Evening star., 1922-09-17

are justified in their numerous COM
pla1nts made by them. Relief should
be given: but Gven though the funds
for paving the streets as. now SUBJ
mttted in our supplemental estimates
are duly appropriated, their re adents
VIII undergo at least one more win
ter OF mud and great discomfort be-
fore the money becomes available and
the work can be done.
AS result OF. the recent shifting
OF tne center OF population schools
are no longer convenient Of access
for considerable part Of the people,
As an instance 1t may be mentioned
that there Is only one school in the
section north off Rock creek between
Connecticut and Wisconsin avenues.
ana there is mo school whatever in
the area between 18th street and Rock
Creek Park, both sections where
building has been and still is ex-
tremely active. In addition, the ex-
isting older school buildings have
been neglected. Few of them are
properly lighted or heated, and It is
the exception rather than the rule to
and well painted
AS brief epitome of recent ex-
perience it may be said that during
the past year lack of funds has pre-
vented the execution Of the following
work: Water connections. for new
buildings. $55,s7S; sewer connection.
Ior new buildings. $210.955; lighting
OF newly settled neighborhoods, ST.
900. and urgently needed repairs Of
schools. $360,63s.
IN addition. the growth Of the city
mas far outstripped the extension of
large water mains, needed to permit
adequate service without excessive
cost Tor pumping. and so-called storm
sewers. needed to take care Of the
surface drainage. for which natural
water courses are no longer avail
apIe, are seriously lacking, so much
so thae premises are now extensively
hooded by comparatively small
storms; and. moreover. much dam
age is being done by the erosion
caused by the torrential character
now assumed by the run-off During
the past summer the rains have been
excessive, and washouts and floods
nave occurred throughout the city.
Liberal provisions should be made at
~: an early date for extending main
zone liability, for damage may be in
CURED by the District. and. in any
event, the residents of the areas OF
uencient drainage will experience
serious losses.
Seat for Every CHILD.
IF the total amounts in, the origi-
nal and, the supplemental estimates
are approved and the appropriations
are made by Congress, by the end of
the calendar year 1924 it will have
become possible to provide a seat in
the schools for nearly every pupil !:
part-time classes and staggered
school schedules may then be practi-
cally ended and the use Of portable
schooi buildings Of unsatisfactory
character abandoned; permanent
pavements can be furnished for, the
large number OF streets fully built
up on both sides with dwellings and
other buildings: and the main arte-
Ffal highways connecting the District
with the excellent roads Of the state
of Maryland can be put into good
condition, so as no longer to reflect
reproach upon the National Capital.
Sewer and water service can be sup
piled to all new buildings and 1t will
no longer be necessary to resort to
the humilfating expedient OF deny
ing these necessities to those who
have a right to demand them.
Finally. legitimate extensions of
these services may. in anticipation of
future growth. be made, and better
ments of both In the interest of more
dependable, efficient and economical
operation.
Whatever may be the nnal result
of our representations. the Commits
sioners feel that they have a right to
ask that no item in the estimates be
changed except as a result of careful
investigation into the subject matter
to which 1t relates. and that, in any
event. such items as relate to physi-
cal improvements and material con-
ditions capable of .verihcation by
visual inspection, be decided only
after careful investigation in the
field has been made. The Commits
sioners stand ready, Of course. to CO.
operate with you osL any agency that
you may designate in expediting such
field Investigations as they believe
to be indispensable.
"The Commissioners, in conclusion,