Evening star., 1933-01-01
Finance Troubles
Occupied Officials
OF District in 1882

Financial troubles, both of the citi-
zens and their government, occupied
the spotlight at the District Building
in 1882.
Last August special administration
was set up to take care Of the unem-
ployed, with fund of $3500o0 ap-
proved by Congress for the purpose.
The amount proved inadequate. The
District had to ask the Community
Chest for help, which it gave to the
tune of 100000. Then an urgent
deficiency of s1,250,o00 was requested
by the Commissioners, and as this is
written, the request is pending In Con-
gress.
Tax receipts in the 1882 fiscal year
declined $39,18204 as compared with
1881, and Congress passed an appropri-
alton bill of SAL ,245, ,622 for the 1888
fiscal year. cut Of nearly $5,00o,000
under the 1882 scale Nevertheless the
District would encounter an actual
deficit before next July If it were not
for savings made mandatory under the
economy act.
Economy Committee.
On March 5 the Commissioners
founded an Economy Committee, in
structed to help the Government save
money. Under the Craftsmanship OF
District Auditor Daniel j. Donovan, this
committee has met often and for long
periods, but whether it has effected any
economies remains q dark secret. Tne
committee prepared report on the
District estimates for 1884. but when
the Commissioners read 1t they prompt
ly suppressed 1t.
During the year the District paid the
Federal Government the first 81 100000
obligated under the terms Of the Cap
r-Crampton act for the purchase OF
park and playground lands.
In spite of the depression, few large
construction projects were started or
completed. The ne" Klingle Valley
Bridge was opened to traffic. Two new
incinerators were completed and put
into service. Work has started on the
construction Of new Benning bridge
and construction is well along on the
first building of the tuberculosis Sana-
torium near Laurel, Md, and the Piney
Branch underpass
New Officers Named.
All three Assistant Engineer COM
missioners on duty at the beginning OF
the year have departed and are re-
placed by others. Maj. Holland L. Robb
was transferred January %. Capt
Hugh Dram resigned in February TO
take a newly created job in the District
government giving him a pay increase
of $500 per annum, and Maj. Donald
A. Dawson was transferred August l.
Replacing them are Maj. Paul A. Hodg-
son, assigned March 10, Capt. H. F.
Clark, February Is, and Lieut.. Robert
e. York, January 26.
Harold F. Baker of Rochester, N. Y,
was imported to fill the newly created
post of director of the Department of
Construction. Nina Van Wrinkle, for 13
years head Of the Women's Bureau OF
the Police Department, retired in Janu-
ary. DR.. William Tindall, an outstand-
ing District employe who had served
for 63 years, died at the age OF SO May
l. Former Commissioner Cuno H. Ru-
dolph died January 6. John s. Gar
land, former head of the Water De-
partment, died January and Frank L.
WagneIs former chief of the Fire De-
partment, died March II.
The Public Utilities Commission ne
gotiated two reductions in gas rates and
one reduction in electric light and
power rates during the year. An effort
to force reduction in telephone rates
met with failure and wound UP in the
courts, where it Is now pending.