Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-07

half of the cost of these extraordinary
gate $17.136 962. 80. or $S.56S, 4s1 as the
Districts half AS the estimated amount
that will be due from the District to the
national Treasury June 80 next on ac-
count of advances by the national Treas
ury is 81. 184. 262 AZ, 1t is apparent that
the District will have paid more than half
Of the amount Of the advances, and this
has been done by cutting the appropria-
tons for current expenditures. If the
amount required by the District on this
extraordinary account had not been paid
50 rapidly the municipal services could
have been greatly benefited by increased
appropriations for current expenditures.
including such items as the much-needed
increase In the police force. street and
road improvements. and cleaning, addi-
tional street and alley lighting, larger
force and increased facilities for the
health department., additional playground,
bathing and other similar necessary i'm
proyements. Congress, the supreme au-
thority. has absolute control in author
izing extraordinary projects of improve
ment Of their cost. The District of CO.
lumbia asks only that 1t shall be allowed
to pay its one-half in such way as
shall not interfere with its current needs.
while repayfng the Treasury at a rea-
sonable rate OF speed.
Opening of District Building.
The formal opening of the District gov
eminent building was celebrated. to-
gether with the 131st anniversary of the
Declaration of Independence on the
Fourth of July last by the citizens of the
District under the arrangements made by
a committee appointed by the Washing
ton Board of Trade and the Washington
Chamber Of Commerce. OF which John
Joy Edison was chairman. The exercises
were held on the steps Of the main en-
trance. and consisted of addresses by the
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
the Secretary of the Treasury, A. b.
Browne. representing the Washington
Board Of Trade, and Chaplin Brown, rep
resenting the Washington Chamber of
Commerce, and the president of the
of Columbia. Chairman John Joy Edison
presiding and making brief Introductory
remarks. The United States Marine Band
furnished the music. An American flag
presented by the Washington Chamber
Of Commerce was unfuried. to an ap-
propriate salute. In the evening a fine
display of fireworks was given by the
citizens committee. and Pennsylvania
avenue and the District government
building were illuminated. The occasion
progress of the District Of Columbia and
its government. especially under the pres
ent form OF government. and the achieve
ments since the centennial celebration of
the District Of Columbia in December
1900. 1t Is interesting to summarize the
chief examples OF physical and moral i'm
provement In the affairs of the District
Of Columbia during the period since the
centennial celebration:
Creation of Senate park commission 90
permanent memorial of centennial cele-
bration. and preparation of its plan for a
harmonious development Of the park sys-
tenn and the placing of public buildings.
New railway terminal. including aboli-
ton OF all grade crossings. removal of
the old railway stations. freeing Mall
from Pennsylvania railroad station and
tracks, and construction Of Union station.
Total cost estimated at $4,000. 600 United
States contributed $l,5OOOOO: United
States and District of Columbia com
btned, $15OO.O0O Estimated cost of street
alterations and grade damages PAYABLE
jointly by United States and District Of
Columbia. s2.5O000O. This work approach
ing completion.
New city sewers and sewage disposal
system. Expended, $5,124.52O Practically
completed.
Suburban sewers. Expended, $780,
633. g. f'
Filtration plant Cost s3.4ss 4o5. Com
pleted.
District government building. Cost,
81, 100000. Completed.
Highway bridge across the Potomac
river. Cost. s1.1e6.oOo: Completed
Connecticut avenue bridge across Rock
creek. Cost, $S34,OO0 Completed.
Massachusetts, avenue bridge across
Rock creek Cost. $237 900. Completed.
Anacostia bridge. Cost, 1915, 600. an
preaching completion.
Piney branch bridge Cost, 1885, 600
Half finished.
District Hospital. Site, approaches and
erection Of tuberculosis wards. Expend-
Extension of hieh-service water distr,-
button, paid entirely from the water rents
$2,674, 552.O5
Extension of 18th street. Expended
81 ,OO0, COO
Improvement Of Rock Creek Park. Ex-
pended. 100000.
Public Charities,
Board of charities organized and public
charitable system, including aid to pri
vate institutions. reorganized on modern
lines. Subsidies turned into specific pay
ment for specific services
Child-caring work of the board of chill
drens guardians extended and strength
ened. Today the board has I. 545 wards, of
whom !, 1913 have been adopted into homes:
147 are boarding in homes and 179 tenn
porarily in public or private institutions
Children, the first municipal institution
Of the kind in the country, successfully
established.
District Hospital started on a fine site
north of city, with the most up-to-date
tuberculous building in the country.
Home for the Aged removed to rural site
and reOrganized.
improvements in Different Forms of
Public Education.-Completio and opening
of the Carnegie District Of Columbia L.
brary building: enlargement and improve
ment of the public library: construction
Of white and colored manual training high
schools and extension of manual training
throughout the schools: construction of
Business High School; increase in the
school facilities: increase in the salaries
of teachers: enactment Of compulsory
education law: establishment Of munich
pal and public school Fairgrounds.
Social Legislation.-Authorin condem-
nation Of insanitary dwellings: widening
Of alleys into minor streets; child labor
law; Juvenile court and probation law;