Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-09
STREET CLEANING FUND
SUPERINTENDENT OF DEPART
MENT FACED PROBLEM.
Money for Clearing Cutters and
Crossings of Snow Sufficient
for One Day Only.

with the coming of daylight this morning
the street cleaning department raced Jus
most serious problem of the winter. Snow
and slush to the depth of several inches
covered most of the crosswalks and gut
tiers In the city, and the balance of the APP
priation available to have the necessary
cleaning done was only 1898. Superintendent
J. T. Twohey of the street cleaning depart
ment said that this would suffice for not
more than one days work.
As usual, Congress last year provided in
the annual appropriations for the fiscal
year the sum of 5000 for the purpose of
removing snow and Ice from crosswalks
and cutters. and all of this, except the bal
ance stated was expended before the end
of December. The Commissioners many
times asked for an appropriation of $4,000,
and appeals were forwarded to Congress at
least twice during the present session for
more money for this purpose. Each time,
however, no action was taken, and now the
snow Is here and there is no means of dis
posing of it. Early this morning as many
men as were available were set to work
along Pennsylvania avenue and the cross
walks were kept in fairly passable condi-
ton. but along F street and other business
thoroughfaFes, as well most of the res
idence streets, pedestrians were forced to
wade through slush and water as best they
could. Should another snow storn: occur
this winter, and Congress take no action in
nient would be powerless.
Mr.. Vests Comment.
In commenting on the matter this morn
ing Commissioner West said:
ION the 10th of December the Commits
sioners addressed to both Senate and House
committees on appropriations a commune
cation transmitting joint resolution pro-
viding for an appropriation of 50, 600 for the
removal of snow and Ice from the cross
walks and cutters and asking its imme-
date enactment. No action having been
taken upon this communication, the Com
missioners. on the sth of January, adj
dressed another letter to the chairmen of
the two committees, inviting attention to
the fact that the appropriation of 5000 had
been requested nearly three weeks pre-
viously. In this second letter the Commits
sioners said that of the former appropria-
ton there remained only amount Suffi-
Client for one days work. In view of the
threa tening aspect of the weather at pres
ent,' this last letter read, and of the con-
slant probability of a fall of snow at this
season of the year, the Commissioners deem
il their duty to suggest the Importance of
early action upon their recommendation
This morning there was only 1888 remain
ing of the appropriation Two hundred men
were at once put TO work cleaning the
crosswalks in the Misunderstanding sections
of the city, a force which exhausted the
appropriation in one days work. The APP
preparation of 5000 is contained in the
urgent deficiency bill which Senator Hale
yesterday stated would be considered by
the Senate today. The Commissioners,
some years ago made practice of asking
an appropriation of $4,000 for the removal
of snow and ice. but inasmuch as this
amount was persistently cut to 5000 the
recent requests of the Commissioners have
been in the latter amount"
From Mr.. Vests statement II will be
seen that the city was allowed to go
through the holidays. when Congress was
not in session, with only bare 1898 availa-
BILE for cleaning away snow. There was no
money appropriated for clearing away
snow at any time during the winter from
the streets at any other places than cross
walks and cutters.