Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-11-13
this subject. As a result 1t is believed that

by taking steps which they recommend
manufactor may be successfully estab-
Hshed in the District Of Columbia. The
committee states that many cities and
towns exempt new manufactures from tax
eS for limited periods and offer real estate
at low prices, iii suitable locations, as a
quire action by Congress: the last, action
by property owners and citizens. 1t Is set
forth in the report of the committee that
the capitals Of nearly every other civilized
nation contain large manufacturing inter-
ests, producing wealth and affording oppor-
tunites for labor and the investment of
capital, and that in consequence population
and wealth have rapidly increased in Lon
don, Paris, Berlin. Vienna and many other
capitals that might be mentioned.
The committee Is engaged in collecting &C
curate statistics that will furnish valuable
information regarding the advantages of
manufacturing interests that exist in the
capitals Of other nations and other cities
here and elsewhere. The District of Co
lumbia, 1t Is considered. with its water
power. occupies geographically and COM
mercially, a most advantageous position for
establishing and maintaining manufacture
ing industries, and, upon examination, 1t is
found that there are ample grounds in the
District Of Columbia and adjacent thereto
that can be used for manufacturing pur-
poses, that will in no wise interfere with
the attractiveness Of the capital.
Among the many reasons advanced in the
committees report for establishing manu-
factories mere, Is the important consluera-
ton that 1t would furnish opportunities for
employment to thousands Of young men,
born and educated in Washington.
The committee recommends introducing
into the postal system of the United States
the extension of the parcel post both do
nestle and foreign 1t Is prepared to fur
nish valuable informa ton on this subject
which will Justify the board in recommend
ing this measure. To extend the present
postal system in this country requires ac-
ton bV Congress whereas the extension of
the foreign parcel post requires only the
direction Of the President to institute con-
nections with foreign countries, under the
authority of existing law.
Half and Half Appropriation OBJ
served.
1t Is very gratifying to be able to state
that. through the direct influence Of the
board of trade, every item in the District
appropriation bill for the present fiscal
year was passed in accordance with the
organic act of 1875 namely. 80 per centum
from the revenues of the District and so
per centum from the treasury Of the
Inited States. This is the first time since
1888 that appropriations have been made
for municipal expenses providing for one
half from the revenues of the District of
Columbia. 1t is confidently expected that
Congress will, in the future as they have
this year, keep the compact entered into
with the people Of the District and embod-
leu III Tie VI SdIllC ACT. W neTeNer lnlS mas
been departed from the citizens Of the Dis
trict have keenly felt its injustice.
1t will be the duty of the board Of trade
at the next session of Congress, to use
every effort to cause Congress, in author
izing the extension and opening Of streets,
to provide that they shall be paid upon
the half-and-half principle. If the merits
OF the question are properly understood by
Congress we feel sure no other course will
be pursued. The direct and proper course
for District officials and citizens is never
to propose such appropriations and refuse
assent thereto. Any other course Is a de-
parture from the law and equities involved
There are no improvements or needs how
ever desirable and important to the Dis
trict, that should be secured by consenting
to an appropriation wholly out Of the reve-
nues of the District Street extensions
had better not be authorized than to pro-
vide the whole of the expense necessary
therefor out of the revenues of the Dis
trict.
District Finances.
The condition of the District finances is
subject for serious consideration
The estimates made for appropriation
for fiscal year 1901. e-half charge
able to District Of Columbia, is. SO $50, 5s7 Is
Street extension awards paid
to October 2. 1900. -. .S275 $50 90
Street extension awards not
paid ............... 3s9.558 10
Street extension authorized
not awarded. ............ $50 6O3 90
-- 1547, 100 10
- Total. ......................$5 So, 431 296 26
Surplus revenue July /.
1900 ......:..........s 39s.0s3 II
Unexpended balance of
appropriation estimated 5000 90
Assessors estimate of
celpts ................ 5,946,oIS 10
--- 4,s7see1 81
Deficiency, year ending June 80 1901 81 O51 1874 80
The street extension has absorbed the
surplus and overplus revenues and is the
cause Of the entire amount Of the estimated
deficiency.
In the next year we expect filtration to be
provided for at cost Of at least. 81 OS1 900
For completion Of sewerage system. ., g. 800 OOO
For municipal building. 81 900, 900 or " 25OO OOO
Amount of deficiency. ................ O51 900
$s132, 600
Further Extension of Streets.
This is without providing for further
street extension, which, Of course must 20
on from year to year; the retaining of An
acostia flats, the parks and other improve
ments. How shall this amount or any con-
siderable part of 1t be met? 1t cannot come
from current revenues; that is impossible
The only course, it seems, is to do like all
other cities in this and other countries do,
t. e., issue low interest bearing bonds. 1t
is practical and favored by the honorable
Commissioners.
vanced by the government, as it was done
in the purchase of Rock Creek Park the
District half to be returned in annual in
stallments from the District revenues
These large and absolutely necessary i'm
for