The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-01-10
THE DISTRICT FINANCES
Commissioner Maefarland's Views
on the Present Situation.
Hopeful That Congress VIII Come to
the Rescue by Authorizing Adj
Consequences Sure 10 Result From
UafavOrabIe Action in the Matter

Commissioner MacfarIand today in
speaking TO a Times reporter about the
District Appropriation bill, expressed his
confidence that some way would be found
TO relieve the District in its present fin
anciaI condition. He said that he felt
very hopeful that Congress would meet
the crisis in the District finances created
by the appropriation of more than 1900,
000 of District revenue for the whole cost
of street extensions, by passing the bill
prepared by the Commissioners, introduce
! ed by Senator Mcmillan and Representa-
tive Babcock. and reported favorably to
the House, authorizing advances from the
United States Treasury to meet the gen
eraI expenses of the District and to be
reimbursed from the District revenues
Mr. Macfarland explained that the ad-
yances will Of course be to meet any de-
| ficiency in the Districts one-haf contri-
| button TO the expenses, and will be in ad-
dition TO the one-hali paid by ne United
! States. Continuing. Mr. Mac,ariand said:
''As soon as they are relieved OF the
/ burden of the street extension cost the
revenues will be ample to meet our re
| qUirementS and TO reimburse the Govern
ment whatever may be advanced. The
amount Of the advancement viii. of course,
| be strictly limited by the appropriation
| of Congress for the general expenses Of
| the District. II this arrangement Is not
made the District in all its Interests viii
| be very seriously damaged. deep and
| sweeping cut in appropriations will have
/ 10 be made, which would set the District
| bsck for years TO come. Congress haY-
| ing created this situation against the rec
! OF he pf rho
| District viii doubtless. however, avert
/ such calamity TO the District
| THE Commissioners included in the
| bill providing for the advances. a pro-
| visO against a possible technical con-
| struction OF the act OF June, 1900, author
| iZing advances for part OF the present fs-
| cal year, which would have divided the
| cost of the street extensions yet TO be
| met between the United States and the
| District That was not the intent of Con-
| gress and We neither could nor would take
! advantage of an obvious mistake in the
| wording Of the act.
| IF we were not bound by the decision
| of Congress- or If it were a new question.
| I should oppose persistently the idea of
making the District pay the whole cost
| of these extensions. If the question
| should come up again as to new exten-
! Sions I should insist that the cost should
/ be divided between the United States and
| the District. 1 am not opposed to street
| extensions required by the public interest,
but they should be made only under the
half-and-haif principles of the act OF
1878"
The Commissioners today transmitted to
| Chairman Mcmillan. Of the Senate District
| Committee. Senate bill 5z4. This bill is
entitled, To reincorporate and preserve
| all The corporate franchises and property
rights of the de facto corporation known
| as the German Orphan Asylum Association
| Of the District OF Columbia
| The Commissioners inform Senator Nc
| MILAN tnat the bill was referred 10 the
| Board Of Charities and was returned with
| q recommendation for its enactment The
! Commissioners also approve the bill and
ask for its passage by the Senate.
The Commissioners have informed Mrs
! A M. Young OF this city, that the
| houses Nos 505 and 507 Twenty fourth
| Street northwest. have been connected il
an unauthorized manner with the public
| sewer near the cast building line OF
/ Twenty-fourth Street They state that
! they have been officially informed that
/ the connections were made surreptitious-
| ly and Mrs Young is informed that the
! connections viii not be allowed 10 re-
main after February /, 1901.
! The Commissioners state that unless
the provision is made to construct a pub
| lie sewer under the permit system, foI
| which deposit blank was furnished vii
liam F. Kelly, on August 30 1899, in re
sDOuse TO his written request, the uDau.
| thorized connection viii be promptly cut
OF on the date named.
An unheard-of thing has happened ir
| connection with the vacancy existing in the
Office Of Measurer of Wood for the Ana
costa district On December 26. 1860. Al
exandeT W Wheaton, incumbent Of the
Office died leaving It vacant, and up t
the present time no candidate has appeared
for the office. Though II pays nearly so
a month IN fees, still nobody seems t
want the plum. Dr.. William Tindall, Sec
| rejary of the Board Of Commissioners. ha
! communicated with several persons il
Anaeostia, bat without bringing out an
applications
Dr. TindaII says that In an experience
with the District government since its or
gauiZation under the present form sucl
a thing 'as a paying berth under the Com
missioners has not before gone begging.
The Commissioners have issued order
that sewer be laid along the north sid
OF Randolph Street, crossing North Capito
Street at an estimated cost of s15;
chargeable to the current appropriate
for suburban sewers.
That sewer be constructed in Champlai
Avenue. between Superior and Fri
Streets, at an estimated cost OF $50;
chargeable to the current appropriate
for suburban sewers
That three sewer manholes in the centr
OF Twenty-ifth Street between H and
Streets northwest be moved to new loca
tions at an estimated cost of S15G charge
able 10 deposit of the Capital Tractio
Company, work being made necessary
[ tE,o nrc-ntforc nf caia cnrroranrr IN II win