Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-06

it should be supported wholly by the United
States but If 1t is to be a District institu-
ton, maintained in the District budget, it
should be managed by the District authorf-
ties.
In reference to chiId-caring work, the
board approves the plan set forth in the
special report made to Congress by the
Commissioners of the District of Columbia.
If the recommendations in this report were
carried into effect all child caring agencies
in the District of Columbia would be cor
ordinated. The work Of the Board of Chill
dren's Guardians is commended.
Especial emphasis is laid on the import
ance of the establishment of court for the
trial Of Juvenile offenders, which court
should be wholly separate and distinct from
the police court.
AS a necessary accompaniment to a we'll
organized and efficient juvenile court pro-
vision should be made for sufficient num-
Der Of well-qualifed probation officers.
Special attention has been given to the
subject of the equipment Of the various in
situations for protection against fire. and a
visit of inspection was made by repre-
sentative of the fire department, accompa-
MED by the secretary Of the Board of Char
tiles, to all institutions subject to the
boards supervision. A written report was
made in each case by the representative of
the fire department, and these reports were
forwarded to the authorities Of the various
institutions.
The board has diligently continued the
work of investigation of the cases Of ndi-
gent patients committed to the Government
Hospital for the Insane, to be maintained
at the expense of the District, and as the
result of the efforts of the board during the
year IS persons have been taken from this
list OF this number, 81 were nonresidents
of the District of Columbia and were re-
turned to their friends or the places of their
legal residence; were transferred from the
INDECENT to the pay list; and were United
States cases transferred to the soldiers or
sailors roll.
The contract has been let and the work
has commenced upon the municipal aims
house authorized by Congress last year.
The board regards the erection of this
almshouse, which makes 1t possible to re-
move the aged and inf1rm from association
with the criminal classes at the workhouse
and Jail, as one Of the most important steps
in the betterment of the condition of our
public charities, in recent years. The plans
provide for inexpensive structures, and the
buildings, with total capacity of about
26O inmates. will be completed within the
limit of cost fixed by law-S125 600. The
board recommends that certain small par
cells of land be acquired by the District to
become part of this almshouse tract. It
Is pointed out that these parcels Of land
are so located with reference to the Dis
tricts holdings as to interfere with the best
utilization of the land the District now
owns. An additional institution, the indus
trial home school for colored children, has
been authorized to be placed on this tract,
which was not contemplated at the time of
the original purchase, and the board be-
lieves that this institution, which is to be
one OF considerable size and of great i'm
portance, could be much more advantage
eouly located If the additional land in ques-
ton were secured. The Districts present
holdings comprise, approximately, 225 acres.
and the additional land which the board
recommends be acquired comprises ap-
proximately. "a acres.
Work Of the Auditors Office.
E1SaWhara IN 10 II.
financial statement Of the District, as COM
piled from the records of the auditors Of
flee. The work of this office has grown
apace with the development of the District
no less than 17.473 vouchers having been
examined, audited and approved during
the past fiscal year. an increase of 1,S48
over the previous year. The checks pre-
pared and countersigned in payment Of
these audits numbered 1857, an increase
of 3.S14 over those for the year 1903.
The accounts Of the ten justices of the
peace for the District for fees collected and
deposited, the records Of the police court
for fines and forfeitures. and the books and
records covering the miscellaneous receipts
of the District have been examined and
audited to the close OF the fiscal year 1904
The tax ledgers and the ledgers of the
water department showing receipts from
tied to January 1. 1904. The examination
Of these ledgers for the remainder of the
fiscal year is now III progress.
The results accomplished by the exami-
nation and audit of these books and rec
ords show the Importance of this work.
Such examination and audit would be
much more eff1caciouslff it could be kept
current instead Of, being at times six
months and more in arrears, but the FEAST
bility OF doing this. depends upon an in
crease IN the clerical force as the other
work OF the office Is OF such great volume
as to preclude the detifl of more than one .
clerk for that duty.
One OF the most important duties Of the
auditors of1ce is that connected with the
acquisition OF land by the District for pub
lie purposes through purchase and by con-
domination proceedings. This class Of work
has been greatly augmented during the
year on account of the relocation of streets
and elimination of grade crossings arising
from the construction of new union sta
ton Tor the steam railroads entering the
city, by the construction of the outfall
sewer and the increase in the number of
alleys opened, streets extended and sites
secured for public buildings.
improvements In Observation-Disclosures
prepared by the auditor of the District and
approved by the Commissioners, was enact
ed IN the fiscal year 1904. under which de-
posts made by individuals and corpora
lions covering the whole cost of work re-
quested by them In public space, hereto
fore deposited by the collector of taxes d.
rectiy % the Official credit OF the disbursing
omcer Of the Of the District with the Treas