The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-21

cal year 1879. The appropriation OH iOI
the fiscal year provided $1,000 for snow
and ice work. and we had on hand an I'M
expended balance OF S1,770.19, making 81
77019 for this work This amount was
expended during the month Of February,
and in March We had to call upon Con-
gress for an extra appropriation OF SlOOc.
This work being an unknown quantity we
can not estimate for the exact amount
necessary. 1t is merely a guess as to the
amount needed, and as the $1,000 appro-
pTiated. heretofore, has proven to be in
sufficient, l would guess $1,000 for the
fiscal year 1902.
THAT $1,000 has never been sufficient
to do the work has been shown by re-
peated calls upon Congress for etxra ap'
preparations. as well as FERROUS complaints
On account of delay in doing the work,
which delay was caused by not having
sufficient funds to prosecute the work rs
it should be. In order to meet emergen-
cies of this kind promptly and be able to
prosecute the work in q satisfactory man
ner we should have at least $1,000 avail
able at all times during the winter
months.
SprinISiing Unimproved Streets.
1.-The sprinkling of our unimproved
streets and avenues has been long greatly
neglected. not that it was not deemed
necessary, but because OF the limited
funds allotted for that purpose. During
the past year a number of the heavily
travelled unimproved streets and avenues
were sprinkled once or twice per day;
and the residents thereon and the people
travelling over them have been quick to
express their appreciation of the service.
Not only are the people living on these
streets and those who Travelled over them
benefited by such sprinkling, but every
body who resides In the immediate neigh
borhood of them receives a share OF II, Tor
the reason that when the streets are not
sprinkled dust is carried into and blown
upon the improved streets by heavy winds
to such an extent that people living sew
eral squares away are annoyed by it. II
all the unimproved streets and avenues in
the city could be sprinkled during dry
weather l believe that more people would
be benefited thereby than are by any
other character OF work done under the
department; and 1t is hoped that our ap-
preparation will be SO increased as to
enable us TO do this work in a proper
manner in the next fiscal year.
las is shown in the table, we expended
during the fiscal year Sl,457.50 for this
purpose. For the current year $4,000 is
available. and we are sprinkling double
the area that we did last year. To do the
work properly we should have an appro-
priation of $1,000.
For sprinkling, sweeping. and cleaning
streets, avenues, alleys, and suburban
streets, including necessary incidental ex-
penses, an appropriation of 1854 is rec
commended being an increase over last year
Of s14.400. All the work done under this
department. with the exception of city
refuse and snow and ice work, is paid for
out of this appropriation. The principal
object of the increase estimated is to fur
Their extend the daily Misunderstanding sys
tenn which has met with such universal
commendation and to provide for more
frequent cleaning of some Of the streets
swept by machine also for the better SER
vice in the work of cleaning unimproyed
streets, sprinkling, etc.
1T will be observed by consulting the
table showing the comparison OF amounts
for the current year ard hat OF The fiscal
year 1902 that only s5.00n increase is asked
for hand cleaning, $1,000 fof machine clean
ing 81 400 Cor unimproyed street work.
and $1,000 for sprinkling.
THE foregoing estimates have been
carefully prepared and are not subject TO
for the reason that l have only
asked sufficient increase to meet the de-
mands on the appropriation by the addi-
tional work. due to newly paved streets,
etc, otherwise the natural growth of the
city.
1T will be observed that my estimate
for the sprlnkling, sweoiing, and cleaning
streets, ETC., for the fiscal year 1902 is
s35. SEQ less than for the past two years.
This is principally due to the fact that the
hand cleaning work is done under the di-
rect supervision OF the Commissioners
without contract. which reduces the cost
Of the work; also the rate paid for other
work is less than for former years.
For snow and ice work an sppropria-
ton of 5000 is recommended, being an
increase of 81 900. In order that the work
may be taken up promptly and be prose-
cuted in a satisfactory manner in case Of
we should have available at
least $1,000. 1t is said that snow and ice
work comes while Congress is in session
and that II the $1,000 appropriation is not
sufficient to do the work, 1t will supply
the deficiency. While this is true. and
also that Congress has responded prompts
" to our calls for an emergency appro- !
priation, yet much time is lost. and the I
work has been suspended on account OF
the lack Of funds. Besides, storms do not (
wait on Congress. They may come on |
Sundays, holidays, or at any other time |
when Congress is not in session. and one |
Dr. two days time would elapse before an |
appropriation could be made, therefore |
fund should be available at all times "
ing the winter months.
THE total appropriation recommended !
Tor salaries in the street cleaning service |
for the fiscal year 1902 is S25, GOO or an in |
:rease OF 1900 over that OF the current I
year OF this amount $500 increase is asked /
'or one clerk, who, sinse the transfer of
he work of collection and disposal of city
'efusc 10 this department, has acted in
he capacity Of chief clerk At the pres
mt time he only receives $500, which is
rot in keeping with the duties performed
~ him, and $500 increase would be only
recognition Of services properly rem
Tered
1.-THE balance of the increase asked for
$500 is for 5000 each in the pay of three
inspectors. who at the present time re-
,eive $500 each. This slight increase In
he salaries of these three men should b.
allowed. fer the reason that their duties
and responsibilities are the came as other
Inspectors who receive s1.100 each This
would not only be justice to all concerned.
but would be conducive TO better discipline
and efficiency in the service.
Collection of City Refuse
For the collection and disposal of city
refuse an appropriation OF S1o6,579 is rec
this being the total amount OF
entered into July /, for the va
rious classes OF work, as follows: ColIer>
iicn and disposal OF garbage, s51 GOO; col
lection and disposal of ashes, s29,g79; COL
lection and disposal of night soil $1,000.
and fer collection and disposal OF miscel-
Iapeous refuse IS, 900
'In connection with the salaries recon-
mended for inspectors and clerks on this
class OF work, | would respectfully state
that the difference between the present
per diem rating and the salaries recon-
mendod is very slight. being only s. each
per annum. This recommendation. if agreed