein pro-
vided for shall not exceed $l.O0Oy00O. and
that the cost of continuing and complet-
ing the system of sewage disposal and pro-
lection against floods herein provided for
shall not exceed the sum of $4,000
Sec. . That said Commissioners be and
they are hereby authorized in carrying out
the provisions of this act, entitled AN act
to lay out system of highways in that
part of the District of Columbia lying out
side of cities,'' approved March 2. 1898. to
expend without further authority from
Congress. not to exceed the sum of one
million one hundred and fifty thousand dol
lars. And said Commissioners are also
hereby authorized to expend In improving
any of the streets or avenues. and in grad
ing reservations. heretofore or hereafter
laid out and opened under said act, or any
of the existing streets. roads or avenues in
the District OF Columbia, including neces-
sary bridges and culverts the additional
sum of two million dollars. Provided, That
in making such Improvements said Com
missioners shall employ many persons
as may be necessary to do the work speed
lily and properly. at wages current at the
time in said District. And provided further,
That it shall be the duty of said Commits
sioners, so far as they may deem IL COM
patible with the public interest," in making
improvements authorized by this section,
to give preference to those streets and ave-
nues where the largest part of the right of
way is dedicated. after having first graded
all the ungraded streets in the cities of
Washington and Georgetown.
Sec. 3. That In order to provide the money
necessary TO defray the cost and expense
OF executing the works authorized by this
act. the treasurer of the United States, as
ex -ofiicio sinking fund commissioner of the
District Of Columbia, be. and he Is hereby,
authorized, and II shall be his duty, to cause
bonds OF the District of Columbia to be pre-
pared to the amount of seven million Ave
hundred thousand dollars. bearing date July
l. lS.4. payable fifty years after date, bear
ing interest at the rate of per centum per
annum. payable semi-arIually. to be signed
by him as ex-offtcio commissioner of the
sinking fund. and. be coun .signed by the
auditor of said District, and sealed as the
Board Of Commissioners may direct which
bonds shall be exempted from taxation by
federal, state or municipal authority, and
shall be engraved and printed at the ex-
pense of the District of Columbia and in
form not inconsistent herewith. And the
faith of the United States is hereby pledged
that the United States will by proper pro-
portional appropriations. as contemplated in
the act OF June IL. 1878. to provide a govern
ment for the District of Columbia. pay the
interest on said bonds, as the same may
become due and payable. and create a sink
ing fund for the payment of the principal
thereof at maturity. One-half the amount
which shall be expended under the author
ity OF this section to be charged against the
revenues of the District of Columbie. The
principal and interest upon said bonds shall
be made payable at the treasury of the
United States. Said bonds shall be num-
bered consecutively and REGISTERED in the
office of the register Of the United States
treasury, for which registration the Sec-e-
tary OF the Treasury shall make such pro.
vision as may be necessary.
Sec. 4. That whenever any money shall be
required to meet the obligations incurred
under this act the Commissioners Of the
District Of Columbia shall notify the Secre-
tary OF the Treasury OF the amount re-
quired. and in order to provide for the same
the treasurer of the United States shall be-
and he Is hereby. authorized and directed
from time to time to sell and dispose Of any
Of the bonds prepared under this act, at not
less than their par value, to the most IA
vorable bidder or bidders, after having ad-
vertised the same for ten consecutive days
in two daily newspapers in Washington city
and two in the city of New York. the bids
to be opened under such regulations as may
be prescribed by the Secretary of the Treas
ury. and the award to be subject to his ap-
prevail and the proceeds OF all such sales
shall be covered into the treasury of the
United States subject to the reQusition Of
the Commissioners Of the District of Co.
.lumbia, to be applied by them solely in pay
ment of expenses incurred under the pro-
vision of this act, and to be accounted for
as Is required in the settlement of other
expenditures of the District" -..
Then follow provisions as to the manner
of advertising for proposals, making con-
tracts, &c. <sJ a