The Washington times., 1915-10-20
DISTRICT RESIDENTS ALON e
GOULD ONLY HALF DEVELOP
OR, MAINTAIN THE
Plans and Estimates Submitted
During Past Fifteen Years

The plans anl estina..s %uHnitted to
Congress dur!nS the pas, fftcen years
by the Commissioners OF the District
OF Columbia, the Scnarn Park C"mmis-
Dion. the Chief OF Engineers. and other
authorities. OF themselves snow that
there is ample need for appropriations
requiring all that can rcasopably De
expected in tax revenues from the resi-
dents of the District OF Columbia. and
at least an equal amount froih the
United States Treasury. and these plans
and estimates do not cover all tho ne
cessities OF the National Capital at the
present time. since congress, IN the
act approved March 3. 1913. limited the
estimates OF the District commissioners
to an amount equal to twice the estI-
mated revenues OF tho District of Co.
lumbia for the next fiscal year. and the
struction placed upon 1t by the Dis.
trict Commissioners that tney must
subtract from the amount OF the esti-
mated revenues for the purposes OF tnls
calculation q proportionate sum OF any
ndebtrdncss due the United statss by
the District OF Columbia. the estimates
amount that Congress has not had the
necessary facts for its consideration in
making appropriations.
The District commissioners have
not been able 70 transmit to Con-
ment OF this limitation OF the esti-
mates. a statement Of all tn" needs
OF the DiFtrict OF Columbia, or even
all the estimates OF subordinate bod
les. such as the Eoard Of EDUCATION.
Board of Charities. and others having
immediate charge Of important oni-
cial interest OF the National Capital
Officially that they had important
projects for physical and other i'm
provements in the District of Colum..
bit which under the limitations of
o ~ t...a s.a hAt % nj
1t is we'll known from o1icial reports
of the departments particularly In:
terested that many, of the school
buildings. the buildings Of the fire
pal buildings are not suitable for
their purposes. Some OF them are
unsanitary on account of their great
age and other circumstances. The
hospital at the Washington asy lum
grounds. on the Anacostia river. has
been characterized as disgraceful By
Senators and Representatives. who
have Visited II. and ever since 1907.
when a suitable and healthy site for
| the proposed municipal hospital was
purchased on Georsis avenue at u
bargain and plans obtained under
authority from Congress for such a
hospital. the need for It has been
| steadily increasing.
grcss by the District Commissioners
that the buildings In the heart Of the
! city OF Washington. including all the
, structures OF the National Government.
fire by the construction of special water
| mains. at an initial cost of about ShU,ND,
which. under the high gravity pressure
from the Fort Reno reservoir would
| 10 drive the water to the tops of tho
highest uildings. 1t has been shown
/ repeatedly In official reports OF the Fire
Department that 1t is Inadequate to
once. II i should be engaged in the
southern portion of the city and In tho
northern portion at :hc same time with
| large fires. the governmental structures
hotels and apartment houses in thc,
center of the city Of Washington would
be in danger of possible destruction by
fire. The burning of portion OF the
of valuable, records and models. is still
| remembered. There Is no fire proof
building for the protection Of the price.
less governmental records. The lives "
ment, occuying or resident in the build
lngs In the heart of the city. are also
at risk. The proper development Of the
park system requi Tres additional parks
has in part authorized but, which should
be more rapidly provided. Additional
bridges are needed. especially one in
place Of the Calvert street bridge over
These are examples only OF physical
improvements which. by general agr, e.
nient are necessary for the prVICr up
building of the National CapitA
For what Is sometimes called the
moral progress" OF the Capital. large
additional appropriations should be
made. Under the head of public educa-
tion come as we'll as buildings. Items
such as larger playground provision. a
larger utilization OF the public school
buildings. adult day schools for the
Americanization Of immigrants EN-
ployed at night. lonSer terms for night
schools, which have had to be closed
in sixty days for the lack OF apprupra-
tions. although they ministercd to the
most needy ans eager class of pupils,
Under the same head comes additional
provision, urgently needed in the pub
lie interest. for the suitable mainten-
ance and development OF the public IL
brary. Under the head of public health
come such items as the proper equip
ment. with men and means. of the
Health Department so that there may
be completp scientific inspection OF the
milk and water supplies and OF food
products AN adequate enforcement of
the poison and drug law; a thorough
sanitary inspection service Of private
markets. provision stores. private lods-