Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-10-19
PROGRESS OF THE DISTRICT
DATA COMPILED BY DIRECTION OF
COMMISSIONER ROSS.
Advances Made During the Past De-
cade-Compsrison of Appropriation
Bills Business Contrast.

District Commissioner John W. Ross stated
that for his own use he has had prepared
statistics with regard to the growth Of the
District in municipal matters during the
past decade When 1t is remembered" re-
marked Mr.. Ross, that this period includes
the financial depression which began in
1898, and which lasted for at least five
years. the showing made by these statistics.
In my opinion, is highly creditable. and 1t
has occurred to me that they may be or
interest to the people Of the District
The statistics are as follows: From 1900
to 1880 the total amount appropriated for
school buildings and sites was - 81. 214. 60
and between 1880 and the present time
s.. 1s9. 4S0 IS have been appropriated for those
purposes. In 1890 there were ninety-six
school buildings in use, including small
frame buildings and rented quarters; there
are now 113 buildings in use, and fifteen
more in course Of construction, making a
total Of 12S in all. There were in 1890 745
teachers and 36.9O6 pupils, and In 1900 the
numbers have been increased to !, 22i teach
ers and 1900 pupils. Since 1890 the East
err. and Western High Schools have been
built. and separate quarters have been Sc
cured for the Business High School: also
appropriations have been made for the es-
tablishment of a white and colored man
ual training high school, and kindergartens
have been introduced into the school sys-
tenn.
Fire and Police Departments.
I'm the year 1890 the fire department Of
the District Of Columbia consisted OF eight
engine and two truck houses and 100 men.
Al this time it consists Of fourteen engines.
four truck. two chemical and two truck and
tw, chemical houses in course Of construc-
ton. making a total Of twentyfour houses
with 243 men in the department.
I'm 1890 the police department consisted
of 376 men and nine precinct station houses:
there are now $50 men on the force. and
one additional station house Is In course OF
construction. and an additional substation
has been rented in Anacostia.
"A total Of S1.4 miles Of asphalt and coal
tar and SO miles of asphalt block street
paving had been laid prior to 1891 There
are now 40. ID miles Of asphalt and coal tar
AND 1715 miles Of asphalt block paving laid
showing an increase Of 47.S miles during
the past ten years.
THE first cable car was run over the It'll
street branch Of the Capital Traction Com
psny road on the 9th day Of April, 1890,
and today there are 1892 miles of double.
or 79.41 miles Of single track. Of under
ground electric railways. and 5967 single
track Of overhead electric railways. making
a total of 1905 miles Of single track Of
electric railroad tracks In the Dlstrlct OF
Columbia.
Library Exhibit.
1.-THE Washington Public Library. which
now contains 1890 volumes. was estab-
lished since $780, and construction has been
begun on the new $35O.0O0 public library
donated by Mr.. Andrew Carnegie, which
will have a capacity Of 2S3.27O volumes
"Since 1890 the free bathing beach has
been established, and 1t Is now furnishing
free bathing facilities to about $4,000 bath
ers annually.
do
for the purchase Of ground for the estab-
lishment of the Rock Creek Park, the to-
pography of which insures in time one Of
the most beautiful parks in the worlu
The Water System.
During the past ten years new reserva-
voirs have been established in the vicinity
of Fort Reno and Brightwood. the Howard
University reservoir will soon be available
and extensive experiments have been made
in the filtration Of our water supply. which
have resulted In an appropriation of $780,
600 this year for the establishment of
portion of a filtering plant.
1.-The Commissioners two years ago adopt
ed the beginning of a system of cleaning
the improved streets by hand, under the
direct control of the municipality, and from
the last Congress they secured approprta-
lions for the collection of ashes. combusti-
BILE waste and night soil by the District.
An appropriation of 100000 was made dur
ing the last session of Congress for the
purchase of a site upon which to establish
a municipal hospital.
1.-The reports of the inspector of buildings
show that from 1890 to the present time over
SOS. 900 600 has been expended in the erec-
ton and repair Of buildings in the District
of Columbia.
There were in 1890 500 bar-room and 465
wholesale liquor licenses. making total
of LIS. At the present time there are but
513 bar-room and 125 wholesale liquor
licenses issued, although the city has in
creased in population $1,000 during the
same period of time.
Progress Remarkable.
Besides the above enumerated improve
ments" said Mr.. Ross, i" in the municipal
affairs Of the District during the past ten
years. although the population shows but
an increase Of 2O.9S per centum, its bust
ness affairs have shown many instances Of
most remarkable progress. an instance of
which may be found In the following ex-
tract from the Financial Review of Sep
TENDER %:
"A comparison Of the resources and liza
btltties Of the local banks in September,
1880 and 1900, respectively, shows that in
1890 the deposits were S1O,961 1896; loans,
$1,000 510; capital stock. $2.G27 900; surplus
and undivided profits s1,324 1856; total re-
sources, SIS, 63O,649. In 1900 deposits were
$3.O2I.0 600; surplus and undivided profits,
81, 26O. OQ6; total resources. $252O5 245.
The paid-in capital stock of the Jour
trust companies is $14, las. $50. The surplus
posts $40. ,274; loans, So, 462, 30; total
resources, SIG, O47. 721.'"
Nominated for Congress
DETROIT, Mich. October 19.-Represen-
tative John B. Corliss of Detroit was re-