The times., 1899-02-07
ntLnT & COMPANY, 5l3=5I5 Seventh St.
MONEY TO REMOVE SNOW.
The Authorities Urge Congress to
Immediate Action.

Partial action on joint resolution ap-
propriating 81 600 for the removal OF sEow
from the streets of Washington was yes
terdsy taken by Congress, when the House
approved such measure The measure is
10 be brought to the attention of the Sem
ate today, and will probably receive i'm
mediate approval. In that event money
will be available; men will be placed on
all the principal thoroughfares and the
work of removing the snow begun.
The action of Representative Cannon in
recommending the appropriation Of $1,000
was taken only after visit to the Cap tol
by District Commissioner Wight and
conference with the Chairmen of the Dis
trict Committees In Congress. Mr.. Wight
carried letter which had been prepared
by Commissioner Ross early in the day,
and approved by all the Commissioners
shortly before noon. The letter recited
facts given in The Times yesterday morn
ing, to the effect that the Commissioners
were without funds with which to bsar the
expense of removing snow. In view of this
fact. and the impedment TO travel caused
by the snow during the past forty hours
the Commissioners, through Mr.. Wight,
made last appeal for an appropriation of
$1,000, as asked by them last week.
J. T. Petty, Auditor for the District.
Wights visit, and urged Chairman Can
non to take action upon the Commission
ers' request for $1,000. Mr.. Cannon refused
to do this on the ground that he was under
the impression that the emergency fund OF
the District might be utilized for the re-
moval of snow. When Commissioner
Wight visited the Capitol, he convinced
Mr.. Cannon that this was a mistaken i'm
preston. The emergency fund aggregates
.t..a,s
1t used for the removal of snow would soon
be used up. 1t is upon this emergency
fund that the local Health Department de-
pends in time of epidemcs and infections
As smallpox has made its appearance in
the city, the Commissioners think that the
emergency fund should be kept intact Al
ready numerous extra policemen have been
appointed for duty in connection with the
Health Department during the smallpox
epidemic Expert physicians attaches. and
attendants have to be engaged and dis
infectants purchased All this costs a
great deal of money. and the emergency
fund is used, in great part, for the pay
ment of these expenses.
Commissioner Wight told Mr. Cannon
that the snow would have TO remain on
| the ground until it melted unless an ap-
preparation were made by Congress Chair
man Cannon looked out of one of the large
windows of the Appropriations Committee
room and beheld the Capitol reservation
covered with nine inches of snow. while
he could plainly see the large embank-
ments that lined the curbing of distant
| streets. Moreover the snow continued to
fall.
| Mr.. Cannon thereupon appeared upon the
| floor of the House and called up "A bill
| granting $1,000 for the removal of snow.
| The bill was passed under a suspension of
| rules. Had it not been for the vote upon
| the Peace Treaty in the Senate which
| occupied that body yesterday afternoon,
the measure would probably have been ap-
| proved by the latter body also. and signed
| by the President This action Will likely
! be taken today.
When it was seen that Congress was on
fair way To granting an appropriation to
| remove snow banks in all the streets OF
| the. city the District Commissioners con-
| ferred with the Superintendent of Street
| Cleaning and decided that it would be wise
| to arrange for the work to be done as
quickly as possible after the Senate agrees
| TO grant the deficiency appropriation OF
! 81 O0O.
! Contractor Daggett was informed OF this
action and Immediately advertised for 900
men. He is desirOus of getting as many
men possible. and if the appropriation
| bill passes will be in a position to put
| hundreds at work