Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-28
For Fiscal Year 1901.


In explanation of his estimates Mr.. Slut
Ter says:
THE estimate of s2o50OO is based upon
the actual cost of system of hand
cleaning by day labor without contract, as
experimentally provided for in the $4,000
appropriated for the fiscal year ended June
80 1899. The actual cost per thousand
square yards under this system. including
Under contract for the same year the rate
was 10 cents per 1000 square yards, which
ate was reduced to 21A cents per 1000 for
the current year on account of a limit in
the appropriation act.
THE principal object of the increase
($6O,0n) estimated for is to extend the
daily Misunderstanding system, which has met
with universal communication and to pro-
vide for more frequent cleaning of the
streets swept by machine Also, for better
service on the work of cleaning the i'm
proved alleys, unimproved streets, sprin-
king, etc. Under the present appropriation
s145,o0o 1t is impossible to give the public
good and efficient service. About one-third
OF the area of the streets is cleaned only
cree week; one-third but twice a week
and the remaining third daily by hand To
give eminently satisfactory results nearly
all of the streets should be cleaned daily
and certainly none of them less than three
times week. To do the proposed work
under contract at the present rate o1H
cents per 1000 square yards. would cost
per annum Of go working days $233 STS or
S2SSIS more than by daily hand labor with
cut contract.
Snow and Ice Fund
|. THE increased appropriation asked for
removing snow and ice is in keeping with
the act approved March q 1897, which yir-
tually requires that the cutters be kept
free from snow and ice, and that the street
crossings be kept clear for a space of ten
feet In width. Our experience in removing
snow and ice last winter has taught us
that our estimates heretofore, as we'll as
our appropriations, have been entirely in
adequate for the purpose. We were COM
PEELED to call for three special appropria-
tons last winter. While Congress was as
prompt as could possibly be expected in
responding to our calls, yet there were two
occasions on which delays Of one or two
days occurred, and this work is of the
immediate emergency kind, such delays
cause great inconvenience to the public
The appropriations for the snow and ice
work last winter amounted in all to $:32 900,
OF winch amount, by careful and judiciouS
expenditure, we were enabled to save about
$1,000 In order that we may be prepared
to meet any emergency in the future we
should have for this work an appropriation
OF at least 100000, the appropriation to be
made available only for the removal Of
snow and ice. With such an appropriation
We would be able to avoid the repeated ap-
pedlS 10 congress at times when 1t is
crossed upon other weghty matters.
Removal of Anhes.
Il respectfully renew the recommended
ten made by me last year fer an appro-
prfation OF $4,000 for the collection and
disposal of ashes. The systematic collec-
ton of ashes and debris has long been a
crying need in Washington. Very frequent
ly ashes mixed with decayng matter, tin
cans and other Objectionable refuse are
swept and thrown from houses and back
yards into the public alleys by the poorer
classes CT people, who cannot afford to hire
an ash man. leaving a most insanitary
condition until the street cleaning depart
ment is compelled to remove the debris al
the expense of its own appropriation. The
citizens almost universally favor the
moval of ashes by the municipality, as is
done in nearly every city of any size not
only in the United States, but in Canada
and in Europe
The Salaries.
THE clerk, for whom an increase of $500
is asked, performs work of highly re-
sponsibe and onerous character, especially
counts for the monthly payments to con-
tractors. His responsibility is at least as
great as that of the District supervisors,
and his salary should be the Same.
THE estimated increase of $500 each in
the pay of three inspectors is to secure
equal compensation for these Inspectors
with the other men who do the same kind
of work and have the same responsible
ties. This increase is not only Just to all
concerned. but it conduces to better dis
cipline and efficiency in the service.