Evening star., 1926-03-10

tenn, enforcement Of electrical regula.
uons dealing with the installation Of
electrical wiring in public and private
buildings. maintenance and operation
OF the police patrol signal. fire alarm
system and the municipal telephone
system, and the regulation and super
vision Of the erection and main
tenance Of poles and overhead wires
Of public utilities in public spaces.
''The appropriation proposed makes
provision for three additional en-
pioyes required to give more efficient
service to the public in speeding up
inspections and making such inspec-
tions more thorough. The principal
increase occurs in the item for street
lighting, $750.000, as compared with
$590.00O for the current year, and
virtually all Of this increase ($143,-
O00)) goes into the maintenance Of
existing street lighting. The pro-
posed ALLEGATION of the money leaves
but $35.O00 for improving lighting
facilities plus a specific appropriation
proposed by the budget and the COM
mittee Of $4,000. This will allow a
small measure of progress to be made
on the comprehensive plan worked
out under the direction Of the Com
missioners for providing for and bet
tering the lighting needs OF the Dis
trict. The Engineer Commissioner
has reported that the street lighting
as a whole is distinctly inadequate.
How rapidly the lighting plans should
be proceeded with would seem to tie
to the question OF the extent the
local taxpayers wish to go in provid-
ing for its accomplishment. The
committee suggests that study OF
the legislation with respect to serv-
ice rates might disclose a means or
reducing this expense and thereby re-
lease money for extension and i'm
provement work
Public Schools.
The appropriations proposed by
the budget on account of the public
schools amount to $11 .2S3,o77. or
81, ,0S2 .060 below the current appro'
priations. The committee is propos-
ing the budget estimate and reap
preparation of approximately $3.50, 900
The decreas Sc of $66. 500 represents
transfer to the Health Department
OF the appropriations on account OF
medical and dental inspection work.
Teachers.
"For the pay of teachers and
librarians the appropriation proposed
by the committee and the budget
is $5,564,300. This is an increase OF
1895, 800 over the current appropria-
ton, Longevity pay in accordance
with the act of June 4. 1924, accounts
for $2l6, 100 of the increase. and the
remainder f$iS6.20W is for the com
pensation OF 80 additional teachers
estimated to be required on account
Of increased enrolment and the open
ing of new classrooms. The whole
enrolment in the public schools OF
the District for the year ending June
80. 1925, was 72 ,967--49,717 white and
23,250 colored. The daily average at
tendance during that year was 6l.-
313.1. There are 1855 teachers and
10 librarians employed in the public
schools OF the District this year. The
school authorities estimated for a
larger number of additional teachers,
but there was a difference of opinion
as to the probable date of opening of
new buildings, which is responsible for
the smaller allowance. If II should
appear that these buildings will be
ready for occupancy earlier than the
allowance contemplates. teachers Tor
them can be provided for in de-
ficiency bill.
.JanitOrs.
"The budget proposes an increase IN
the janitorial force from 433 to 4Sl,
entailing an increase over the current
APPROPRIATION of $54.600. An additional
increase Of $4,000 is proposed to pay
increased compensation in accordance
with the classification act. The com
ivor h1IdO0f
mate. The superintendent of schools
expressed the opinion that the addi'
tional force provided will take care OF
the buildings adequately. assuming
that no more buildings will be made
ready for occupancy during the school
wear than the estimates contemplate.
The proposed appropriation takes care
Of the Janitorial force for II buildings
or additions to buildings which 1t Is
expected will be opened during the
next school year for an additional en-
ploye in each Of three existing build
ings, and for an additional assistant
to the superintendent of 5anitors.
Miscellaneous Items.
"Under this head the budget and the
committee propose increased appro-
priations of 1927 $50 for furniture and
$5, 900 for contingent expenses and Of
$25, 900 for text books. The increase
for furniture is attributable to the
larger number Of new buildings near
ing completion. The amount proposed
for books is in agreement with the
original estimates Of the Board of
Education. Provision also is made
under this head for the purchase of
paper towels. The current appropria-
ton is 1880. the amount recommend
ed by the budget and the committee is
81, 500 and the amount recommended
by the Board of Education is $4,000.
The superintendent of schools stated
that to supply each pupil in the pub
lie schools with one sanitary paper
towel for each school day would re-
quire an appropriation of approx
mately $4,000.
Buildings and Grounds.
'The act approved February 26,
1925, prescribed flve.year program
for the construction Of school build
ings and for the purchase of sites for
school buildings and school play
grounds. The total estimated cost of
that program is $4,000 900. To date
there has been appropriated toward
it's accomplishment $4,336.500. This
bill provides a further sum Of 50 ,608,-
500 and q reappropriation Of approx
mately $150.O00. This, obviously, is
not at rate that would provide the
funds for the entire program within
q period of FIVE years equally distrib-
uted. In this connection it will be
recalled that under the terms Of the
act approved February 2, 1925, the
sum Of $4,438,154.92 was made per-
manently available in the general &C.
count Of the District Of Columbia in
the Treasury Department for ap.
propriation by Congress for purchase
of land and construction Of buildings
for public school, playground and
park purposes In pursuance of the
provisions Of such act further credit
of $S19,37383 was found to be due
the District by the controller gen.