Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-02-17

peals. the care and improvements TO
the courthouse and for several mis-
cellaneous appropriations. The total
amount recommended for 1929 Is $783,-
O26. This is an increase OF $l8,O24
over 1928 and decrease OF $4.270 UNI
der the budget estimate. The decrtase
represents the discontinuance OF several
,ositions and a reduction OF mantle
nance expenses under the Police Court,
In consequence OF the committees pro-
posal to discontinue the Night franc
Court.
This action has been recommended
nv the Judges OF the Police Court. and
from the testimony given to the COM
mittee and its knowledge OF the situa-
tion there Is no longer any reason for
the holding of a night court for traffic
or other violations. Quite frequently
the court kept open at considerable: ex-
nense sits night after night with
minimum number Of cases. and some
times without any cases at all. While
the night court no doubt answered a
,Isef,,l purpose when 1t was initiated.
due tn the fact that the traffic situation
was not we'll in hand and traffic viola
tions we're numerous. judging from its
present inactivity. this usefulness has
nassed and there Is no longer any rea-
son for its continuance. The commit
tee feels. therefore. that keeping 1t open
at night represents needless expendl-
ture of money and recommends that 1t
be closed.
Public Welfare.
The amount carried in the bill for
the various activities and contributions
welfare Is 1922, 200. This Is 1924 800
more than the present fiscal year and
s3OI .625 less than the budget estimate.
The principal increases making up the
addition of $824,800 for 1929 over 1928
is 100000 for continuing construction
at the workhouse at Lorton, Va, and
for reconditioning and charging the
brick plant; S465, 900 for completing the
construction of the domestic service and
ward buildings at Gallinger Municipal
HOSPITAL: and an increase of S248,250
for the support of INDECENT insane pa
tents of the District of Columbia In ST
Elizabeth's Hospital. making this total
annual cost si.448.250. The committee
did not recommend the estimate sub
mitted for building nurses home at
Columbia Hospital at a cost OF $3.50 600
Due to the rather anomalous position
of the hospital at present and the un-
certainty OF what its status will be In
the future the committee could not at
this time see its way clear to recon-
mend q project of this magnitude With
its consequent drain upon the tax re-
sources of the District Of Columbia.
At present. the land is owned by the
Federal Government, the buildings by
the District Of Columbia and the Fed
eral Government, and the hospital Is
operated under the management Ut an
incorporated boayd from funds derived
from patients. charity, and an annual
appropriation. At present the hospital
is housing only an average OF so pa
tientS daily and Is running into In
creased debt annually. The situation is
acute and legislation should be enacted
TO ameliorate it. either by transferring
as a charity hospital or transferring the
Federal and District of Columbia equity
in the institution over to the hospital
board and let 1t proceed IS private
institution. In any event. until somc
solution has been reached. the commit
tee does not feel justified in recon-
mending the building Of nurses home.
or any other project Of such magnitude.
The committee has reduced the va
rious contributions to the hospitals in
the District Of Columbia for the care
OF INDECENT patients Of the District. By
an amount approximating 10 per cent
OF the contribution for the present fiscal
year. because 1t is expected that the
construction that is being done at Gal
linger Municipal Hospital viii be COM
pleted during the Spring OF 1929 and
II Is planned upon completion OF this 10
concentrate all District charity work at
this institution.
The committee has recommended
$24.500 over budget estimates for the
District Training School for an addi-
ton to the water system and the con-
struction OF a steel girder bridge across
the Patuxent River
There Is also recommended an In
crease OF $1,000 to the current appro-
priation Of $4,000 for repairs and i'm
provements to buildings and grounds
for the Industrial Home School. where
some OF the buildings are very much
In need OF repairs.
Anacostia River and Flats.
The bill carries an appropriation o!
$3.50, 900 for continuing the reclamation
and development of Anacostia Park
This Is the amount recommended in
the budget estimates and q reduction
OF $4,000 under the amount appronri-
ated for the same purpose for the pres
ent fiscal year. This reduction Is made
possible by the completion Of the ne
EQUATIONS for tn purchase Of land
either by direct purchase or the insti-
tuition OF condemnation proceedings for
such lands as could not be purchased
The amount recommended will be used
In part to begin preliminary work above
Benning Bridge. and the balance will
be used toward completing the work
below Benning Bridge. except for such
items as depend upon the completion
OF certain parts OF the project above
Benning Bridge. or upon such items
as hinge upon the prior completion OF
the work by other agencies. The rec
ommendation for 1929 Is made up OF
the following items:
Sea wall foundations In section p
Lake kinSman and NAVIGATION
Masonry sea Wall tn sesttuu =
Oh annel ~ So 900
Supervision Of DUNN ms ... : Soo
Clearing opening un,ter Renniag
Bridge for passage Of plani. tSnou
Trt'nthtng and banking section L. \ thssl
Sea wall foundations section Il $4,000
head Lake ktnsmsn' - ~ 600
ton Ii .....'.,.'.~'t,@..., 81 600
$3.50 uuu