The morning times., 1896-05-09
DISTRICT APPROPRIATIONS.

The District bill has come forth from
the Senate Committee on Appropriations
much improved. The ruthless cutting down
by the House of the Commissioners esti-
mates has been very much modified and the
increases are j1dlcious and timely. In round
figures, the Senate Committee has added
$I.525 900 TO the House bill, which sum,
however, is yet nearly three quarters of
million dollars less than the estimates. 1t
mag be that the discrepancy will be still
further lessened by amendments In the
Senate; If not, we shall be grateful for
what the committee has done.
AS result of the changes made in the
bill the city will be better lighted, the
water supply augmented by the resumption
OF work on the Lydecker tunnel and the
Howard University reservoir; the efficiency
OF the fire department increased by the
addition Of various engines, engine houses,
an aerial truck and fire boat; provision
made for the collection and incineration of
street refuse, and several other improve
pointed out by The Times as occasion
arose. OF great importance is the addition
to the public schools schedule under which
head several new buildings, mostly in
suburban sections, have been authorized,
as also the reconstruction of the rickety
old Anthony Bowen building Considerable
addition is made to the item for street
improvements, theincrease being $1S4 600.
Especially gratifying, however, is the in
crease OF the police force. Seyenty-fiye
men are added. This, OF course, is not
nearly as much as is necessary i'll order to
bring the strength of the force up to the
standard of the other large cities, but it
is something; at least concession 10 the
needs and necessities of the District 1t
is partial ackno wledgment OF the Justice
OF the contentious Of the Commissioners,
the chief Of police, and the local press, and
leaves room for the hope that after while
the force may be raised to the highest point
OF efficiency SO far as numbers are con-
cerned. Extension OF the patrol box sys-
TEN is also provided for, and last, but by
no means least, an appropriation is made
of Sc 600 for the policemen's and 81 600
for the firemen's relief funds.
The chief contention in conference will
be over the item of charities, if the Senate
agrees to the recommendations of the COM
| mittee. The appropriation in bulk of S94,
700, inserted by the House, is stricken out
and instead provision is made for a num-
| Der of institutions which are specifically
| designated, as has been the custom hereto
fore, proviSo being added, however, that
no part OF the appropriations shall be paid
for the purpose of maintaining or aiding
| by payment for services or expenses, or
! otherwise, any church or religious organ
ization." A clause is added constituting
a committee TO consist of three Senators
and three Representatives, which is To in
vestigatc the charities and reformatory in
stitutions OF the District as respects their
relations to the government OF the District
and the United States, and report 10 the
next Congress, recommending 9 such changes
| as may seem desirable in dealing with these
! institutions. Altogether the bill, in its
present shape, may be said to be fairly
satisfactory.