Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-02

nual amounts ascertained to be due for
water rents, and that the bills therefor be
delivered to the collector, to be held and
preserved by him until the same are paid,
proper notifications being delivered to or
left with occupants of premises from whom
water rents are due, and that bills for an
nual taxes on real estate be delivered to the
collector Of taxes for collection, and be held
accountable for the same, proper notifica-
tions being sent to taxpayers advising them
as to the amount and character of taxes
due.
Regarding Disbursements.
The committee recommends that the dis
bursements for the various charitable and
reformatory institutions in the District
which are in whole or in part supported by
public appropriations be made by the dis
bursting officer Of the District. At present.
1t is mentioned, the disbursements are made
by various officers, and the change sug-
gested Is considered as one of Importance
and also as desirable.
The report suggests that every officer and
employee in the District government who
has custody of any trust fund or funds
which are not regularly deposited in the
United States treasury and subject to audit
make quarterly reports to the Commission
ers. The committee further recommends
that all officers receiving fees and other
revenues shall deposit the same weekly
with the collector of taxes. number of
minor recommendations are made with ref
erence to the details of drawing and exc
cuylon of contracts, and the committee
recommends that bonds to the District Of
Columbia, with individual sureties thereon,
he not accepted unless such sureties are
residents of the District and each owns in
mis- own right real estate located in the Dis
tr,ct, the value of which over and above
all membranes and liens thereon, is at
least double the amount of the bond re-
quired.
General Appropriation Suggested.
1t is also suggested in the general recon-
mendations that an effort be made by the
Commissioners to secure a general appro-
priation for the purchase of stationery and
office supplies for the use of the various
departments, offices and institutions under
the District government, other than the
public schools.
That the records of the Washington Asy-
lum, the Industrial Home School, the mu-
nicipal lodging house and the temporary
home for ex-UniOn soldiers and sailors be
kept in such manner as to show at stated
intervals the cost of maintenance per day
per inmate, and the cost of food supplies
per day per person fed at the expense of
the institution. That the Secretary of the
Interior be requested to cause the records
of Freedmen's Hospital and Asylum to be
kept in the manner above described.
Following the general recommendations,
the report takes up each office in the Dis
trict service, and makes special recon-
mendations with respect to each office.
The committee suggests that copy of all
District regulations be kept in the Office of
the secretary of the board of Commission
ers; that all orders of the Commissioners
be kept there, and that at proper intervals
they be codified and indexed.
Record by Corporation Counsel.
With reference to the office of the corpo-
ration counsel, the committee recommends
that that official keep record of each
case and legal opinion; that the assistant
at the Police Court be authorized to admin
lister oaths: that before the issue of an in
formation in any case the merits of such
case be passed upon by one of the assist
ants to the corporation counsel.
The recommendation relating to the
property clerks office has to do with the
matter of acquisitions. In regard to the
assessors Office the committee suggests
that the field books of the assistant asses
sors be certified to, and that entries be
made in the books in ink instead of in PEN
ell. Various other minor changes are rec
commended with reference to the detailed
business methods of tax boards.
The committee recommends that some
definite plan OF corporation be established
between the revenue and inspection branch
Of the water department and the police de-
partment whereby the turning on of water
by unauthorized persons may be prevented,
and that the present practice of charging a
fee of 81 for turning on water at premises
which have been vacated by a delinquent
water taker De ulScOntlnueu
The Collectors Office.
With reference to the Office of the COL
lector Of taxes the committee makes The
followinA >recommendatio That the, dep
uty collector be authorized to act for the
collector during the latter's ABSENCE that
the system presented by the Commission
ers' order Of October 80. 1888. be restored,
whereby a representative of the auditor S
office stationed in the collectors office
stamped all receipted bills after payment
20 the collector: that all deposits made by
bidders to guarantee the execution of a
contract be duly entered in q proper book
account kept for that purpose; that the
collector require bonds from the employees
in his Office engaged In collecting personal
/ taxes by direct demands
| Among the recommendations for improve
ments in the auditors Office Is the follow
ing: That the audit of the books of the
office of the assessor. of the office of he
water registrar and of such other Offices as
prepare and issue bills with auditors cou-
] pous attached authorizing the collector OF