Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-07

So ia. as the House committee on ap-
propriations Is concerned the Distric. Of
Columbia appropriation bill for the fiscal
year 1856 is complete. and although 1t
cannot be sale that any considerable pro-
portion OF the Immediately vital items es-
timated for have been endangered by the
COMMITTEES il may nevertheless be insi sted
that the measure is far from satisfac tory
to those who have at heart the real in
terests of the national capital The growth
of this city is continuous and healthful
but that fact seems to be unappreciate1 by
legislators who. at this time. have very
much-perhaps too much-to do with local
destiny.
During the past year old necessities have
grown naturally and new ones have OF
course been added to the list. yet the
amount of the bill that will soon be re-
ported to the House is more than two hun
dred and twenty-five thousand dollars less
than the amount finally appropriated for
the current fiscal year. Many reasonable
estimates have been unreaSonably cut.
The sum of S52J.D0O is not extravaganza
when applied to work on streets and ave-
nues that was the amount of tine Com
missioners' estimates. but the subcom nit
tee has seen tit to recommend 100000.
.
less than the appropriation that is now be-
ing expended.
on the important item of sewers there
has been Wholesale Strengthening of hg Tres
in spite of the many thoroughly-so und
arguments in favor OF extension. Especially
strong was the plea for suburban sew ers.
In the interests OF which the Commission
ers asked for SI49.3DW; to this moderate
request the committee replies with q
recommendation OF x34.WO. although this
city's suburbs are rapidly being occupied
by residents of the most desirable sort; by
people VINO have every right to their share
of such essential improvements as sew erS.
Then there has been sweeping reduction in
the matter of country roads: another Flow
at large percentage of the Districts pop
ulation. The cleaning OF the city's stree
VIE not be as thorough as the Commission
ers had planned to have 1t. for the estimate
as to that has been much reduced
Other estimates lhat have suffered seri-
ously are those to street lighting. Pc ice,
fire department. the extension of the fire
alarm telegraph system and the enla 'ge-
ment of public school facilities. As to
these latter. public sentiment will demand
much more of an appropriation than the
subcommittee has seen fit to give; the Dis
trict Commissioners cut the school tI'us-
tees estimates for new buildings and sites
down to 100000, but decided that that
sum was absolutely necessary; the subcom-
mittee awards s12O,OOO.
The health department is not to be given
what it needs. nor Is there to be as much
expended in charities as was appropriated
for the current year, although there is
growing necessity for more of vigilance in
behalf of the public health and more of
hberalty in charitable expenditures. The
estimate for new harbor boat-conctded
to be a necessity-is wholly eliminated
Any considerable amendment in the
House itself is not to be looked for, but
the probabilities and the precedents are
favorable to increase by the Senate to at
least the sum appropriated to keep things
going until the first day of July next.