The Washington times., 1903-01-20
DISTRICT APPR0P RATION
BILL UP IN HOUSE
Measure Provides Funds tor
Local Needs.

Work on the District appropriation bill
was resumed in the House today imme-
diately after the roll call
Work on The measure began Yesterday
afternoon. shortly after the passage OF
the diplomatic and consular appropria-
ton bill Mr.. McCreary. chairman of
the subcommittee that had prepared the
measure. made a preliminary statement
supporting it, Mr. Benton Of Missouri,
a minority member of the subcommittee.
also spoke IN its support
It was then agreed by the House. sit
ting as the Committee of the Whole,
that the reading of the bill should be-
gin with the understanding that two
hours today should be devoted to gen
eraI debate
Mr.. McCreary in his opening state
menL said the committee had oudeaE or
ed to give the District such appropria-
tons as it actually needed, but had
not allowed anything for purely OTna-
mental purposes He carefully detailed
the items on which it had been found
possible to retrench. having in this way
saved money for street extensions, ad-
ditions TO the police force, teaching
force in the public schools. the sewage
disposal system. and the filtration plant
Mr. Benton said he considered the bin
the best that had ever been prepared
for the District. All allowance had been
made 10 carry on the District gov
eminent and all the "frills7 cut cut
While the bill was being read Tor
amendment Nr. Hepburn OF Iowa M
quired somewhat sarcastically concern
ing the appropriations for maintaining
the new Carnegie library. His questions
were launched with q view Of bringing
out the exact cost TO District taxpayers
o. keeping mp the institution de made
10 attempt 10 amend the Dill, but said
he merely wanted 10 know how much
Of blessing the people are to c-e5i,
10 Mr. Carnegie"
After Two minor amendments had beer
accepted the committee arose and the
House adjourned.
Disgust is the word which best desIg
mates the feeling at the District Build
ing over the appropriation bill reported
20 the House by the Committee on Ap-
preparations. There are parts OF It whicI
would be Iudierous If the situation pre-
scented. provided the bill should pas.
both houses in the form in which j.
comes from the committee, were no
alarming.
In general terms the appropriation
would be cut down nearly 81, 000. COO IRON
those made for the current year. an,
members Of the District Government ss7
that the reduction in various items show
as little wisdom as could well be mani
tested by any body Of intelligent men.
For example, the bin provides 81, SO
for the care and maintenance of Roe
Greek Park. The Commissioners recon
mended 100000 in their estimates. ant
presented good reasons for the appro
pristion Of that amount. Rock Cree
Park is a tract OF several thousau.
acres It has been beautlfed by tn
construction O. costly roads, and By m
building Of bridges. There are nor
than 200 miles OF roadway in the park
and an official of the surface divisio
said today that Jha s., 800 recommends
in the bill would not pay for spri1klin
The dusty thoroug hfares. EEe said frrtne
that the spring freshet would. in al
probability, cause damage that could no
be repaired fer the amount named.
AS reported, the bill carries $50 900 f9
work on streets and avenuas. Tai
means the new paving TO be laid accord
ing 10 the street schedule prepared b-
the Commissioners. tt is anp0rtIouea
5000 10 Georgetown. SIS 600 10 th
northwest section. $500 for The south
west section, $4,000 for the southeas
section, and SO. coo for the northeast sec
ton. For the current year the amour
appropriated for this purpose was S150.
COO
It is further stipulated ia the bill tina
the contracts for paving with aspbal
shall not exceed in price $40 O squar
yard This year it is $50. aa5 it j
said b. the officials Of the surface dl
vision that the reduction win uecez
gariIy entail cheaper cement base 10
these streets. and that the price Of cz
Inent has Increased about - per cen
since the framing Of the approprl alio
bill a year ago When laid, II is DE
eIared The asphalt pavement VIII be-
2 quality which cannot last. and Hi
nelessitate large expense IN TIE 5utur
for repairs.