Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-23
CONFERENCE TODAY
CONGRESS- FAILED TO GRANT RE
iTHt.h asp
QUEST OF THE COMMISSIONERS.
Satisfaction of Citizens Not Echoed a
the Municipal Building-Audi-
tor Garrison's View.

question OF paying for the work is
causing trouble. This is a matter
that has been agitating the District
Commissioners to an unusual extent
today. From the Peace Monument
to Executive avenue the snow and
ice have been removed from the paw
ing except in spots, the streets rim
ming into the avenue from north and
south have been cleaned to short
distance from the avenue, and tie
citizens of Washington have ex-
pressed their approval Of the pro
ceeding in highly complimentary
terms. The District officials, how
ever, are now confronted with the
problem of how to pay for the work.
According to the opinion of several Of
ficials who are considered well versed in the
effect of appropriation acts, the work OF
cleaning the avenue cannot be paid Tor
from the 5000 appropriation recently made
by Congress for cleaning "crosswalks and
CUTTERS From what source the money
will come is now a matter of speculation
Can the snow and ice on the avenue be
classed as dirt and it's removal paid for
from the regular street cleaning appro-
pration2 Can the limit of the cutters on
each side of the avenue be stretched to
the middle of the street so that the re-
cent appropriation might be used? Can the
emergency fund, .be drawn upon to pay for
the work? VIII the Inauguration committee
come to the aid of the District and put up
the funds for the cleaning? These ques-
tons the Commissioners have considered
in trying to solve the matter
Request of Congress.
The District Commissioners about two
weeks ago sant to congress the draft of a
bill approp riating 5000 for cleaning snow
and ice from the crosswalks and cutters
81, 800 of which was to be USED in cleaning
snow and fde FROM Pennsylvania avenue
along the route of the inaugural parade"
W hen the bill came out of Congress the
original bill was amended. All reference
to Pennsylvania avenue was struck out and
the appropriation was for cleaning cross
walks and gutters'n only.
AS soon as the bill passed the Senate
last Monday, and the authorities were red-
sonably certain of obtaining the 5000 ar
engagements were Immediately made by
Supt. Stdham of the street cleaning de-
partment, under direction of Commissioner
West. to proceed with. the work of clean
ing Pennsylvania avenue. Mr.. West was
ice bill had been passed by Congress in the
form in which it was sent up by the Com
missioners. az s.s-t..-
Acting under this belief he directed that
the force of snow and ice cleaners be
placed at work on the avenue Tuesday
morning. tii
The heavy work on the street, however
did not begin until yesterday morning,
VIXEN several teams and wagons and d
large force of men with picks and shovels
made rapid and successful attack on the
frozen material
Citizens and visitors stood on the side
walks and watched the work with feelings
of satisfaction, and in the heart of every
Washingtonian who viewed the attempt to
clean the principal thoroughfare of the
city highly complimentary feelings We're
entertained for the District officials respon-
sibIe for the cleaning. All agreed that 1t
was necessary and proper work
The cleaning was resumed again this
morning and by night the avenue will be
practically cleaned of snow and ice. from
the Peace monument to Executive avenue.
The printed copies of the snow and ice
bill passed early in the week were not re-
ceived at the District building until this
morning when the attention of Commits
sioner West was called to the fact that the
bill made no provision whatever for clean
ing Pennsylvania avenue. but provided only
for cleaning the crosswalks and cutters.
Mr.. West Surprised.
Mr.. West expressed surprise at the word
ing Of the act and suggested that the emer-
gency fund might be drawn upon for clean
ing the streets.
The controller has previously decided, 1t
| was pointed out, that the appropriation for
cleaning snow from crosswalks and cutters
cannot be used for cleaning snow from the
roadw ~ of streets.
Congress in the case In point specifically
refuses to appropriate any funds for clean
ing snow and ice from the roadway OF
Pennsylvania avenue. and this specific re-
fusal, it is believed will operate to prevent
the use of the emergency fund for this
work The snow and ice in the middle of
the street, 1t Is declared, cannot be classed
as dirt" and therefore the regular appro-
priation for street cleaning cannot be used
for the present purposes.
The District officials are in a quardary as
to what to do in the matter The officials
and citizens Of the District agree that he
avseue ought to have been cleaned. 1t Is
cleaned. That fact remains notwithStand-
| ing the trouble that attaches to the work.
and the people are pleased with the result
Of the efforts Of Commissioner West and
| Superintendent Stdham to place the prin-
| cipal thoroughfare In a decent and slightly
condition, not only for the visitors to The
| city, but for the people of Washington as
we'll who, it is considered. entitled to
a little bit of consideration, and who de-
sire to see the streets of their city resem-
BILE real streets instead Of a marsh
But the officials, while doing their dut,
by the people dilQ the municipality Will
| have to worry a while to devise some
means of paying for the cleaning.
1t has been suggested that in the event
there Is no other way out of the difficulty
that the inaugural committee might pay the
cost of cleaning the snow and ice from the
roadway OF. the avenue. since this work
would have to be done before the inaugural
parade. = ~
Late this. afternoon, after a conference
with Commissioner West, Auditor CARR
son said he believed the work could be
paid for out of the appropriation for
hand cleaning which is done by the Dis
trict and not under contract.
He will likely refer the question to the
controller OF the treasury for settlement
before passing on any vouchers.
Members of the House of Representatives
who have witnessed work going ON on the
avenue have made inquiries of the appro-
priations committee and have been told
that if the Commissioners think that this
work may be paid for out of that particu-
lar $1,000 appropriation they are very much
mistaken.
No information has reached the appro-
priations committee on the subject, but sew
eral of the members expressed themselves
emphatically today that not another cent
will be appropriated for cleaning the streets
of the city, and that IF the Commissioners
have gotten themselves into a bungle over
the matter they have only themselves to
blame"