Norwich bulletin., 1910-12-07
Public Utilities,

justify and require the enactment of and regulation in the public interest consistent with the vested rights se- cured to them by their charters. A part of these corporations-to wit, the street railways-have been put under the control of the interstate commerce commission, but that commission rec ommends that the power be taken from it and intimates broadly that its other and more important duties make it inn possible for it to give the requisite su- pervision. It seems to, me wise to place this general power of supervision and regulation in the District commis- sioners. It is said that their present duties are now absorbing and would prevent the proper discharge by them of these new functions, but their pres ent jurisdiction brings them SO closely and frequently in contact with these 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 hope that congress will impose 1t upon them by intrusting them with powers in respect to such corporations similar to those of the public utilities commis- sion of New York city or similar boards fin Massachusetts.
 School System.
 I 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 3S 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- craze 6.S days of instruction. For the current fiscal year the estimates of the board Of education amounted to about three-quarters of the entire revenue To- cally collected for District purposes.
 If may say 80, there seems to be q 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 concer- tration of control. All plans for in- 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 provide a board of school visitors, to 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 District commissioners
 Permanent Improvements.
 A nfhas Po 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 8 building containing baths, & gymna- sium 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 slums and insanitary congestion of population, there are cen ters in the interior of squares where the very poor and the criminal classes as well huddle together in filth and noisome 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 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 SS16,0OO, one-fourth of the floating debt that will remain on June 30, 1911. The bonded debt will be re- duced 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 estimated, be less than $6.OOO,0O0 on June 30. 1912, as compared with about $9.000,0 900 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