Evening star., 1923-01-24
The District Bill.

AS the District ropriation bill
was formally reported to the Senate
by the, committee on appropriations it
did not materially increase the amount
carried, the committees additions
reaching net figure of only $165,s78,
bringing the total of the bill to s22.-
2i4.4S5, or s1,306,645 under the esti
mates for 1924 and $607, ,12420 under
the appropriations for the current
year. But this relatively small addi-
tion to the bill did not include a num-
Der OF items which, having been
stricken out on a point of order in the
House, have been in effect restored by
the Senate committee, but which for
purposes of expedition in the con-
sideration of the bill were reserved
for separate presentation with the full
approval of the committee. These
items involve considerable expendi-
ture, and if they are adopted by the
Senate, which is to be expected, they
will largely increase the total of the
measure and will bring it up to a
satisfactory figure.
One OF the most important of these
supplementary items proposed for
restoration provides for the erection of
several school buildings and the ac-
QUESTION Of sites. The total carried by
this particular amendment is $3.50, 900
Every penny of this money is required
for the relief of the congestion in the
school system. Indeed. the school
building program included in that item
is but a part of the total urgently nee
essary.
Another Of the supplementary items
authorizes the requirement Of certain
tracts of land to be added to the park
system. including the Klingle Valley,
Piney Branch and Patterson areas, all
Of which have been definitely designat-
ed as required to round out the series
of public reservations in the northern
part OF the city. The Klingle Valley
and Piney Branch spaces are especial
ly urgent needs, as If this provision is
not now made by law these areas will
probably pass out of reach soon by
reason Of impending improvements"
which will take them permanently out
OF range. -he Patterson tract is in
the same category. In the course Of
the past few years it has been fire.
quently urged by the Commissioners
for acquisition, and it must soon be
taken or it, too. will be included in
the development Of the city.
Ar" item Is included in the commit
tees supplementary recommendation
for the erection of an addition to the
courthouse for the use of the office of
the recorder of deeds, to cost $500, 900.
This is urgently needed. The present
facilities for the transaction Of this
important business Of the District are
totally Inadequate. Despite the in
stallat1on of metal shelving the files
and records upon which depend the
titles to practically all of the property
in the District are exposed to destruc-
tion.
One OF the items Of Importance
stricken out Of the bill in the House
on point of order is in this manner
proposed for restoration, that provid-
ing for. the purchase of a. site for a
branch of the P3bIic Library in the
Mount Pleasant. Col ln1bia Heights
section. The urgent needs Of the H.
brary require this addition to its facili.
ties, which. will bring the collection
within closer range of the people for
circulation purposes.
In other respects the Senate COM
mittee has both by it's. direct and
Its supplementary recommendations
brought. the District bill up to the
usual standard Of liberality, and if the
measure is passed in the form thus
proposed: it will, indeed, be a crafty
ing provision for District maintenance
during the next fiscal year.