The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-12-06
THE FARMER: DECEMBER 6, 1910

substitute for Willow Tree alley, no torious in the records of the police and health departments. playground with a building contaAing baths, gymna- sium and other helpful features, and I 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 slums and insanitary congestion of population, there are cen. ters Tn the interior of squares where the very poor and the criminal classes as well huddle together in filth and noisomeN surroundings, and 1t 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 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 support of congress, for congress cannot es- cape its responsibility for the exist ! ence of these human pestholes. The estimates for the District of Columbia for the fiscal year 1912 pro- vide for the repayment to the United States of $616.0O0. one-fourth of the floating debt that will remain on June 80, 1911 The bonded debt will be re- duced in 1912 by about the same amount
 The District of Columbia is now fin an excellent financial condition. It's own share of indebtedness will. 1t Is estimated, be less than S6.000.000 on June 30, 1912, as compared with about 80 GOO GOO on June 30. 1909.
 The bonded debt, owed half and half by the United States and the District will be extinguished by 1924 and the floating debt of the District probably long before that time
 The revenues have doubled in the last ten years. while the population during the same period has increased but 1878 per cent. It Is believed that If due economy be practiced the Dis trict can soon emerge from debt. ever while financing its permanent i'm provements with reasonable rapidity from current revenues.
 To this end recommend the enact. ment into law of bill now before congress, known as the Judson bill which will Insure the gradual ex tinguishment of the Districts debt while at the same time requiring tha, the many permanent improvements needed to complete a fitting capital city shall be carried on from year to year and at proper rate of progress with funds derived from the rapidly increasing revenues.
 Freedmen's Bank.
 renew my recommendation that the claims of the depositors in the Freedmen's 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 hold ing of negro exposition in celebra- tion of the fftieth anniversary of the Issuing by MT. Lincoln of the emanci- patton proclamation.
 Civil Service Commission.
 The civil service commission has con- hnued its useful duties during the year. The necessity for the mainte- nance of the provisions of the civil service law was never greater than to- day. Officers responsible for the poli- cy of the administration and their i'm mediate personal assistants or depu- ties should not be included within the classified service, but in my judgment public opinion has advanced to the point where 1t would support a bill providing secure tenure during eff ciency for sall purely administrative officials.
 I entertain the profound conviction that 1t would greatly aid the cause of efficient and economical government and of better politics if congress could enact bill providing that the execu- tive shall have the power to include in the classified service all local of fees under the treasury department. the department of justice. the post office department, the interior depart ment and the department of com merce and labor. appointments to which now require the confirmation of the senate. and that upon such classification the advice and consent of the senate shall cease to be re- quired in such appointments.
 By their certainty of tenure. depend ent on good service. and by their free dom from the necessity for political activity these local officers would be induced to become more efficient pub lie servants.
 The civil service law is an attempt to solve the problem of the proper se- lection of those who enter the service A better system under that law for promotions ought to be devised; but, given the selected employee. there re- mains still the question of promoting his efficiency and his usefulness to the government, and that can be brought about only by a careful comparison of unit work done by the individual and a pointing out of the necessity for i'm provement in this regard where i'm provement is possible.
 Inquiry Into Economy and Efficiency.
 The increase in the activities and in %ho opnuoI ovnop1;t1,roo oF fh~ foIoro1