Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-03
The District in Congress.

When Congress resumes work next Mon
day II will find an unusually small list OF
District bills awaiting action. Apart from
the annual budget, the calendar of local
measures and projects awaiting action is
exceptionally clear. There is, indeed but
one separate bill now pending which repre-
sents Il specific demand by the citizens, and
that is the one proposing certain amend
ments to the law regulating the emission
of smoke from the chimneys of business
establishments in the District That action
on this bill is urgently needed. in the
interest of the District government as we'll
as that of the citizens, is shown by the
current controversy between the Commits
sioners and the officials of the Treasury
Department Nothing could more clearly
demonstrate that the law as it stands is
unsatisfactory, and either impracticably
vague impractiCaby specific in its re-
quirements according as 1t is administered.
Ii is the earnest hope of the business men
of the city. who have done their utmost to
comply with the spirit of the law and re-
duce the smoke nuisance to a minimum
that affirmative action may be taken at
this session upon the pending measure.
There is. of course, always pending the
matter of the Districts finances. the adj
jusrment of which to meet the existing cir
cumstances is required to the end of an
equitable placing of the capitals indebted
ness. 1t is assured that the appropriations
this session will add to the debit against
the District in the form of advances from
the treasury. Thus from year to year.
during the present period of constructing
permanent works, there is a steady ac-
emulation of obligations which must later
be discharged by the local taxpayers. The
Commissioners have urged that the method
of financing this debt should be established
now in specific terms, leaving nothing to
chance or the whims of future Congresses.
They and the whole body of citizens ask
that the cost of constructing public build
ings, sewers and bridges and aiding the
railroads in creating a monumental ter
minal station be placed on the same footing
as are similar expenses in other cities and
In all great business enterprises. If this
adjustment is not perfected now 1t must be
later. The sooner 1T is effected the sooner
will the Districts affairs be put upon a
business basis, with a proper division of
the revenues between the current expenses
and the provisions for the future liquidation
of the debt.
The appropriations should this year be in
sufficiently liberal terms to enable the
various projects now under way An in
crease in the total cost of the municipal
building is first on the list. If not granted
the District will have a second-cIass build
ing, seriously rejecting upon it in the
future. The Commissioners ask for liberal
Increases for the teachers. the policemen
and the firemen. the three classes of public
servants who are today undeniably under
paid and overH orked. They have also
asked for increases in other branches of the
municipal service, to bring the forces and
the pay scales up to the present require
ments of great city.
In view of the manner in which the cur
rent District appropriation bill was framed
1t Is not to be doubted that the committees
will deal equally literally this year. New
legislative measures will of course be pre-
sented. and some old ones will be pressed
for action. OF paramount Importance at
this particular season is the program of the
required legislation incidental to the in
auguration of the President.