Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-05
~ on Its books. The authorization Of ex-
traordinary improvements, the appropria-
tlon OF every dollar required for them, and
the custody and control Of the District rev.

the custody and control OF the DlStr1ct rev.
enues would continue under this plan ex-
clusively in the United States, which would
only be accommodating its partner. the Dis
trict of Columbia. by giving 1t time within
which to meet It's share of the extraor-
nary appropriat tons, instead of providing
done in every other municipality, in order
not TO compel the present to bear what the
future should share or to cripple Its ma-
nicipal services.
Congress having provided 70 permanent
AMI complete arrangement Of this sort, but
only temporary advances on a general ac-
count, combining extraordinary and current
expenditures by annual legisiat on, Wnich
expires on July / next, without provision
for the Districts share of extraordinary ex-
penditures in following fiscal years. the
Commissioners had to proceed on the theory
that such permanent and comprehensive
legislation. which they again earnestly rec
commended, would be enacted by the new
Congress. Although this. in their judgment,
Justified them in submitting estimates ex-
ceeding the probable appropriation fund,
they felt SO hampered by the unsettled con-
dltion of the Districts finances. and the
fact that distinction had not been estab-
lished on the United States Treasury books
between the two classes OF expenditures,
that they reduced the estimates for current
expenditures more than they would other
wise have done
Buildings for the public schools, addi-
tlonal fire department stations, and other
things needed by the District for the i'm
provement of Its municipal services and
their extension with the growth of popu-
lation and its spread over the territory out
side Of the city of Washington. which could
easily be provided II the Commissioners
plan OF settling the Districts finances was
adopted, had to be deferred, because the
Commissioners felt obliged to include items
aggregating $2,504,0 COO as estimates for ex-
municipal improvements. The
Commissioners reduced the estimates SUBJ
United to them through official channels by
IL COS, COO, Of which amount $91S,962 was in
the estimates for current expenditures Of
which they recommend SIS, S67, $40. 49, exclu-
sive Of the self-supporting water depart
ment.
It cannot be too emphatically stated that
the Districts revenues are not deficient,
but, on the contrary, are entirely sufficient
for all Its needs. II the cost of extra
ordinary improvements is treated as 1t is
treated by all other municipalities. The
District taxpayers are now contributing a
fair measure Of taxation, and are msrep-
resented by situation for which they are
not responsible and which makes them
seem unable to provide their share of nee
essary current expenditures, so that the es-
Inmates for the latter have to be reduced
by the Commissioners and are afterward re-
duced by Congress, under the attempt to
pay for extraordinary permanent improve
ments currently out of the revenues.
Bills Relating to the District.
The Commissioners during the last ses-
sion of the Fifty eighth Congress reported
upon bills and resolutions relating to the
District of Columbia referred to them for
report, according to custom, by the COM
nlittees Of the Senate and the House From
the Senate ninety-eight bills were referred
and from the House 104 bills were referred
to the Commissioners. There were also sub
mitted to the Senate and the House Com
mlssioners bills ard resolutions. The
President of the United States before act
Ing upon bills relating to the District of
Columbia which had passed both houses of
CONGRESS rererred them to the Commission
ers, according to custom, for their remarks.
and they reported favorably upon all bills
SO referred.
COMMITTEE on Business Methods.
The Commissioners have given careful
attention to the report of the committee
appointed by them on August IL, 1903 to
examine all the departments of the govern
ment Of the District of Columbia with a
view of suggesting improvements In their
method Of doing business. This report gave
a comprehensive and detailed account. the
first Of It's kind Of the actual business meth
DDS of the departments together with de-
tailed recommendations for changes some
requiring legislation and others subject to
Those recommendations to which no oh
Jections were raised were adopted by the
Commissioners. and a number of changes
have already been made by legislation or
the order OF the Commissioners. The objec-
tons raised by different departments to
other recommendations were referred to the
committee, which has submitted a supple
mental report, now under consideration by
The Commissioners, who will decide what
other changes should be made. The NAM
bers of the committee deserve praise FOR
their diligent labors, carried on frequently
at night and on holidays, so as not to
cause neglect Of their regular duties.
Civil Service.
The Commissioners will resubnoit tn Com
gress bill to provide a civil service law
for the District of Columbia, which, under
the uniform decisions of the Supreme
Court of the United State, Is a municins,
corporation not q part of the National Cow
and therefore not entitled to the
benefits of United States civil service law
merit system of appointments and nro
motions, with removals only for cause and
never Tor political reasons, has been main
tanned by the Commissioners and tbrol,oy,
the courtesy of the United Ststes CiSiI
Service Commission applicants for annoi,f
ment to the police and fire Departments
and to certain technical offices have been
examined by that commission: hut nar-
manent civil service system should he &c
tablished by law, in order that the DistrIct
or Columbia may be placed on an eouautv
In this respect with the Departments of the
National Government and the larger mn.
inequalities of the country
Change of Inauguration Day.
The national committee on the nronosed
change or lnauguratio day. appointed by
the Commissioners and composed of If
teen residents Of the District and fortv-
four governors of States and Territories
met at the District building on November
2S, 1903, and upon consideration NJ the
views or those present and absent-the lat
ter communicating In writing-datern,,,a>
10 continue TO advocate the change of in
auguration day from the 4th OF Narct 70
the last Thurday In April. the dav ,.-,e ~
in the resolution prepared by the iata Sanss
tor Hoar. Of Massachusetts. and 800
passed by the Senate In order th. ~
ceremony OF Inauguration of President go
vice President. which draws Larger ~,'-.s
bers OF people to the national can,ta, 49,
any other event, may occur at a Tina ,,,i,a,i
the weather. and especially tha tar,rara
ture, may be more favorable IN baaJtL 80
that of the 18th of March. as show, -, man IA
RECORDS OF the weather Bureau for n,anr,
years past, the proposed change sSn,, many
made. siouio De
Representation at the Militarv ao.a
envy.
1t is hoped that Congress W.. s,.oro,o =,
recommendation which the Commiss,onars
renew, that the District should he CO.,