The Washington herald., 1909-02-05


tally Says Government II Model.
Judging from the treatment accorded
the District appropriation bill in the
Senate yesterday, the increase Of more
than 100000 inserted by the committee
viii practically remain intact.
Despite the onslaughts Of the Demo-
Gratis 10 Kill time and thus aid their
hlibuster. the budget Jared we'll ana al
though the entire measure had not been
completed when adjournment was taken,
It is expected the bill viii pass to-day.
Time and again Senator GaIlinger. n
charge Of the BIZ, was called on BY some
Democratic member 10 explain the rea-
son for q certain increased item, and
although no material change resulted,
three hours were consumed IN discussion
Much Time Consumed.
So dilatory were the tactics employed
By the soutbernsrs that Senator Hale
arose shortly after the bin was taken uD
and humorously expressed surprise al the
progress with which the bin was being
passed.
The only material change made was the
elimination OF the amendment giving
81, 900 for schOoI-teachers' longevity pay.
This change was caused by Senator Bur
kett, who raised a point OF order. claim
ing that the amendment inserted BY the
Senate committee was general legisla-
ton
By a unanimous vote the item incress-
Ing the appropriation for Fairgrounds
from I.5o0 to $1,000 was passed In addi-
ton TO this. the Senate adopted that
amendment giving $500 for improvement
and equipment OF the Georgetown play
ground.
The sum OF s.. 100 was Appropriated for
equipping and improving six additional
Fairgrounds 10 be operated in connection
with the public schools.
Inasmuch as the House opposed such
items. it is expected the senate coz
ferees viii encounter difficulty IN retain
ing these items in the bill when the mat
ter goes into conference.
As Senator Galliuger remarked, never
IN the history OF the Se~ate has such
interest been shown in q District appro-
2riation bill. Objections were made and
alarming warnings were sounded about
extravagance. but these were successfully
explained away and assurances given that
Washington would be generously treated
by the upper branch OF Congress
CommfSsionerS' Raise Remains.
Beginning with the subject Of the in
creased salaries Tor the Commissioners.
Senator Culberson desired an explanation
for the change. Mr. Gauinger replied
that the Commissioners we're hard-woIk-
ing officials. and in tie opinion OF his
committee deserved the raise. This item
passed successfully
Before concluding the consideration OF
the executive Office estimates. Mr.. Gal
iinSer proposed an amendment whereby
two child labor inspectors were added
10 the District rolls at salaries Of S,Soo
each.
Every amendment carrying an increased
salary OF additional Official IN the District
Building. was passed, carrying in ali
an appropriation OF S2S. so for this branch
Of the District government
Senator Gary, OF South Carolina, cues
toned ths advisability OF adopting the
amendment providing Tor municipal
architect ar a salary Of S,s19. Senator
.GaIIinger explained that such an Official
was recommended by the Commissioners
and he ADDED that this item would re
Heve the building inspectors Office OF
much additional duty and labor now
incumbent
A vote on the motion 10 strike out
the amendment resulted fl favor Of the
committee.
The amendments proposing TO Teclassify
old District records. to repair buildings
owned by the District and injured by FIRE,
and 20 install steel file cases in the ONCE
OF the register OF wills, carrying an ap-
preparation OF $1,000 IN all, were passed
with --,sle opposition.
Elimination og Grade Crossings.
The items providing FOR elimination Of
grade crossings, and for improving and
repairing streets, roads. sewers. and
bridges were also adopted. The total sp-
preparation being ssSi.5O0
These provisions mean that hundreds
Of highways in the District viii be wild
ened, extended. and generally improved
during the coming year.
An appropriation Of $500 was made
for cleaning snow and ice from the
streets. the amendment authorizing the
purchase OF the necessary implements 10
successfully carry on the work.
Three hundred and twsnty-four thou
sand dollars was given for sweeping and
cleaning the streets. This amount ex-
ceeds the appropriation given by the
House by $4,000.
To improve the bathing beach and TO
provide necessary accommodations for
the bathers the sum OF $3.50 was given.
-Four new public convenience stations
are provided for, to be erected and con-
trolled by the Commissioners. This item
carries an appropriation OF SS7.e00.
In the electrical department the new
Office Of electrical engineer is created, at
a salary Of s2.o0O a year.
Gas Question Aired.
It was during the discussion Of this
phase Of the appropriation that the gas
question was touched upon by the Sena-
tors. The item setting forth that SIS a
year should be paid for each gas lamp
attracted the attention Of Senator Clay.
who asked If the gas bin now under
consideration by Congress would affect
the appropriation
SeualoI OaliAueeI SAID II W0uiQ. and
that the matter would be attended 10 in
conference with members Of the House.
We hope 70 have this legislation fixing
the price Of gas settled before the end
Of the month" said he. The Senate Dis
trict Committee is now taking I'D this
matter OF reducing the price OF the prod
uct in goOd faith. If the price OF gas is
lowered, the appropriation for District
gas fan1pS viii be governed accorg7frsvi.-
For the care ana Improvement OF the
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