The Washington times., 1902-07-07
Statements From Various
Municipal Departments
Now to Be Submitted.
A SATISFACTORY PERIOD
Unprecedented Extent of Public Work
During Fiscal Year Just Ended
Routine Work of District Government
Increasing at Rapid Rate.

The District Commissioners have sent
letter 10 the head of each department
of the municipal service directing him.
under the law, to submit TO the board
on or before September 80 next a writ
ten report, in quadruplicate, Of the
operations of his department during
the fiscal year ended June 30. These
reports, when submitted and compiled.
constitute the annual report OF the
Commissioners published in four vol
uInes later in the year.
II is understood that the reports from
tbs several departments this year will
show considerable advance in the work
of public improvement for the period
covered. the last fiscal year was, all
things considered, the most satisfactory
in the history of the municipality. The
opening Of streets and the improvement
of those already opened, the laying of
sidewalks, the planting of trees, the cx-
tension of sewers, work on bridges. the
erection of school buildings and ether
public structures, the cleaning "a streets
and the general sanitation of the Dis
tltet have progressed more rapidly per-
haps than in any like period of the
history Z the city.
Largest Appropriation for Years.
The work OF the Commissioners has
proceeded in entire harmony, and the
- r. &c
over which they have supervision have
been carried forward according to the
policies in vogue for several years.
The appropriations for the last year
were the largest in the history of the
District. and to that fact is due to a
large extent the pushing forward of
public work along several lines.
1t may be said tha: the routine work
of the District Building is increasing
at a rapid rate. making necessary the
addition of new clerks from year TO year
to handle the volume Of ccrrespondence,
accounts ard files. Thousands of letters
have TO be answered every month, and
the records OF the correspondence alone
are voluminous.
In addition letters which bring sub
jects of special consideration before the
Commissioners require several indor3a
ments, and an equal number of entries
upon the records. The number of COM
plants, applications for one thing and
another, not to mention the letters ask
ing for appointments, is estimated in
the office of Secretary Tindall to be TO-
coo year.
The Health Department.
In the Health Department time and
attention has been devoted almost ex-
clusively to routine matters in the sew
erai bureaus. The service was enlarged
somewhat at the beginning OF last year
SO that greater attention was given to
the milk supply and the sale of adul-
terated foods than formerly The work
in the bureau of contagious diseases
was also pressed vigorously, ii having
been necessary to deal with a long run
ef smallpox, and to watch during the |
entire year the progress of the diseases |
CT scarlet fever, diphtheria, measles, |
etc, which are now epidemic in the |
city.
In the Electrical Department the ap- |
preparations for new lights and extern
siOns OF the fire alarm and police signal /
service were spent to the best advan-
tage. and in each direction there was
considerable progress. Much attention /
was-also given during the year to mat
ters pertaining to the enlargement OF
the telephone service, and during that !
time the plans for the building of the |
new conduits in the northwestern sec
.tion of the city we're worked out They
"a 80 a nf ha .F IL,
enersting company and of the District
Electrical Engineer
The Engineer Department.
The Engineer Department as whole
has been extremely busy for the past
year. The surface work, which comes
tain Newcomer. has been pushed for
ward with energy in all parts OF the city
where appropriations were available and
where repairs or new construction was
needed. AS result the asphalt pave
ments have been considerably extended,
new sidewalks and curbs have been laid
down, and several hundreds OF trees
were planted. These improvements are
most visible in the northeast and the
northwest sections, where the greater
pOfllDN Ol the money was spent
Sewer work has gone on as rapidly as
the appropriations would allow, and
good progress was made. New water
mains were laid where sewers were
available. Bridge building on the Con-
necticut Avenue structure and on. Mas
sachusetts Avenue, across Rock Creek
las been going on through the year,
ond several small bridges notably one
across the stream In the Zoo Park. have
been completed during the year. The
extension cf Sixteenth Street also be-
longs TO the period under consideration.
In the Assessors Office.
In the Assessors Office the operation I
OF the new system Of keeping accounts
went into operation last year. resulting
IN material Swing of time and In the
OF a larger part of the taxes. !
There has been less duplication OF pay
laents. and the case with which the ma /
now runs is proof of the wis q
dom of the change. /,
Tho triennial assessment OF property =
Indcr the law was nearly completed I
Turing the fiscal year just closed. The
esults will not be ready for inspection
ntii some time In September. but It has
Ren unoficiaily announced that the In ,
cease OF the assessment Will be OF
lage proportions.
In The Stree. Cleaning flenart-nent a