Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-02-01
DISTRICT GOVERNMENT.
Ready for Investigation.

The superinterd dent or cnarlles' III al
interview with reporter of The star con-
corning the statements reported as having
been made Thursday at 4 meeting OF 'he
House appropriations commlttee, said'
can only saw that 1 will welcome any OPP
portunity to answer inquiries pertinent 10
District matters under my SUPERVISION, or
within my knowledge, in the field of CHAR
tiles and correction, whenever questions are
put in a specific and Ineligible form. The
District subcommittee appropriations
has been in session during nearly the whole
of this month, and hearings were given re-
garding charities and reformatories, at my
earnest request, to all citizens applying for
them. The statements referred to were not
made to the sui committee, or until after
the District appropriations bill had been
reported to the House Apart from that,
the superintendent of charities is always
ready, as is his duty, to receive any COM
plants regarding institutions or agencies
ramed in the schedule for charities, to
promptly investigate them and TO correct
any evils disclosed. Such is the course con-
templa ted by the law of 1880 establishing
this office, through informant ton furnished
either to the Commissioners of the District
or to myself
Are Disappointed.
The Commissioners are very much dis
appointed over the report of the subcom-
mittee en- appropris lions concerning the
District of Columbia. Major Powell, in
an interview today, said:
81 canrot understand why it was the
committee made such a cut in the sewer
estimates. That is the most important fea-
ture of the bill, yet our estimates were cut
over 90 per cent. Now, 1 know Of nothing
more important at this time than sewers,
and would rather see almost anything else
cut than them. I notice the big interceptor
which would take the sewage from James
Creek canal is omitted, and the amount
for permit work greatly reduced. Under
this latter appropriation, which consider
the most meritorious in the bill, the Com
missoners are enabled to construct many
sewers, at one-half the cost being borne by
the property holder, and lay sidewalks
which are considered necessary
Major Powell said he did not know wheth-
er the Commissioners would make any con-
certed effort or not to have the appro-
priations increased.
Favorable Action.
The Commissioners have recommended
favorable action upon Senate bill 1925, to
incorporate the convention of the Protestant
Episcopal Church of the diocese of Washing
ton. -
Lighting lexington.
The Commissioners have notified Senator
Mcmillan that the amount necessary to light
lexington and West lexington for the resi-
due of the current fiscal year is 1888. This,
they say, is on a basis of 100 incandescent
lights, which are now in operation in these
subdivisions. If these lights are to be con-
tinued, the Commissioners say, an amend
ment should be added to the urgent def
cheney bill, now pending in the Senate APP
propriating the amount necessary to light
these subdivisions. "a
Adverse Action.
Adverse action was recommended by the
Commissioners today upon Senate bill 1452,
to authorize the Falls Church and Potomac
Railway Company of Virginia to extend
its line into the District of Columbia.
Pumping Engine.
The Commissioners have, upon the recon-
mendation of Capt. Burr, in charge of the
water department, awarded the contract
for furnishing the District with an 100000
gallon pumping engine to the Barr Pump
$4,000. 40