Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-16
,mmi,tee suggests frequent meetings of

TO that strength winch the DOaru muet
have, so the committee strongly recon-
mends that collection Of the initiation fee
he suspended at least until December 81.
1898. Should this recommendation become
effective 1t viii. it is believed. encourage
the return of many members who. because
of circumstances Ieyond their control, be-
lieyed themselves compelled to relinQuish
their membership.
AS to the future. the committee is hone
full; it believes that by rational effort the
board may, III the year Immediately before
Us. n.ake great strides in the direction OF
numbers and power.
Parks and Reservations.
The committee states that an appropria-
ticn for the Improvement Of Rock Creek
Park could not be secured, owing to the
condition of the public treasury, but that
assurance was given by the committee
of the House of Representatives having
the subject in charge that the desired APP
preparation would be made as soon as
practicable. 1t is hoped by the committee
that the amount necessary will be appro-
priated by Congress at its next session.
The committee desires the sum requisite
for securing tue ground Immediately west
of and adjoining Oak Hill cemetery and
bounded on the west by Lovers Lane for
a park for the people of West Washing
ton. and urges an appropriation for pro-
yiGing roadwayS and birdie paths IN ROCK
Creek Park.
Public Health.
Conclusions that cannot be overthrown
are set forth in the report of this commit
tee. follows:
THE city of Washington being the cap
ital of the United States should be placed
and kept in the best sanitary condition,
which cannot be accomplished whilst the
system of sewage disposal remains unfin-
ished, the system of drinking water supply
IS inadequate and without any proper ef-
. to- %I,< Ana
costa fats continue menace to the health
of the people,.
There Is a powerful appeal for liberal CO.
operation and united and forceful activity
in behalf of such legislation as Is necessary
TO bring about the accomplishment of re-
suits in which every human being In the
District of Columbia must be interested.
Public Library.
Appropriations to make effective the act
establishing a free public library and the
opening of the Congressional Library at
night are the topics discussed by this COM
mittee. The District Commissioners have
included in their estimates an appropria-
ton for the maintenance of the public
library as supplement Of the District edu-
cational system, and to the support Oh that
estimate the committee calls the board OF
trade. A vigorously conducted campaign Is
to be waged; there will be no cessation of
effort, no surrender of principle.
AS to the opening of the Congressional
Library at night the committee notes the
fact that the library is primarily refer
ence library for students and cannot, per-
haps, be converted into popular clrculat-
ing library. 1t can, however, be made OF
vastly greater usefulness as reference
library to the people of the United States.
for whose benefit it is maintained. by an
enlargement of the hours within which 1t
is open to the public. The committee pro-
poses to do everything in its power in this
important matter.
Public Schools.
One topic-and that probably of more i'm
portance than any other in all the educa-
tive fields discussed by the committee on
public schools The committees attention
has been fixed on manual training and the
present result is a thoughtful disquisition.
interesting to every good citizen. The com
mittee urges the need for suitable build
ings, properly equipped, and indorses the
estimate of $2J0OOO with which sum sites
could be purcha and two structures
erected; one for white pupils. the other for
oolored scholars. 1t is shown conclusively
that Washington is far behind a number of
less important communities in this latter
day practical education; condition which
will surely not be permitted to continue Tor
any considerable period.
Public Buildings.
A new municipal building for the District
tiers occupied by the. Commissioners and n
large number of their subordinates are in
adequate and unfit, and must soon be sup
Ilemented by rented buildings in which to
accommodate officials who are unable to
properly transact business in the structure
now used.
There can be no rational reply to the con-
tention that a new municipal building is
inperatively demanded for the convenience
of our own citizens, and by every conSid
GRAFTON based upon local pride and self-re-
spect.
The recommendation of the committee
favorS building adjacent to and upon the
site of the present city hall; the edlfice to
be sufficiently capaciouS to accommodate
the municipal and judicial authorities The
sum of $lOo,0O0 is asked with which to be-
gin the work.
Public Order.
Extraordinary activity is urged in behalf
of an increased police force: the estimates
of the superintendent of police being sus-
tanned in their entirety. Without such in
crease there must either be a dangerously
overworked department or serious in
crease in crime and misdeameanor.
More money Is also needed for the eco
Eomical administration of the affairs of the
District National Guard. Under present
conditions there Is much waste because
armorieS are rented. The solution of the
most conspicuous problem is said to be the
erection of an armory large enough to shell
ter the entire brigade.
Railroads.
This committee Is busily engaged in dis
cussiLg the details of plans which have for
their object the abolition of grade crossings
in South Washington. 1t is not possible at
this time to make any report Of the pro-
ceedinss because the projects have not
yet crystallized. AS soon as anything def
-lite has been agreed upon the committee
will make a special report.
River and HarbOr Improvement.
This committee reports delay in the work
of dredging the Georgetown channel. In
minor improvements there has been pro-
gress. There is expression of hopefulness
as to the possibility of an appropriation
for the improvement of the Anacostia
river.
Sewerage.
This committee has done no work, be-
cause there has been no work to do. The
chairman declares himself satisfied that
the District Commissioners are planning
enough to keep themselves and the COM
mittee on sewerage very busy during the
coming session of Congress.
Streets and Avenues.