The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-12-06
MANY Needed Recommendations Made to
the President and Congress-Civil
Service Law Wanted
JUVENILE COURT is FAVORED.
MORE MONEY FOR TEACHERS
Millions Required for Improvements Now II
Progress-Would Have Charitable In
stitutions Under Local Control.

the latter ana also the sole power of APP
preparation and of authorizing eNTaor-
binary projects Of improvement so that
nothing could be done without its action.
These advances were to be repaid within
a reasonable period of years and with IN
terest.
Immediate Action Needed.
It was estimated by the Commissioners
that not more than S10.OO0O0O would have
20 be advanced on this account for all
projects authorized or likely 10 be au-
thorized by Congress. Congress. accept
ing the principle in part. made tenn
porary provision in the acts of Febru-
airy II, 1901, July /, 1902. March 8. 1903,
and April q, 1904. for advances from
the Treasury, to meet any deficiency in
the District revenues, on a general ae-
count mixing both extraordinary and
current expenditures, and without sep
arate provision for the extraordinary
/ improvements which alone are respOn-
sible for a deficiency in the District
revenues. As this legislation expires the
LIST OF July next there is no provision
for the Districts share of the eXtraOT-
binary expenditures OF the next fiscal
year nor the following fiscal years.
Therefore. IL is 10 be presumed that
| Congress at the coming session will con-
slider the matter, and II Is hoped that
IL will then make a permanent arrange
ment upon the plan suggested by the
Commissioners. e...
Il was only this hope which justified
the Commissioners, IN the face of the
| facts respecting the Districts finances,
| in recommending appropriations amount
ing TO Sl2,4lS. 1866. on account OF extra
ordinary and current expenditures re-
| garded by them as absolutely necessary
/ for the next fiscal year. Even with this
| hope they did not feel justified in re-
Nlnfr ifVna .grNr
| have been recommended under the head
/ Of current expenditures. but reduced the
estimates submitted 10 them by nearly
/ Sl,eO0,O0O, IN View Of the peculiar situa-
/ ton OF the District finances.
No Question of Current Expenses.
The triennial reassessment OF real es-
tate and the new personal taN aud IL
cense law have increased taxa ton as
far as is at present justihable. the es-
timated revenues OF the District, exclu-
sive OF the water department, being
$. so. 325 for the next fiscal year. There
/ is no question that these revenues are
ample for ali the needs of the District
| II IL is not compelled to pay its share
OF the extraordinary appropriations cur
Tently.
81 Ask Civil Service.
! The Commissioners renew their rec
/ ommendation that Congress enact a
! civil service law for the District gov
eminent The Commissioners have main
tained merit system OF appointment
and promotion, and through the cour-
/ tesy OF the United States Civil Service
/ Commission have established eXamipa-
TONS for admission 10 the Police and Fire
Departments, and in special instances
examinations for admission 70 other de-
"a ~ 1g4FTFE faFHH NaaE
the establishment Of a permanent civil
service system by law which would
place the District Of Columbia on an
equality with the departments Of the
Nauonal Government In this respect.
Substitute Commissioner.
The Commissioners call attention once
more 20 the absence OF any provision
Tor a substitute TO act for either OF the
civil Commissioners in case OF disability
or pending a vacancy. There are two
assistants to the Engineer Commits
sioner (and a third might be detailed
under the law, either Of whom NAV
act as Commissioner in the absence OF
the Engineer Commissioner while there
Is no one TO take the place Of an alb
sent civil Commissioner, and II both
the civil Commissioners should be uu-
able to act there would be q serious In.
terruption IN the operation OF the Dis
trict government. since a majority OF
the board is required for the transaction
| OF business. Therefore the Commits
[ s!Oners have recommended that the Of
fee OF the Secretary OF the District Of
Columbia be re-esta blished, with power
in its incumbent 10 act temporarily Ia
the place Of either OF the civil Commits
sioners IN case Of disability or death.
The Commissioners also recommend
that the law be amended so as TO pro-
vide that contracts for construction
work, like all other contracts, shall be
valid when signed by majority OF the
Board OF Commissioners. instead Of re-
curing. as at present, the signatures OF
all three OF the Commissioners.
The Public Schools.
The public schools. the most impor-
tant interest of the District of COlum-
bia, requiring the largest amount in the
annual appropriations. have done good
work during the past year But more
buildings and other facilities and better
salaries for the underpaid teachers are
greatly needed and earnestly recon-
mended. The Commissioners regret thai
they did not feel at liberty 70 recon-
mend all that might properly be ap-
propriated for the schools under ths
head OF current expenditures. They
have, however recommended the esti-
/ mates OF the Board OF Education fOi
the most pressing needs of the schools
ana they especially call attention tC
the estimates for the continuation oI
the Business High School. for the eX
tension Of the Mckinley Manual Train
. ing School. for the purchase OF a site Tor
an extension of the Armstrong Manua
s Training School. and for the increase oI
the pay or the teachers.
The Commissioners are considering thu
p draft OF a substitute prepared by IN,
Board OF Education for the present IN
effective compulsory education law
School Attendance.
The entire enrolment for the year wa
- .7S9 an increase or ! ,0H or 2l4 per cen
over the preceding year The who'll
. number OF teachers provided I'm the ap,
r Precipitation act was ] AZ, 965 white an,