Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-02-27
MI. Macfarland's Comment.

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for other needed improvements.
MI. Macfarland's Comment.
1T is gratifying" said Commissioner
mcfarland, Ito have so much OF what the
Commissioners recommended appropriated,
although. so far as District revenues are
concerned, the whole amount of our esti-
mates might have been allowed, as the
commissioners asked.
The decrease in national revenues PROB
ably affected the appropriations. Still, be-
sides the regular appropriations many
things specially urged in our conferences
with the committees were provided. The
Districts progress will be helped by this
appropriation bill
Some appropriations are especially
pleasing. notably SO much as was given for
public schools, including that for the
normal school building and the erection
of other buildings, and the increase of the
fire protection in existing buildings and
the appropriation for the outdoor schools
called Fairgrounds
THE adoption Of our recommendation
for municipal architect will improve the
District service as to the construction and
repair of all municipal buildings and re-
leve the building inspector of such duties.
so that he will he better able to attend
TO inspection work.
Reformatory and Workhouse.
The authorization of the provision for
Ieformatory and wcrkhouse recon-
mended by the penal commission and h1
the Commissioners will make great i'm
provement The enactment of the Com
missioners' recommendation for the re-
peal of section of the act of 1896 will
prevent the imitation of the gas stock.
Il must regret the provision in the bill
that the Commissioners shall not in their
estimates recommend for all purposes
extraordinary as we'll as current more
than twice the amount of the District
revenues. That will prevent us from
laying before Congress in the estimates
all the needs of the District
THE principle of recommending both
extraordinary and current estimates and
asking Congress to distinguish between
the two classes of appropriations, which
has been maintained by the Commission
ers. the Board of Trade. the Chamber of
Commerce and all our civic organizations
ought still to be presented to Congress
as the only method of so dealing with our
appropriations as not to defer eX-
traordnary Improvements or cripple cur
rent expenditures.
West Pleased With Increase
Commissioner West was pleased with
new provisions for the departments under
his supervision.
The appropriation bill as agreed to in
conference" said Commissioner West.
carries in round numbers 100000 more
for the next fiscal year than is provided
in the appropriation bill for the current
year. 1t represents vast amount OF la
Dor on the part of the members of the
Senate and House committee and upon
the whole is a better bill than was an
ticipated at the beginning of the session.
The new legislation which is incor-
porated is of great importance. notably
the repeal of the act which allowed infa-
ton OF the capital stock of the Washing
ton Gas Light Company, although the
amendment which provided for cheaper
gas has been eliminated
An important amendment is the new
vagrant law. which supplies a serious de-
fciency in present legislation. inasmuch
as il now authorizes the arrest and COM
mitment TO the Workhouse of any per-
son known to be a pickpocket, thief, bur-
clar or confidence operator. without hav-
ing to wait for such person TO commit
criminal act to be taken in charge by
the police. The new law is stringent
and ought to rid the District of Columbia
in a short time of idle and vicious per
sons
Il am glad also that municipal archi-
tect has been provided. and that the pro-
vision for the new penal institution has
received approval.
1T is also gratifying TO find that at last
II" District Commissioners have money
Ia clean the dirty Slush from the streets
although the Increased appropriation re-
GieSted for cleaning the streets has not
been allowed. the amount remaining as at
present.
Police Force Neglected
1t is matter OF some regret that Con-
gross has not agreed to the increase OF
the police force. Tho increasing demands
upon this force ny the growth Of the Dis
tri"t cannot be adequately mot without "A
larger personnel The Commissioners will
continue Ia emphasize I" Congress the
necessity for more mon.
Another important item j. the clause
which gives the Commissioners poHer to
regulate the schedule Of prices of cabs.
taNi'ssbs and public vehicles. and also
empowers the Commissioners 10 prescribe
the penalty or penalties for violation of
IN" schedule Of charges
Commissioner West expressed regret
that the conf"rees had eliminated the ap-
preparations placed in the hill by the SEN
ate for tho construction of n swimming
pool at the present bathing beach
With a comparatively small amount -
n" said. we could have fine public
bathing plant inasnuch AS Congress