Evening star., 1901-12-28
DISTRICT EXPENDITURES
WHAT 1T COST TO RUN THE LOCAL
GOVERNMENT LAST YEAR.
Nearly Ten Million DOlIars-Greatest
Amount Was Spent on Educa-
tfon-Other Items.

Few people outside of the District service
know Just where the millions that are an
nually appropriated by Congress for the
support of the government Of the national
capital go. The summary account of ex-
penditures during the fiscal year, as kept
by Auditor j. T. Petty and Disbursing Of
ficer Charles C. Rogers, tells the story of
the great cost attached to the conduct Of a
modern American municipality. The total
expenditures in the District during the fis-
cal year which ended June 80 last amounted
to 50, 437, S29.13 When this Is stated it Is
realized what a deficiency might occur If
Congress should this year adhere strictly
to the recommendation of the Secretary of
the Treasury that the appropriations for
the District be kept within S,5O0,OOO.
The item of greatest expense under the
District government is the cost of running
the public schools. Last year the expendi-
lures on account of the educational inter-
ests of the city were over a million and a
half dollars in round figures. 10 be exact,
the amount was S1,a24 ,3IS.32 Inc next
greatest item of expense which the District
had to meet was the payment OF interest
and sinking fund insallments on the bond
ed Indebtedness. Payments ON tnlS account
reached 81 ,219, ,969.97.
Of the District cost nearly three-quarters
Of million dollars, $I4S, ,5o95e Inc ponce
department was the next most expensive
institution of the District, costing $7OS,-
S1937 In addition to this Congress appro-
priated $4,000 for the maintenance OF pub
lie order during inauguration week, ana
all but SS.57 was disbursed. The nre de-
partment cost for it's maintenance $685.
025 on The salaries of the District Commits
sioners and other District officials and
clerks, together with contingent expenses
OF Offices amounted to 1878, 1923. The eX-
penditures on account of sewers were $685.
1p.,en L;r 6a1 10
ing the general sewage system and the con-
struction of new sewers.
The Districts share in the expense of as
sessment and permit work amounted 10
S4O3 1856 50. This work includes mainly the
LAYING of cement sidewalks and the set
ting of the new style granite curb through
out the city. A number OF sewers are
also constructed under the permit sys-
tenn In the improvement of streets,
avenues and alleys the District spend the
snug sum of 1888, ,213.O3 The water depart
ment expenses were $34S, So The water
department is self sustaining. To the ex-
penses of that branch Of the government
service, however should be added the sum
of $345, 600, which was used for increasing
the water supply, most Of 1t going into the
Hoxie, or Washington aquednct tunnel,
which was recently used to fill the Howard
University reservoir. There should also be
added to the water account the sum of S37-
600, which was expended IN the mantle
nance of the Washington aaueduct, which
conveys the water from Great Falls to the
distributing reservoir In Georgetown. Then,
too, the filtration plant was, begun last
year, the sum of $676, ,S91. 40 having been ex-
pended for the purchase of the site and
the working plans. Special and trust funds
of the water department took UP S239 SO6.21
of the revenues derived from the water
rents.
Some of the other more important ex-
penses of the District were:
Extension Of streets and avenues, $685.
435.!3; plans for permanent system of high
ways, $2, 2,505.OS; grading streets, avenues
ard alleys, by chain gang, 1881 %; con-
demnation or purchase of land for streets,
etc, 81 O396O; surveys on account OF sub
division of land, $S44. so; sweeping and
cleaning streets, avenues and alleys, Sl54,-
and crossings. $s05; collecting and disposal
of city refuse, $115,514.2'; collection and re-
moval of garbage So, 293. .03; current repairs
to streets and alleys, including repairs to
concrete pavements, $204 $50. "A; current re-
pairs to county roads and suburban streets,
$72 9oo.19; expenses Of parking commission,
$23917.31; care and Improvement Of public
grounds, $6O,850; replacing sidewalks and
curbs around public reservations, $S,157. .56;
lighting streets, avenue alleys and grounds,
$246, ,5333 IS; bridges, s132, 4o1 155; telegraph
and telephone service. s44,2o 81; courts,
$1O5, ,O9o.54; health department, $40, ,s92. SO;
militia, $43,4O1 D; free public library,
$9,745.S5; emergency fund, $3,3 03; writs
of lunacy, s7,211.2o; harbor and river front,
81, 9S5. 27; public pumps, S., 451.16 public
scales, $151.70; bathing beach, $2,543.31
National Geological Park, $685. sol. so; Rock
Creek Park, 600; purchase Of lot 8, block
12 Washington Heights, $11 800; amount OF
damages paid to Edward Lander and to the
surveyor, $672; payment Of judgment, $21,-
6115s; expenses of condemnation Of alleys.
$212.19; payment Of Northern Liberty Mar
ket claims, $454.o1; expenses Of excise
board S., ,46S. 13.