The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-12-06

corporations and makes them to know
in such detail how the corporations are
discharging their duties under the law
and how they are serving the public
interest that the commissioners are
peculiarly fitted to do this work, and I
hope that congress will impose it upon
them by intrusting them with powers
In respect to such corporations similar
to those of the public utilities commits
sion of New York city or similar boards
in Massachusetts,.
School System.
do not think the present control OF
the school system of Washington com
mends itself as the most efficient and
economical and thorough instrument
for the carrying on of public instruc-
tion
The cost Of education in the District
of Columbia is excessive as compared
with the cost in other cities of similar
size, and it is not apparent that the re-
suits are In general more satisfactory.
The average cost per pupil per day in
Washington is about 50 cents, while
the average cost in thirteen other
American cities fairly comparable with
Washington in population and stand
ard of education is about 25.5 cents.
For each dollar spent in salaries of
schoolteachers and officers in the Dis
trict about "A days of instruction per
pupil are given, while in the thirteen
cities above referred to each dollar ex-
pended for salaries affords on the av-
erage SO days of instruction. For the
current fiscal year the estimates of the
board of education amounted to about
quarters Of the entire revenue 10
cally collected for District purposes.
If may say so, there seems to be a
lack of definite plan in the expansion
of the school system and the erection
of new buildings and of proper econ
omy in the use of these buildings that
indicates the necessity for the concen-
tration of control. All plans for i'm
provement and expansion in the school
system are with the school board,
while the limitation of expenses is
with the District commissioners.
think it would be much better to put
complete control and responsibility In
the District commissioners and then
be appointed by the supreme court of
the District or by the president from
the different school districts of Wash
ington, who, representing local needs,
shall meet and make recommendations
to the commissioners and TO the super
intendent of education, an educator of
ability and experience who should be
an appointee of and responsible to the
District commissioners.
Permanent improvements.
Among other items for permanent
Improvements appearing IN the district
estimates for 1912 Is one designed to
substitute for Willow Tree alley, no
torious in the records Of the police and
health departments, playground with
a building containing baths, gymna-
SUM and other helpful features, and !
hope congress will approve this esti-
mate. Fair as Washington seems with
her beautiful streets and shade trees
and free as the expanse of territory
which she occupies would seem to
make her from sfums and insanitary
congestion of population, there are cen
tiers in the interior of squares where
the very poor and the criminal CLASSES
as well huddle together In filth and
nofsome surroundings, and It is OF
primary Importance that these nuclei
of disease and suffering and vice
should be removed and that there
should be substituted for them small
parks as breathing spaces and mode
tenements having sufficient air space
and meeting other hygienic require
ments. The estimate for the reform
of Willow Tree alley, the worst OF
| these places in the city, is the begin
ming of movement that ought to at
tract the earnest attention and supper
of congress, for congress cannot es
cape its responsibility for the exist
ence of these human pestholes.
The estimates for the District o.
Columbia for the fiscal year 1912 pro
vide for the repayment to the Unftet
States of 100000. one-fourth of tn,
floating debt that will remain on June
| 30, 1911 The bonded debt will be re
duced IN 1912 by about the sam,
amount.
The District of Columbia is now II
an excellent financial condition. tt
own share Of indebtedness will, It Il
estimated. be less than 100000 o.
June 80. 1912, as compared with abou
100000 on June 80, 1909.
The bonded debt. owed half and hal
by the United States and the District
VIII be extinguished by 1924 and tn
floating debt OF the District pfebabl.
long before that time.
The revenues have doubled In tn
last ten years, while the population
during the same period has Increases
but 1878 per cent. 1t is believed tina
if due economy be practiced the Dis
trict can soon emerge from debt. eve
while financing its permanent I'm
provements with reasonable rapidit
from current revenues.
To this end I recommend the enact
ment into law of bill now befor
congress, known as the Judson bill