Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-12-03
Annual Report of the District Com
miSsioners.
AN ACCOUNT OF THEIR STEWARDSHIP
The Contagious Disease Hospital
Site Discussed.
OTHER MATTERS MENTIONED


to the President this morning. The report
in full is as follows:
The President: Pursuant to the require
ments of the organic law of the District of
Columbia, the Commissioners of said Dis
trict have the honor 10 report their Official
doings during the fiscal ycar ended June
80 1894 the details of which are set forth
in the accompanying exhibit of the officials
in charge of the several departments of the
District government:
Receipts and Expenditures.
The receipts and expenditures during the
fiscal year were substantially as follows:
AT absolutely accurate StaLenicnt cannot
new bc made for the reason that in few
cases of unfinished cont;acts further cX-
peu liturcs out of the revenues for HAT
period will have to be made, but the obli-
cations on this account are comparatively
insignificant.
The total appropriations payable out of
the general revenues of the District OF Co.
lumbia for said period, were $5t12,9lS.OS
The funds available sor he payment of
those appropriations and obligations
amounted TO $6,03S, 1885: S,,l2J.216.05 of
this amount was derived from general
taxes on private property, fees for licenses
and other privileges, and receipts from all
sources ether than the United States and
tho water department, including a balance
on July l, lS93 OF SIS, In7.l3. The remain
ing s2,6l2,Si9.7s represents the proportion
ate amount due from the Unite1 States to
pay its legal share of the appropriations
aforesaid The balance of sG25,20715 was
applicable to the payment of the Districts
share Of future appropriations.
The expenses of the water department.
which are wholly payable out of the rev.
enues derived from water rents and taxes.
amounted to S364, 4,7l1.97. The revenues of
the water department, including a balance
at the beginning of the fiscal year of S2lI.-
3Oi2S were S5II,4S1.
Debt of the District.
The bonded and other interest-bearing
debts of the District of Columbia are un-
der the charge of the treasurer of the
United States. The Commissioners only
duty in relation to them is to include in
their annual estimates for the support CT
the District government an estimate for
the interest and sinking fund on these
debts, and for the salaries and contingent
expenses needful in transact ting the sink
ing fund business.
The bonded debt on June go 1894, was
SIS, 1913, ,G201S.
The non-bonded interest bearing debt
On June 80, 1884, the District owed the
United States S6Si, PASS, on account of ad-
vances for the construc ton of the water
supply tunnel and appurtenances, and
500, AZ. IL on account OF advances for the
4S-inch water main and the 14th street
water main and connections. The first is
payable II sixteen, and the latter in twen-
ty-two equal annual installments, with in
l..NIlx,
of the revenues of the water department.
The floating debt-The floating debt of the
District is very small and consists mainly
of judgments of the courts rendered after
the passage of the annual appropriation
law. The Commissioners endeavor to en-
force strict observance of the requirement
Of law that no expenditure shall be made
nor obligation incurred unless previously
authorized by congressional appropria-
tions. and thus limit the floating indebted
ness to unavoidable liabilities.
Rate of Tax.
The rate of general tax for the year was
fixed at S1.JO on each 500 for all taxable
personal property, and for all real prop
erty, except that used solely for agricultu-
raj purposes, the rate of which was 81 per
SlOO of assessed valuation.
Arrcaruscs OF General Taxes.
The decisionof the Supreme Court of the
District Of Columbia that the purchase of
property at tax sales relieves said prop
erty OF the lien of all unpaid prior taxes
upon it is still a bar to the collection of
large amo INT of arrearages OF taxes, and
an encouragement to taxpayers to be dila-
tory in the payment of their taxes, in the
hope that they may ultimately evade their
payment under the aforesaid ruling. The
Commissioners have sought to cover the
defects of existing law on the subject by
the preparation and submission to the first
session of the Fifty-third Congress of II.
II. bill 3233, entitled "A bill in relation to
taxes and tax sales in the District Of Co
lumbia," and now earnestly reiterate their
recommendation for its early enactment.
The collectors books carry large
amount OF personal tax charges against
persons who. have discontinued the busi-
ness in which they were when assessed,
and deceased persons, and amounts other
wise uncollectable, which should be elimi-
mated. AS neither the Commissioners nor
the collector of taxes have authority to
cancel these charges, authority to do so is
recommended.
Municipal Markets.
The municipal markets continue TO con-
tribute to the convenience and advantage
of the public as source of supply for
market products, and in the aggregate
yield a material net revenue to the Dis
trict. The Georgetown market has been
reconstructed out of the appropriation for
additional repairs to said market. The
changes thus made will furnish that sec
tlon of the city with excellent market
facilities. The Commissioners have in
cluded in their estimates for 1896 an item
of s4.25O for special repairs to market
houses, out of which they hope to be able
to place the other two markets in like
condition.
bathing Beach.
The bathing beach has increased in use
fulness and popularity to such an extent
that the Commissioners felt justified In
recommending a further appropriation of
81, 600 for its maintenance during The fiscal
year 1896
Contagious Hospital.
In the appropriation bill for the last
fiscal year the Commissioners were author
ized to purchase a site for a contagious
hospital They were advised by those
deeply interested In the matter and who
were largely instrumental in securing the
appropriation therefor, as well as by prom
inent members of the Medical Society of
0,nptipna5 on Eloyaptb