Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-22
THE DISTRICT BUDGET
Appropriation Bill Not Re-
ported Today.
POLICE COURT ITEM
PLAN TO PUT THE COURT IN NEW
MUNICIPAL BUILDING.
Objections to This Scheme Cause .
Postponement in Committee
No District Day.
POLICE COURT ITEM

The House committee on appropriations
met this morning at IL o'clock for the con-
sideration of the District of Columbia ap-
preparation bill, as prepared by the sub
committee of which Representative Nc
Cleary Is chairman. 1t was expected the
bill would surely be reported In the House
today. but after an hour devoted to a lively
discussion OF some of the provisions of the
measure a decision to let the matter go
over until tomorrow was arrived at.
The hitch over the bill was on the recon-
mendation of the subcommittee to provide
in the new municipal building accommoda-
tons for the Police Court. In the hearings
before the subcommittee the District Com
missioners strongly urged that provision bs
made for a new Police Court building to be
erected on the present site.
1t occurred to the subcommittee that in
appropriating nearly $2,000.0o0 for a new
District building Congress was making
provision enough for the time being In
the matter of public buildings, outside of
schools and fire engine houses. Therefore
the scheme was evolved of placing the
Police Court in the District building. The
subcommittee sent for the plans of the
new structure as prepared by the archi-
tects and went over them with a view of
economizing the space allotted by the
Commissioners to the various municipal
offices. SO as to find room for the Police
Court.
Objections Raised.
When this proposed scheme was reached
in the full committee this morning some
lively opposition was aroused. The COM
mittee adjourned without finally agreeing
on the details of the measure. Certain
matters were left to the further considera-
tion of the subcommittee 1t is expected
that all differences W ha ad
morrow morning and the bill reported at
neon.
In addition to placing the Police Court in
the municipal building 1t was also pro-
posed by the subcommittee that the offices
Of the recorder of deeds and register OF
wills should be located in the structure.
These two latter offices are closely allied
with the local courts and It is urged that
to remove them to such a distance as the
site at 1874 street and Pennsylvania avenue
would be great Inconvenience to those
having business with the officials in charge.
The proposition to locate the Police Court
in the new building however, called forth
the lfveliest remarks in committee. 1t was
argued that if such action were taken the
costly new home of the municipal govern
ment of the capital of, the United States
would naturally became the lettering place
of all the disreputable characters that are
unavoidably associated with Police Court
sessions. In many cases to secure the con-
vfctlon of obnoxious persons II is necessary
to summon at witnesses the habitues of the
alleys and slums. These unsavory contif-
tions exist about every court of this char
aeter throughout the country. There is
absolutely no way of improving the per-
sonnet of the audiences and hangers-on al
ways to be found in and around such
places.
The Present Structure Condemned.
The present Police Court building has
been the subject of much condemnation.
1t is a dilapidated, overcrowded and insani-
tary structure. To properly accommodate
the two branches of the court. and to make
provision for the offices connected with the
court would require practically an entire
floor of the new municipal building. Al
ready the Commissioners feel they have
none too much room for present needs and
the allowance of space for increased force
and growth of departments during the next
several years
A Full Appropriation.
The appropriations committee, it is said,
has decided to make available the entire
amount necessary for the construction OF
the new municipal building. The compile
ton of this structure was one of the OBJ
jects of extraordinary expenditure called to
the attention of the committee by the Com
miSSionerS> The inclusion of the appropria-
ton in the forthcoming bill is taken as an
indication that the committee has agreed to
make some more liberal provision for fed
efai advances 10 meet the expense or the
numerous projects of permanent improve
ment now going forward.
District Day Postponed.
Today was District day in the House.
under the rule setting apart the second and
fourth Mondays in each month for the
OF local measures when claim
ed by the District committee. No member
of the committee claimed the time today
and no special reservation was made. There
will be no District day until March IA,
three weeks hence
Whatever there would have been of in
ttrest in local proceedings had District
matters been taken up destroyed by
the action of Representative Cowherd In
moving that House bill $500, amending the
personal tax laws of the District of Co
lumbia, be recommitted to the District
committee. There objection. 1t
was stated the committee desires to revise
its action in the matter of tax.n" Ssy-
hanlS a nd fai tir.ra..