Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-02
compensation approximate the amounts
paid for like services in other cities.
Public Schools.


paid for like services in other cities.
Public Schools.
The annual report of the superintendent
shows chat the public schools are in
satisfactory condition. Their growth is
&C mmensurate with or greater than that of
the population of the city, while their eff
fciency increases correspondence. The
Commissioners ask for a continuation Of
the generous action of Congress in full
appreciat ton of the needs of the schools for
the sake of the city itself and in consider
alton of the desirableness of maintaining in
the capital city a system of education that
shall be model of efficiency and related
economy. The record before shows that
in round numbers 5000 pupils attended the
schools, about 5000 of whom were enrolled
in the night schools. OF these 1900 per-
sens more than 5000 were enrolled in the
High Schools, including those in the night
High Schools.
The Commissioners are pleased: first.
with the value of the schools themselves,
and second, with the estimate that the citi-
zens of the District place on education and
with the apparent qualification they mani
fest in the results secured by these schools,
demanding as they do SO large a portion
Of the revenue of the District for their
maintenance. But the Commissioners de-
sire to call your attention. and that of
Congress. to the economy with which the
affairs of the schools of the District are
administered. Although text books and
other articles necessary for use in gaining
an education are furnished to all pupils be-
low the High Schools. and although the
schools provide diverse courses of instruc-
ton. including sequential lines Of physical.
manual and business training, suited to the
wishes Of varied opinions on the parts of
parents and guardians. the annual per capt.
ia cost of instruction Is below that of most
of the large cities of the United States
maintaining efficient and satisfactory sys-
TENS of education.
Civil Service In the District.
Inasmuch as the affairs Of the District of
Columbia should be conducted upon the
principles and in the manner applicable to
other large business interests, and especial
ly In view of the fact that its government
Is non-partisan in character. reasons which
enforce the civil service system for the
federal government apply in higher de-
gree to this municipality.
During the past fiscal year the Commits
sioners began a system of competitive ex-
aminations for clerical professional and
police duties, the results of which have
been Of such satisfactory character that
they have been confirmed in their belief
in the efficiency of that system.
But having no funds at their command
for the expenses attendant upon the many
kinds of examinations which are required.
the Commissioners believe that the District
should be fully included within the pur-
view Of the general law, and they purpose
to urge the necessary legislation therefor
at the approaching session Of Congress.
Street Cleaning.
The operations of the department of
sprinkling. sweeping and cleaning streets,
avenues. alleys and suburban streets are
stated in detail in the accompanying re-
port of the superintendent of that serv-
ice.
During the fiscal year 1895 the area
npN
yards, ali increase OF over 100000 square
yards over the area cleaned in the fiscal
year 1894. The contract price is "A IA
cents per 1000 square yards.
Owing to the limited amount of the ap-
preparation for the past year, about
1,WO,0O0 square yards could be cleaned only
once a week, all of which should have
been cleaned more frequently. The Com
missioners have therefore estimated for
an additional appropriation for this serv-
ice of about twenty thousand dollars for
the year 1897; and for ten thousand dol
lars for the removal of snow and ice. I'M
der the provisions of the act approved
March =, 1885.
The existing contract for the street
cleaning by sweeping machines will ex-
pire June 30, 1897.
The Superintendent of Charities.
The Commissioners transmit herewith the
interesting and comprehensive report of the
superintendent Of charities for the year.
The fullness and interest of this report
make 1t a valuable contribution to the Off
cial exhibits and discussions of the import
ant subject of which it treats.
Metropolitan Police.
There has been gratifying increase in
the appearance and efficiency of the force
during the past year. and, as stated by the
major and superintendent, eft is common
report that the District police force pre-
sents neater uniform inspection than any
other in the country
The following new paragraphs were added
to the manual, which, together with the
adoption of strict civil service rules in ap-
pointmcnts and promotions. have assisted
materially in reaching the present high
standard:
THE lieutenant of each precinct will keep
daily record of the efficiency of each
sergeant and private In his precinct, based
upon daily reports from the sergeants and
his own observations, and once a week ne
Will make consolidated report of this rec
ord to the major and superintendent. This
record will show each sergeant or private
to be efficient, highly efficient or ineffi-
c1ent, as the case may be-
Promotions to the second class will only
De made from those who have been IA ted
as highly efficient for at least one wear
The major and superintendent will make
consolidated monthly report of the Elf
clelcy OF the force to the Commissioners,
and will recommend for removal such mem
bers of the force as have been found contin-
uously inefficient
In making up the record for efficiency,
carelessness in dress, demeanor and an
pearance while on duty and neglect to OBJ
serve the requirements of the manua, will
be taken into consideration.
Drinking intoxicants in bar rooms or 9TH
er public places while on or off duty will
be sufficient cause for removal from the
force"
There has been a marked decrease in the
offenses of intoXication and ''hoodling'
Cue partly to the amendments to the man
ual and largely to increased vigilance on
the part of the superintendent and his Of
hcers Next to the health department
this department comes nearer to the peo-
pie than any other, and is second to none
in its Importance. Protection to life and
property are its chief duties. but 1t has
many other important duties all of which
are performed with credit to the force and
satisfaction to the public. The intelligent
and exhaustive report of the major and
superintendent gives a clear account of
the operations of his department, accom-
panied by important recommended lions
which have the earnest approval of the
Commissioners
The Commissioners again call attention