The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-12-07

mates of the board Of education amount
ed To about threc-quarterS of the entire
revenue locally collected for district pur-
poses,
Ii 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 economy
in the use Of these buildings that indi-
of control All plans FOR improvement
and expansion IN the school system are
with the school hoard. while the limita-
ton OF expenses Is with the district COM
missionerS.
I think il would he much better TO put
complete control and responsibility in the
district commissioners. and then PROVIDE
"a board of school visitors. 10 be appoint :
ed by the supreme court of tho district,
or hy tho president from the different
school districts Of Washington, who, rep
rescnting local needs, shall meet and
make recommcndat atlons to the commits
sioners and To the superintendent OF cdu-
cation-an educator of ability and expe-
rlence who should he an nppoiutce or
and responsible 10 the district commits
sloncrs.
PERMANENT IMPROVEMENTS
Among other items for permanent i'm
provemcnts appearing in the district csti-
mates for 1912 Is one designed TO substt-
tutc for Willow Trcc alley, notorious in
the records OF the police and health de
partmnnts. n playground with building
containing baths. n gymnasium, and 9th
er helpful features. and l hope congress
VIII approve this estimate. Fair as
streets and shade trees, and free. us the
expansc OF territory which she occupies
would seem to mako her. from slums
and Insanitary congestion OF populati ton
there are ccnters In the interior OF
squares where the very poor. and tho
criminal classes as well. hud6Ie together
In filth and noisome surroundings. and
IL Is OF primary Importance that these
MIrlNI 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 bygienic requirements.
The estimate for the reform OF VIII
low Tree alley, the worst of these places
mont that ought 20 attract the earnest
attention and support OF congress, for
congress cannot escape It's responsibility
for the existence OF these human pest
holes.
The estimates for the district OF Col
umbla for the fiscal year 1912 pro-
vide for the repayment TO the United
states Of s6lG.ooo. one fourth OF the
co. 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 It's own
share OF Indebtedness WILL 1t is estinat-
ed be less than Sc 900. 900 on June 30.
1912. as compared with about s9.000.Q 900
on June 30, 1909.
Revenues Of District
The bonded debt owed half and half
by the United States and the district,
will be cXtinguisheJ by 1924. and the
floating debt OF the district probably
long before that time.
Tho revenues have doubled in the last
ten years while the population during
the same period has increased bat is rs
per cent. Ii is believed that II due
economy bo practced. the district can
soon emerge from debt. even while
financing Its permanent improvements
revenues.
To this end. recommend the enact
mcnt into law OF Il bill now before com
gress-aEd known as the .Iudson bill
which viii insure the gradual eXtingush-
ment OF the districts debt, while at the
same time requiring that the many
permanent improvements needed TO com
pletc @ fitting capital city shall be car
ried 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
the pending bill or that subject,
NEGRO ExPosiTioN.-I also renew
my recommendation that steps be taken
sition in celebration Of the fftlcth ami
versary OF the issuing by Mr., Lincoln OF
the Emancipation Proclamation.
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION.-Th
civil service commission has continued
It's useful duties during the year. The
necessity for tho maintenance of the pro-
visions OF the civtl service law was new
er ercat ter tben today. Officers respon-
sIbc for the policy of the edminIstra-
tlop. and their immediate personal as
sisiauts or deputies. should not bc In
cluded Within the classified service; bat, In
my Judgment public opinion has ad-
vanccd Ia The point where II would sup
port n bill providing a secure tenure
during efficiency for all purely admins
tra;Ivc officials.
| entertain tho profound conviction
that IL would greatly aid the cause OF ef-
ficient and economical government. and
OF better politics If congress could enact
n bill providing that the executive shall
have the power 10 include In the classi-