The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-07
Open
 Every
 Night
 Until Ten O'clock. Shop Early.


 ings, 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 model tenements having sufficient air space and meeting other hygienic requirements. The estimate for the reform of Willow Tree alley, the worst of these places in the city, is the beginning of a movement that fought to attract the earnest attention and kupeeit of Congress. for Congress can not escape it's responsibility for the ex- istence of these human pest holes.
 The estimates for the District of Co., 1,mbia for the fiscal year 1912 provide for the repayment to the United States of s6lc,O ,Oo0, one-fourth of the floating debt that will remain on June %, 1911. The bonded debt will be reduced in 1912 by about the same amount.
 The District of Columbia is now in an excellent financial condition. Its own share of indebtedness will, it is esti na.eo, be less than s6,o00.0O0 on June 90, 1912, as compared with about s9, coo on June 90. 1909.
 The bonded debt. owed half and half by the United States and the District, will be extinguished by 1924, and the float Ing debt of the District probably long be- forr that time.
 The revenues have doubled in the lasf ten years, while the population during the same period has increased but 16.7S per cent. It is believed that, If due econo- my be practiced, the District can soon emerge from debt, even while financing It's permanent improvements with reason able rapdity from current revenues. To this end, recommend the enactment Into law of a bill now before Congress- and known as the Judson Bili-which will insure the gradual extinguishment of the Districts debt, while at the same time requiring that the many permanent i'm prcvements needed to complete a fitting capital city shall be carried on from year 10 year and at proper rate of progress with funds derived from the rapidly in creasing revenues.
 Freedmen's Bank
 renew my recommendation that the claims of the depostors in the Freed mems bank be recognized and paid by the passage of the pending bill on that subject
 Negro Exposition
 | also renew my recommendation that steps be taken looking to the holding of q negro exposition in celebration of the f1fteth anniversary of the issuing by MT. Lincoln of the emancipation proclaina- t1on.
 Civil Service Commission
 The civil service commission has con- tinued its useful duties during the year. Tine necessity for the maintenance of the provisions of the civil service law was never greater than today. Officers re- sponsible for the policy of the administra- ton, and their immediate personal as- sstants or deputies, should not be in- cluded within the classified service; buI in my judgment, public opinion has ad- vanced to the point where 1t would sup- port a. bill providing a secure tenure dur ing efficiency for all purely administra- tive officials. I entertain the profound conviction that it would greatly aid the cause of efficient and economical govern ment, and of better politics if Congress could enact bill providing that the ex- ecutive shall have the power to include fin the classified service all local offices under the treasury department, the de. pertinent of justice. the postoffice depart. ment, tie interior department and the de. partment of commerce and labor, appoint. ments to which now require the confr- nation of the Senate. and that upon sucf classification the advice and consent oi the Senate shall cease to be required IT such appointments. By their certainty o tenure, dependent on good service anc by their freedom from the necessity fol political activity, these local officers public servants.
 The civil service law is an attempt tt solve the problem of the proper selection of those who enter the service bette system under that law for promotion, ought to be devised. but given the SC lected employe, there remains still tn, question of promoting his efficiency ant his usefulness to the government, ant that can be brought about only by care