Evening star., 1900-12-03

the Commissioners were much limited In
the number of men and women from whom
selection could be made, but the Commits
sioners were fortunate in obtaining the
services OF c. J. Bell, George II. Harries,
D.. Richard Kingsman, J. Holdsworth Cor
don. Mrs. Henry Litchfeld West. Mrs. j.
II. Francis and James F. Bundy- AS the
work devolving upon them required them
to forego in part their summer vacations
and to spend a great deal of time by day
and by night in beginning their task, the
Commissioners feel that great credit Is due
them and that they deserve the thanks or
all interested in the welfare of the school
system. They worked SO expeditiously and
so successfully that within a month they
had announced the new organization or the
school system. Following a conservative
policy they made changes. either In
personnel curriculum, except such as
had been shown to be necessary. They
gratfied the citizens by promoting to the
new office of superintendent A. T. Stuart,
who had been for years supervising prin-
Cipal of the community. They promoted
to the new offices of assistant superin-
tendent Mrs. Ida G. Myers. principal Of
the Normal School. and w. s.. Montgom-
cry, principal of the ninth division. With
very few exceptions no other changes were
made In the teaching of force but those
caused by these promotions. The board
upon the recommendation of the superin-
tendent. altered the curriculum so as to
make 1t more practical. and to reduce the
amount of home study required Of the
pupils. 1t also made Improvements In the
business management Of the school sys-
TEN. which has been most faithfully con-
Quoted by It's executive officer II. H.
Twombly, secretary to the board of educa-
tion.
During the past fiscal year the public
school system expanded in normal ratio
to the increase of the population and In
to the development of different
localities and by the increase of rapid tran
sit In all. nearly 49113 persons were
to, sl,A 0yt t1,ar.
day or night sessions, yet it is still true
that there is not sufficient accommodation
for the schools, and that more buildings
are greatly needed to meet the growing
needs. The Commissioners. therefore.
heartily indorse the recommendations of
the board of education in this regard in
their estimates. 1t is also necessary that
additional land for Fairgrounds should be
purchased for school buildings that have
no such facilities The Improvement Of
the sanitary conditions Of the schools. car
ried on efficiently during the year. should
be continued as rapidly as possible in the
interest of public health. In this relation
the Commissioners commend the sugges-
tion of the board of education that physi-
clans Of standing should be employed to
make frequent medicao inspections for the
of the school authorities and
the parents of the children.
Civil Service.
The Commissioners believe thoroughly in
the merit system of appointments and pro-
motions in the District service. which has
been established and maintained by the
action of the Commissioners but ought to
have the formal protection of act of
Congress. As the Attorney General Of the
United States has held that the President
is not authorized. under the civil service
act to extend the civil service rules over
the District offices, the Commissioners are
to ask once more that Con-
Eress will pass civil service act for the
District of Columbia.
Memorial Bridge.
The Commissioners are heartily in SYM
pathy with the proposition for the con-
structon of a memorial bridge across the
Potomac river TO Arlington cemetery. They
believe that such "a memorial to American
patriotism ought to be erected at an early
date.
Parks and Fairgrounds.
AS the buildings of the city of Washing
ton spread over the District of Columbia
and the city itself becomes more compact
the need for additional parks and play
grounds becomes more apparent. In some
sections of the city there is no provision
Of this kind. Children especially suffer
from having no playground except the
street. In the summer time it is particu-
larly hard upon those who cannot leave the
city for any length of time. Women with
infants are in many cases obliged to go
long distances TO get to a park. The Com
missioners. therefore, view with sympathy
the different suggestions that have been
made in recent years for increasing the
public grounds in the District Of Columbia.
of the Engineer Depart
ment.
The engineer department of the District
of Columbia was. during the fiscal year,
under the charge of Captain Lansing II.
Beach. Corps of Engineers. T. S. A. He
had as assistants Captain William P. Craig
hill. Corps of Engineers, from July / to
about September u: Captain ID. ID. Gail
lard. Corps OF Eng .neers. from September
IL. and Captain II. e. Newcomer. Corps OF
from January 15 to the close OF
the fiscal year.
Captain Gallard was placed in charge OF
the water. sewer. plumbing and building
and Captain Newcomer was given
supervision over streets county roads,
bridges, surveyors office and parking com
mission.
Street and Alley Pnvements.
Details of the work relating to street and
alley pavements and county roads will be
found in the report of the computing en-
gineer. Mr.. c. Il. Hunt, for which see page
a.
Sheet asphalt and asphalt block were the
only materials used for street pavements
during the year. Vitrified block was used
mainly In alleys, few of which however
were paved with asphalt block
The prices paid for sheet asphalt were
H.7S and S1.SU per square yard: asphalt
block. $1.U per square yard. For the COM
ing year prices will be 81. T9I. for sheet as
phalt and SLIT for asphalt block
1t is again recommended that the granite
block pavements throughout the city be re-
placed as rapidly as possible with sheet as
phalt or asphalt block. Business men gen
orally on streets paved with this class OF
material have petitioned repeatedly for
smooth and less noisy pavement. The gran
ite block is undoubtedly detriment to a
business street under the conditions pre-
vailing in Washington as such pavements
are more or less avoided by traffic and
trade diverted thereby. The Commissioners
earnestly urge that the Improvements de-
sired be carried out as rapidly as possible
While granite block is most economical
pavement as far maintenance is con-
Cerned. its noise and roughness. compared
with the smooth paVementS and light traf-
fic which prevail generally in this city.
make it highly undesirable in Washington.
This condition of affairs has been recog-
nized by the various government depart
ments and by Congress in several In
stances. The granite block pavement has
been removed from 7th street between f
and G streets. in front of the Post Office
and Interior Department buildings. the Sec
retaries of these departments having urged
the matter. The director of the census
now desires to have the granite block ad-
jacent to the census building removed also.
hSA hoy ,I..S.