The Washington herald., 1909-01-26

With but a few amendments the Sen
ate yesterday passed the urgent dehcien-
cies bin. making appropriations for the
fiscal year ending June 80. 1873 The
amoUnt.of the bill as enacted is S657,-
1924
Aside from the amendment proposed
By Mr.. Gallinger appropriating $500 for
teachers and janitors Of the public
schools. the most important change in the
bill was the striking out Of the clause
whereby the $4,000 had been donated 10
the Bureau Of Animal Industry by the
House
By the terms OF the bill 20 is aP-
propriated 70 purchase land for an addi-
lion 10 the Bureau OF Engraving and
Printing
$1,000 90 Clean Streets.
When thar paragraph increasing the
amount appropriated by the House 10
clean snow and ice from the streets and
cross walks Of the District was reached.
a heated discussion followed IN which
Senator William Alden Smith, of Michi-
gan. vigorously assaiied the 'disgraeefuI
conditions" Of the last ten days.
The debate between the Michigan Sen
ator and Messrs. GaIlinger and BUrkett,
who attempted TO excuse the District au-
thoriues. was stirring Mr. Smith in
choice selection Of adjectives described
the conditions Of the streets as q blight on
the beauty Of the nations Capital ana
said; I don't believe there is a county
seat in this country that has not given
more consideration 10 this subject Of
cleaning snow covered highways than
Washington. Il the $3.50 appropriated IN
this bin is not sufficient then / am in IA
vor Of increasing that amount 10 auy
sum that IS necessary We plant beauJi-
fuI gardens. lay out wide concrete ave
uUes and erect statues and monuments in
this city, and then leave the people go
about N slush up 10 their knees The
spectacle witnessed since the last snow
fall was awful. and / would Ike 10 know
II We cannot egeCt a peTmananet Temady-
During the time Of my service here
/ have seen the streets impossible. and il
seems 10 me We should take steps 10
perfect an efficient system whereby such
emergencies could be met promptly by the
Commissioners Suppose we should have
another snoWstOrm in the latter part OF
February, the streets would again pre-
IL would be outrageous 10 present such
conditions 10 the American people who
come here for the inaugural ceremonies. /
Congress IS derelict II II does not make
provisions TO meet such emergencies and
spare the citizens OF the District from
embarrassment"
Senator GallinEer then arose and ex-
planned that mis- committee had endeav-
0red in the past 10 remedy the bad cor
ditions- but legislation seeking 70 com
pei hoUsehOl6ers 70 keep The pavements
clean was Overruled by the District
courts. Senator BUrkett then interJected
the remark that Congress had always
responded promptly when the Commis-
siOners asked for money with which 10
clean the streets.
Smith Would Evolve Plan.
This was the signal for Senator Smith /
% take The floor again. and he asked II I
the Commissioners or Congress could +
anticipate when a snowst0rm was 20 4
occur. Il imagine I could evolve plan +
IN fifteen minutes whereby a system 4
could be perfected 70 cope with this state /
Of affairs. / have just learned that the 4
Commissioners in order TO have the snow f.
removed from the streets In the last few
days. took a chance and used money. ap- /
proprlated for other purposes. We do +
not blame them, and am sure Congress /
wiG sanction their action. I know Of cities /
located IL the same latitude as Wash 4
inSton with the same difficulties 70 meet /
whose streets are Kept clean We have 4
no more 10 contend with than New York
or Philadelphia. and in my opinion 4
should Congress give the appropriation [.
the unpleasant conditions would be elm /
mated"
Senator Hale then made a few remarks /
urging the District Committee 10 formu- .
late the legislation necessary 70 keep the
streets clean. saying he would support /
their action He was Of the opinion that
II would cost more than 10000 10 as- /
tsblish a permanent system 10 rid the
highways OF the accumulation OF snow
and ice.
Senator Tillman. in a few remarks.
termed "the flthy conditions" as "reDre-
hensibls.' and advocated a permanent
establishment whereby the streets might
BE- cleared oE snow Immediately af.er
a storm.
In his closing statement. Senator Cal
hnger said his committee was at present
considering a measure relating 70 this
subject, but he was OF the fnpressior
that il might not be reported favorabIy.
Mail Service Item.
The bill, as passed By the Senate. an
propriated S7.000 for cleaning the streets OF
Washington. The House considered g eA0
sufficient
Another clause in the bill Of local in
JeresI directs the postmaster 20 rent Of
nces Tor the division headquarters OF the
Railway Mail Service in Washington for
the remainder Of the fiscal year.
An amendment added b- - 49,. I
priations Committee authorizes the Tinted
States Supreme Court TO expend &. 600 4
for lis printing work, the contract 10 10
given any firm It deems most ef7rieDr
Like the Census appropriations measure
this bin allows the printing contract % 4
be given 20 concerns other than the Gov
eminent Printing Office
No Insult 70 Flag.