Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-05


to go as rapidly as should be, and many
streets, with houses along each side, are
either entirely unpaved or paved with I'M
satisfactory, insanitary pavements
Opening Alleys.
The appropriation made In the present ap-
preparation bill Of $4,000 for the opening
Of alleys is declared to be of no practical
use. The Commissioners asked last year
for an appropriation of 100000. which
amount it is believed is necessary to inn
prove the unhealthy conditions existing In
a number Of blind alleys. 1t has been found
that there are alleys Of this character lead
Ing Into blocks located near the British
embassy, the Church Of the Covenant and
In other portions of the city. These alleys
are thickly populated by colored people. liv-
Ing In old and insanitary buildings, and
the situation Is serious menace to public
health The Commissioners desire to open
these alleys through the blocks, forming
minor streets, so that they can be cleaned
and kept In healthy condition
The President has referred to the condi-
ton Of these alleys in his messages to Con-
gress, in his message of December 3, 1901,
as follows:
For the District of Columbia a good fac
tory law should be passed; and, as power
full indirect aid to such laws, provision
should be made to turn the inhabited alleys,
the existence of which is a reproach to our
capital city, into minor streets, where the
thiooiediilo Gail i've uTueT COQQlIlOuS IdVOI-
able to health and morals
AGAIN IN his message OF December 2,
l9O2, the. District of Columbia is the only
part OF our territory in which the national
government exercises local or municipal
functions, and where in consequence the
government has free hand in reference to
certain types Of social and economic legis-
lation which must be essentially local or
municipal IN their character The govern
ment should see to it, for instance, that the
nysnenfc and sanitary legislation affecting
washington is Of high character. The
evils or slum dwellings, whether in the
shape OF crowded and congested tenement
house districts or Of the back-alley type,
should never be permitted to grow UP in
washington. The city should be a model
In every respect for all the cities Of the
country. The charitable and correctional
systems Of the District should receive con-
slderation at the hands Of the Congress to
the end that they may ernbody the results
fields.
Construction Of County Roads.
On the subject of county roads the re-
necessary for the development of the Dis
trict and indicate the necessity for an in
creased appropriation
Inc $oo,OOO allowed is not sufficient to
Keep the country roads in good condition,
as may be seen by travelling on them during
the winter and spring.
Connecticut Avenue Bridge.
This was authorized by Congress in the
fiscal year 1899, $4,000 being appropriated,
and the foundations Of the piers have been
built. When built 1t will make a much
shorter connection between Connecticut
avenue on two sides of the creek, and adds
toward the development, of all the property
IN the vicinity. Through failure to appro-
pirate money to go ahead with the con-
struction. the money already spent proves
of no benefit to the District.
demonstrating Anacostia Bridge.
This bridge is unsuitable, unattractive
inconvenient and too narrow, and, besides,
Is under undue strain on account of the
street railway crossing it. If a new bridge
is not authorized an extra appropriation of
5000 is needed for repairs. In its present
condition the bridge Is believed unsafe by
the Commissioners who also state that its
reconstruction is very urgent and impor-
tant -
Arizona Avenue Sewer.
This sewer is intended for the sewerage
Of Tenleytown and other subdivisions along
Its course. The total amount of land to be
drained is 1.09s acres. and the population to
be served is at the present time about 1,6OO
but it is in section Of the District which is
filling up rapidly, and in which there are a
number of educational Institutions.
The sewer will be about three miles in
length when completed, and cost, about
100000. Practically one-third has been
constructed. but In Its present unfinished
condition 1t Is of no service for the pur-
pose intended.
Parking Commission.
This item is to take care Of the trees and
such small parks and parking as are under
the Jurisdiction Of the Commissioners. 1t
is impossible, with the amount usually al
lotted, to extend the trees Of Washington
as fast as houses are built and to keep ex-
listing trees in proper condition. They are
not sufficiently trimmed nor sufficiently
taken care of, but 1t Is impossible to do
better with the funds allotted. An appro-
priation has been made for many years
under the head of parking commission
but 1t has no connection with the Senate
park commission for the identification Of
the city of Washington.
Additional Employees, Inspector Of
Buildings.
The additional employees asked for in the
building department are, in the opinion Of
the commissioners, necessary to properly
carry out the intention Of Congress with
reference to the department, whose bust
ness 1t Is, besides building District struc-
lures, to calculate the safety Of all struc-
lures erected within the District and to in
spect them often enough while being erected
to see that the general"rules of safety are
carried out. This it is impossible to do adj
equately with the present force, causing at
times delays and inconvenience to builders
and property owners.
Street Cleaning Department.
The appropriation for the present year is
100000. The Commissioners asked for an
increase Of $4,000, making $2O5,OOO in all,
this increase Of $4,000 being necessary to
meet the demands of the street cleaning de-
partment which increase with the growth
of the city. During the fiscal year ended
June 1902, there were added to the sched-
ules about 100000 square yards Of newly
paved streets and 10000 square yards of
alleys, together with an unusual increase in
the area Of newly graded unpayed streets.
A corresponding area is being added during
the current year, making the growth of
the city in this respect nearly per cent
yearly This $4,000 Isl absolutely essential
in order to keep clean these new streets, in
addition to which it is expected that the
contract existing this year cannot be re-
newed at the same favorable rates, the con-
tractor having already served notice on the
Commissioners that the Increased cost of
horses, forage and materials generally will
compel an increase in the amount of the
contract.
Collection of Ashes From Business