Evening Star Newspaper, November 30, 1889, Page 7

AFFAIRS OF THE DISTRICT. THE COMMISSIONERS’ REPORT Placed in the Hands of the President To-day. ‘The District Commissioners Make Their Yearly Statement — Recommenda- tions for Congressional Action— Matters of Importance to Resi- dents of the Capital. Ce eee Commissioner Douglass called upon the Presi- dent this morning, and placed in his hands the Snnual report of the operations of the District Government for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889. The full text of the report is as fol- lows: Novempen 30, "89. To the President: The Commissioners of the District of Columbia hereby submit, pursuant o the requirements of the organic law of said istrict, a report of the official doings of the District government during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1889. as They refer to the accompanying reports of the subordinate officials of the District for the @etails of those. transactions, Pursuant to the practice of their predeces- sors, based, as they are advised, upon the ex- Pressed wishes of perragrs of —— of Ci 88 entrusted with the preliminary con- sideration of District matters in that body, they also submit a summary of the more im- portant features of these reports with their Comments thereon, and recommendations for Congressional action deemed by them desirable to facilitate the administration of municipal in the District. RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES. The following statement exhibits the receipts and expenditures of the District during the year, according to the various sources of reve- Bue and the needs of appropriations. RECEIPTS. Balance on hand July 1, '88. $1,356,093 16 Repayments to Le ache 2 23,890 39 General taxes, including penalties, 2,009,164 56 License: 107,579 94 Markets. 18,164 34 2,515 75 AMOS. cee. a0 . 35,562 94 Pees for tax certificate *. Permit fees for sewer and gas. Building permits Dog tax Lee ni CR en Surplus from sale of contractors’ guaranty bonds. Engineer's licenses i Bale of hose of Washington aque- net. , dumage to street lam; Use of steam roller.......... Judgment in case of Wm. Barnes ys. the District. Advertising. ... Water taxes and rents Washington special tax fund Washington redemption fund.... Redemption of tux lien certiticates Redemption of assessment certifi- 740 72 ruary . epee 7,974 49 Firemen’s relief fund,act of Febru- ary 25, °35...... U.S. appropriations Total on hand and received......96,510,468 87 EXPENDITURES. Improvements and repairs. Permit work. Bridges .. + 20,011.86 Washington aqueduct... 2 30,007.44 Washington asylum... + 57,441.50 ‘Transportation of paupersand pris- oners...-...... Relief of the poor. \ospital for the insane. Reform school... .. Building reform schools. St. Ann's infant asylum. Maintenance of church orphanage. Building church orphanage Industrial home school. . “- Columbia hospital for women and lying-in asylum Sr Building hospital for women au lying-in asy Women’s Christian association National association for colored women and children. Children’s hospital... ; Washington hospital for found- lings. St. Rose ind a Association for works of mercy... National homeopathic hospital as- sociation................ National temperauce home Centra] dispensary and emergency hospital... . Salaries and contingent expenses, offices... Expenses o! erty 12,250.00 Yuildinge—tire department Yelegraph and telephone service. Courts......... Writs of lunacy Pay of referees, Court of Claims. Public schools Health department Emergency fund. Interest and sinking fun Miscellaneous expenses. Ju ents. from contractors. 1,078.34 To maintain public roads 7,577.67 Payment to F. H. Bates, military instructor at high school. . 300.00 Redemption of sewer certificates. 120.00 Water department...... 908.239.14 Refunding water rents, &c 1,209.69 Guaranty fund, act 54,161.44 Juue il, Refunding taxes, &c...... Washington special tax fun Redemption of tax lien certit Redemption of assessment certifi- 551.47 3,017.35 5,714.48 1,246.00 Firemen’s relief fund... $5,147, 686.81 Total expenditures,....... Balance on hand July 1, 1889.. -1,362,732.06 The avove baiance is divisible as follow General expenses District of Co- lumbia. 1,328, 263.44 (Contractor's guaranty 5,476.17 Policemen’s rehef fund. 10,174.19 ‘asbington special tax Redemption of tax-lien certificates, Washington redemption fund. Redemption of ascessment certi- ficates...........+3 mos a 292.00 Redemption Pennsylvania avenue ‘cortiheates, act July 6, 15100" 117.05 Bedemption Pennsylvania avenue ates, act July 19, 1876... 176.08 Filling grounds south of the capital under various acts.......... “. 191.07 Bales of property in ign tay and Georgetown, act March 3, 1881. 449.12 292.31 87.50 ting and quartermaster’s corral, sew- ers, act March 3, 1887.......... ai Total as above............0.- SURPLUS REVENUES, ‘The amount of revenues derived from taxes other private sources in excess of expend- authorized by appropriations and charge- le to those revenucsand available from ap- subsequent to June 30, 1889, was date $656,172.81. DEBT. ‘The treasurer of the United States, who is by law with the management of the nded debt of the District, rej that that ‘bt on June 90, 1859, was $20,142,050. of the bonded i No the of the ‘trict was incurred under the at form which went into June 30, courts, which couid aot have been anticipated, and minor items of current expenses, which were not adequately provided for é appropri- ations, These Sey goes are in amount and are not unpaid use of lack of means on the part of the District, but because the Com- missioners are prohibited by law from making | ere mot authorized by appropriations. ¥ occur from year to year and are liqui- dated py deficiency appropriations annually made by Congress. ‘WATER SUPPLY DEBT. The District is required, under a construction of the act of Congress of July 5, 1884, to pay one-half of the principal of and interest on the amount advanced by the United States, under acts of Congress, as the District's proportion of the expense incurred in constructing the tun- uel and appurtenant works designed to increase the water supply. This advance is repayable in not less than twenty-five annual install- ments, with interest thereon at the rate of 3 per cent per annum, computed annually on the principal sum remaining unpaid. The treas- Urer of the United States. in his annual report to the Secretary of the Treasury on thesinking fund and funded debt of the District, furnishes the following figures respecting this account: Total amount advanced by the United States on said account to date of this communication was $2,179,555.72. Half of which, to be refunded in twenty-five annual installments, is $1,089,777.86. Amount repaid in four’ annual instaliments, $171,809.31, To be paid United States in twenty-one an- nual installments, $917,963.55. ASSESSMENT OF GENERAL TAXES. The general assessments made for a number of years past have been in many respects ob- jectionable, The system under which they have been made has not allowed sufficient time nor provided for the most suitable agencies for the doing of this complicated duty. Under this system the District of Columbia is divided into not exceeding twelve subdistricts, One per- sn 1s appointed in each of said districts to as- sess the real estate therein. These assessors must make the assessment in three months and then act as a board of equalization. They are required to finally complete the assessments and equalizations in two months after making their assessment returus and report their cou- clusions to the Commissioners, The valuation so made and equalized constitutes the basis of taxation for three years, except that it may be increased by adding taxable property omitted or reduced by omitting buildings subsequently destroyed and property exempt by law that may have been assessed for taxation. These subassessors receive £5 per day each as com- pensation for a maximum term of one hundred and fifty days, ‘They are each required to give abondin the sum of 32,000 for faithful dis- charge of duty. Although the assessment of real property fo taxation Is one of the most intricate subjects connected with the adininistration of public affuirs this law seems to impiy tuat it can be done by such persons as the District authori- ties can secure for temporary service. The consequence has been so far unsatisfactory, and the Commissioners anticipate no differeut results in the future from persistence in this method. It may be added thai but for nid given by the clerks of the permanent assessor, to the prejudice of their own duties, the d fects in these assessments would bh: more numerous and enzbarrassing. Perso all familiar with the subject-watter are very seldom unemployed, and it is very manifest that those in regular employment will not abandon it for work known to be temporary and also full of ditticulttes and yexai In the judgment of the Com system of making general property every three years isa good one. It | enables property owners to foresce the « of taxes they will be called upon to 7 | Provide for them a reasonable ti advance, and is frequent enough to secure for the Dis- trict all the benefits of the healthy apprecia- tion in land vaines. These assessments, as well as personal as- sessments, should be made by per sessors, who should dev sary to that duty. with a tenur. would secure to the publ experience and skill, and By yas would enable the authorities to employ and retain in that capacity the continuous services of responsible and able citizens. The permanent assessor, the auditor and the computing onginecr should be ed « bourd of appeals to modify, with the approval of the Commissioners, the assessments so made, by the correction of clerical errors and unjust sessments, which may appear from ume to time, and disebarge such other duties germane to the levying of municipal revenue as the Commissioners may entrust to them. The gress during the present session a bill embody- ing their views in the premises. The assessment for the general taxes is ns follow Washington: Taxable on land..... $64,458.693 Taxable on impt’s... 59,155,000 ———_ $19,613,603 Georgetow: Taxable on land. $2,703,921 Taxable on impt’ 2,691,100 —_—-—- 5,295,021 County: Taxable at $1.50 on | dand. . - $6,464,253 Taxable ai 50 on improvements.... 2,089,050 8,533,303 Taxable at $1 on land......... eee eee $3,088,042 Taxable at $1 on improvements... 996,450 4,084.492 8137,626,419 Total in District of Columbia: Washington Georgetown. County... 119,613,603 5,021 617,795 ROWE SOON os 5s ccnscuseceu $137,626,419 Personal property Washington, . + $10,231,393 Georgetow: 607,603 County.... 134,17 Total taxable realand personal, $148,649,586 THE RATE OF TAX. The rate of tax is now fixed by law at $1.50 per $100 for all taxable personal property, and for all taxable real property, except that used for agricaltaral purposes, which is $1.00 per 100, COLLECTION OF REVENUE. The collector of taxes reports the collections and deposit by him in the treasury of the United States of revenues received at his office during the year as follows: ‘Tax on real property.... « $1,774,039.87 Tax on personal property. 169,944.28 Penalties on arrears of tax... 85,144.22 Miscellaneous items. . 268:610.18 Water fund...... 246,454.10 Total .. seeeeenes $2,544,192.68 The total uncollected general taxes since 1872 are $664,331.29, $180,181.18 of which were ar- rears from the levy for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1889, A large portion of this apparent arrearage consists of assessments against property whose taxability is a matter of doubt or dispute, which, beeause of lack of available clerical force, has not been eliminated from the tax ac- counts. Much of the remainder of this arrear- age is due to the deliberate omission of the ror owners to pay it, because of their re- iance upon the disfavor with which the courts are reputed to look upon title derived through tax sales for overdue taxes. Several attempts have been made by the District authorities to secure the enactment of a statute that would enable the District to give an indefeasible titie under such sales. The most effectual of these provisions is that contained in the 5th section Of the act of March 3, 1877, vol. 9, U.S. Stat.At L., page 397, which requires the Commissioners to bid off in the name of the District of Colum- bia all property where the highest bid at the annual tax sales ie not “suficiont to meet the taxes, penaity and cost ereon, and to ay in tee name and behalf ‘of the District of Columbia to the Supreme Court of the District, sitting in equity, for the purpose of enforcing the lien so acquired, But the Commissioners are advised by their attorney that, as this would be a proceeding in ties attendant uj of most cases of t nature would be eally insurmountable, It seems to be conceded that the most ad- visable “Fue detse soon ae inrem. The former assistent attorney for the District, Mr. Henry E. Davis, has given the subject much study and prepared a draft of a bill to effect that object, which has been sub- mitted to the Commissiot intend to transmit to Congress at the session, ARREARS OF PERSONAL TAX, Commissioners will prepare and submitto Con- | 11,023,167 | necessary. Fifty-one ners and which they the iacloe aes of the SPECIAL . The overdue special assessments for work done under contracts and extensions of con- tracts of the Iate board of public works June 30, 1889, amounted to $27,583.21. $209,602.72 of this amount, interest at the rate of iO per cent per annum, on an average, since 1876, represented the assets pledged for the re- demption of the outstanding 8 per cent certifi- cates of indebtedness, commonly called “‘greeu- backs,” which amounted on the date afore- said to $66,950, The remainder of these special assessments, viz: $61,990.49, also bearing interest at an average rate of 10 per cent since 1872, are held by private parties, OLD CORPORATION ASSESSMENTS. The amount collected on account of special assessments levied by the late corporation of Washington was $4,278.67. COMPULSORY PERMIT ASSESSMENTS. Under the act of Congress approved July 9, 1886, and subsequent gemane enactments of that body, 237,013.38 of assessments have been made under the system of making special im- provements, the cost of which is borne in cer- tain portions, varying from one-third to one- half by the property owners and the balance by the District. This amount has been reduced by cancella- tion of taxes on exempt property and by col- lections to $12,827.41. $17,648.05 of these col- lections wero made during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1889. * DRAWBACK CERTIFICATES. The amount of drawback certiticates prior to June 30, 1889, due by reversion under act of Tune 19, 1878, and June 27, 1879, was #954. 938.37. Under act of February 12, 1889, 245,447.23; total, $1,000,385.60: of which $977,754.45 were is- sued. Of those issued only #15, 09 are out- standing, the remainder having been received in payment of taxes and canceled, FIRE DEPARTMENT. The fire department consists of one chief en- gineer, two assistant chief engineers. one mar- shal, ten foremen, eight engineers, eight fire- | men, sixty-eight privates, eleven hostlers, two tillermen, one veterinary surgeon, six wateh- | men and one cierk. The apparatus of the de- partment consists of ten steam fire engines, eleven hose carriages and three hook-and- ladder trucks. Fifty-one hor: are in use in the department. Provision was made in Dis- trict appropriation act for 189) for a chemics engine, which has uot yet been purchased. The department has 21,60) feet of hose, 11,300 feet of which is in good condition, 7,450. fairly usa- ble and 2.850 in bad condition, ‘Lhe companies are located as follows: No. 1 engine compuny, K street between 16th and 17th northwest. No. 2 engine company, D street between 12th and 13th northwest. No. 3 engine comps C street northeast, No. 4 engine company, Virginia avenue be- tweon 46 and 6th southwest. No, 5 engine company, W street between 32d and Potomue northwest, No. 6 engine company, Massachusetts avenue between 4ih and 5th northwest, No. 7 engine company, K street between 9th and 10th northwest, No. 8 engine company, North Carolina avenue between 6th and 7th streets southeast. A truck company, North Capitol street be- tween B and C northeast, B truck company, New Hampshire avenue and M street northwest. wh engine company consists of one fore- man, one engineer, one’ firem: and one hostler. Euch tru | of one foreman, one tillerm | and one hostier, The department responded to 23 during the year, These fire as of $140,! ? iy, Delaware avenue and ny consists fire alarms 8 caused an esti- 34 of which was covered by ins work of this d partment bas © d favorebly with its ex- celiend record of preceding ye: FIREMEN'S RELIEF The relief fuud of the tire department is de- rived wholly from the eompuisory monthly coutribution of $1 by each mémber of the de- partment, as required by law. (U.S. Stat. at Large his source provides a very liable at any time to be inadequate to the requirements it is designed to me: ‘The result of such # failure would have a very depressing effect upon the morale of the departinent, and, consequently, impair its efficiency. ‘The firemen’s services wonld be more zealously rendered if the firemen were as- sured, by the existence of an ample pension fund, that those dependent on them wouid be duly provided for in case of their disubility from injury in the line of duty. Hence, sound pe policy requires that such an assurance be given. ‘This could be effected, as the prede- cessors of the present Commissioners recom- mended, by directing by general law that the amount now allowed by law, or such other as might be deemed suitable, be paid, as occasion arises, from any funds in the ‘Treasury to the credit of the District and the United States in equal parts, © POLICE. The effective force of the police department on June 30, 1839, consisted of 376 men, as follows: Oue major, one captain, lieutenants, twenty-eight sergeants, one hun- dred and eighty-five privates, class one,and one hundred and ‘ity, class two. Of this force six sergeants, forty privates of class one and ten of class two were added during the year. Itis desirable that the force should be still further increased, and, with this object in view, the Commissioners included in their esti- mates for the fiscal year to end Jane 30, 1891, estimates for five additional sergeants and twenty-seven more privates each in classes one and two, ‘The records and property of the department are cared for by three clerks, nineteen station keepers, eight laborers, two messengers, three ambulance drivers, seven patrol-wagon drivers. Three police matrons, for the examination and care of female prisoners under detention at station houses, are also employed in the de- partment. ‘This department shares with the fire depart- ment the services of four police surgeons,whose duty it is to furnish medicine and surgical treatment to officers of said departments when two inspectors, nine ‘The major of police reports that the depart- ment is ‘still seriously hampered by the re- quirement in section 3540f the Revised Stat- utes of the United States, relating to the Dis- trict of Columbia, that “no person shall be ap- pointed as policeman who has not served in the uruly or navy of the United States andreceived un honorable discharge." ‘This law was passed’ tofurnish honorable em- ployment to those who had rendered valuable service to the country in the army or navy. It has become a matter of serious difficulty to ob- tain competent policemen under this law. Its repeal has been recommended by every board of Commissioners since 1878, and is renewed by the present board. TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE SERVICE, The telegraph and telephone service of the District government comprehends the police telephone and telegraph systems, including the supervision of the electrical plant used in con- nection with the police signal and fire-alarm systems, and the public schools and District oftices. _ With respect to the matter of maintaining the lines the superintendent of the service recom- mends that the prohibition against erecting overhead wires be relaxed, or that sufficient money be appropriated to provide for laying all District wires under ground. The Commis- Sioners recommend the latter course, ATTORNEY. Among the important matters reforred to by the attorney in his annual report are the de- cisions of the Supreme Court of the United States in the cases of the Metropolitan railwa; company against the District of Columbia an Brown against the District of Columbia. In the former case the District had obtained judgment in the court below for more than $147,000 on a suit to recover from the railroad company the amount expended by the District in paving the on erie of error and obtalned: ju ent, ci] t at its nighe by jropylecnrti of the statute of limitations. " This court also, on the ground that the amount involved excladed ite es diction, dismi: the District's appeal Brewer case in equity, in which the court below decided that a tax deed made suance of a sale for the unpaid taxes dor al ens for th Siamissed, reason, writs of error in cases ses, which were — a for injuries sustained from hiegkoupie The ground of dismissal was that the accrued interest could not be considered in det ing questions of & gos bape f A 1, 81x. privates | hit privates | District of $28,257.38, with terest from | Congress embodying their views on this im-| bridge at the second pier from the Virginia November ‘wien a, e nee portant subject. ze ris Bey careful Pome gr picts =e The dation SUNDAY LAW. iver it was found from a siterney renews his recommen: of a law for the summary com- insane pending mitment of the pro- He recommends the passage of a law Providing for the summary condemnation of Lteepe feats of way for sewers, which can now be ob‘ of private = only tained upon petition of pri He also recom: that the laws of the late mends eration of Washington be made applicable to the entire District of Columbia, pen the of a code of laws, as » partial remedy for much of the inconvenience suffered by the lack of a uniform system of local laws. The Commissioners approve the above rec- ommendations, INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS. The inspector of buildings reports the issue by his office during the year of 2,415 permits for the erection and repair of buildings in the District, involving an expenditure of $6.165,480 Seventeen hundred and sixteen of these per- mits were for brick dwellings and 279 for frame dwellings, ‘The fees for the issuance of build- ing permits by this office during the year amounted to $8,499.69, The office also issued 884 permits for tlie use of Potomac river water in the construction and repair of buildings, the fees for which ‘omaunted to $2,033.65. This office also prepared plans for and superiutended the erection of nine public school buildings, involving an expenditure of $314,803.74; an engine house for company 9 of the District fire department, costing $10.845.03, and a station house in the ninth police precinct, costing $14,361.57. The office also supervised ail the repairs and improvements made during the year to school and other municipal buildings and grounds. CORONER. The coroner reports that he certified to deaths, which occurred under circumstances requiring his oficial action, as follows: Suicides, 10; homicides, 14; infanticides, 11; accidents and negligence, 72; disease, 356; still birth, 50, MUNICIPAL MARKETS. The receipts and expenditures for the three markets under municipal ownership and con- trol amounted to: Receipts: Eastern market, . + + 83.434.50 Western market..... 6,030.00 Georgetown market, 262.02 $10,726.52 Expenditures: +++ $992.50 187.67 85,793.05 Net revenue frommarkets........ $4,933.47 HEALTH OFFICE. The health office reports that the total mor- tality of the year was 5,152; 2,713 of these de- cedents were white and 2,439 colored. The death rate, calculated on a population of 250,000, was, for the former, 15.96 per 1,000, and for the latter 30.49 per 1,000. ‘The average death rate was 20.60 per 1,000. This shows a remarkably good sanitary condition-of the District. ‘Tho death rate for the white popula- tion is the lowest District annual death rate ever recorded. The disproportionally large colored death rate was not due to insalubrity of climate or sanitary neglect of the authori- tities but from the fact that a large base big of the colored residents here are engaged in pur- suits which require exposure to the weather and are ignorant of and consequently inatten- tive to hygienic rules. The department has rendered its services in nting the sale of unwhkolesome food, re- ing dead animals, garbage and night soil, and in sweeping and cleaning 177,951,854 square yards of streets and alleys, Under its supervision 14,575 indigent patients received gratuitous medical treatment. ‘The health officer reports that the record of marriages is not complete, becaase officiating ofiicers or clergymen in many cases neglect to notity his office. He recommends ,that more stringent laws be enacted to compel, by severe penalties, the prompt rendition of reports in such cases, The marriage record is one of the most valuable archives for the purposes of reference and should be made as nearly perfect as possible, He recommends the appropriation cf $5,000 for the establishment of public baths and sub- mits a statement relative to their use in other cities, INSPECTOR OF PLUMBIXG. ‘The inspector of plumbing approved plans for plumbing in 1,787 new houses and inspected 583 old buildings. Herecommends the passage of a law authorizing the examination and regis- tration of plumbers and imposing enaities for omission to conform thereto. While congratu- lating the community upon the existing scope of supervision over the plumbing construction in new houses, he regrets that the municipal authorities are without power to appropriately dea! with the defective plumbing arrangements in houses erected before the plumbing regula- tions were enacted. ‘The Commissioners hope the necessary authority will be granted, «INSPECTORS AND MEASUPERS OF FIREWOOD, There are two insvectors and measurers of wood landed and soid in the District for fuel purposes, The inspector for the Anacostia and eastern portion of Washington reports that he in- spected 6,165 cords at 9 cents per cord, The inspector for the Rock Creek district, Including the western portion of Washington and the city of Georgetown, reports that he in- spected 4,319 cords in Washington at 9 cents per cord and 4,000 cords in Georgetown at 10 cents per cord. INSPECTORS AND WEIGHERS OF FUEL. The inspector and weigher of fuel is an offi- cer who was appointed by the predecessors of the present Commissioners in response toa requirement of the then first controller of the treasury, under section 3711 of the Re- vised Statutes of the United States, which re- quires that all coal and wood for the public service, before delivery, shall be weighed or measured by such an officer. ‘The incumbent of the office reports the in- spection by him of 4,1473¢ tons of coal and 15,212 cords cf wood, for which he was paid at the rate of 20 cents per ton for coal and 9 cents per cord for wood, INSPECTORS OF FLOUR, There are two inspectors of flour, who report that they respectively inspected flour manu- factured in or brought into the District as follows: 153,705 barrels at 1 cent. Receipts for drawings of flour. Total receipts. ... Expenses $80 per month. Net... re 50,470 barrels at 1 cent...... Receipts for drawings of flour. Total receipts. Expenses...., Net... $504.70 312.92 $817.62 338, $478.72 COMMISSIONERS OF FLOUR INSPECTION. There are three commissioners of flour in- spection, whose duty it isto fix the standard for grades of flour and decide disputes where the quality of flour is called into question. ‘They report that no necessity for their sery- ices arose during the year. SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES, The sealer of weights and measures reports the receipts and expenditures of his office during the fiscal year to have been $2,606.65 and 2636.50, respectively. HARBOR MASTER, The harbor master renews his recommenda- tion for better laws pertaining to the use of the harbor, His views are represented by H.R. 9630 of the last Co: The t this mee: oS a law nine to teenies of recommended, INSPECTORS OF LUMBER, execution of m work. amount ‘work required to be fone by the ditfenny ions is not uniform throughout the too dullest power shoud be detail clerks ‘The Commissioners recently had occasion to pass upon the complaintofa citizen that the work of constructing a street railway was prosecuted on Sunday. An examination of the statutes failed to lose any existing general law pro- hibiting such yyment The Commis- sioners believe that escular occupations should not be allowed on Sunday and they recota- mend the enactment of a law in with that sentiment. ‘WATER DEPARTMENT, During the year a total length of 67,982 feet of cast-iron pipe was laid, varying in size from 8 to 24 inches in diameter. This is about three times the aggregate laid during the preceding year and exceeds the number of feet laid in any year siuce 1872. q l4th-street main, which now affords fairly satisfactory pressures to Southwest Wash- ington, was completed at an expense of $27,- 542.78. Under existing law this entire sum is chargeable against the water revenue of the current year, which will cause great inconven- ience by preventing the laying of service mains where they have been applied for. itis very desirable that the law should be modified 80 that half this cost may be charged against the water revenues of 1891. The fixed charges for interest and sinking fund now aggregate somewhat more than one- half the anuual income of the water fund from all sources, With all these obligations the water department will be able to do little more than maintain and keep in repair the ex- isting system of distribution. Legislation is urgently needed to relieve the water department of these fixed charges so that it may under- take necessary improvements and extensions, The Commissioners renew tue recommenda- tion submitted in their last annual report that they be empowered by legislation to lay mains and order the assessment of the water-main tax as in their discretion may best meet the needs of the public service. The operations of the water department dur- ing the yeur are given in detail in the report of Capt. James L. Lusk, corps of engineers, which is appended hereto, SEWERAGE, The modern part of the sewer system suc- cessfully cndured the severe trials of the heavy Spring rain talis, The unusual amount of material washed into the large sewers and the James Creek canal produced flooding during the summer. The accumulations were re- moved so far as possible as soon as funds became available, About 20,000 feet of old pipe sewers should be replaced as soon as funds ‘become available. This work is even more necess: tension of the sewer system, since many obstructed sewers are in densely populated dis- tricts where the drainage is detective. The appropriation tor the prepuration of plans for sewage disposal, made in the appro- Priation act of 1849, could not be wholly ex- pended during the jast fiscal year. for reasons fully stated in Cupt. Lusk’s report. About one- half remained unexpended, and, under the de- cision of the accounting officers, had to be covered into the Treasury, The plans and {estimates are therefore delayed and their scope much limited. Fortunately, a board of | eminent civil and sanitary engineers, appointed by the President, is now engaged in studyia the whole sewerage question, and the disposal ot sewage will be necessarily included in its in- vestigation, ry than the ex- STREET LIGHTING. The number of gas lamps in service at tho end of the fiscal year was 4,941. The number of new lamps lighted during the year was 433, Tho temporary use of oil lamps in localities whore gas mains have not yet been laid has been coutinued witi: satiefactoi its. The total number employed was 174. The muui- cipal lighting east “of Rock creek has been maintained in a highly satisfactory manner. ‘The municipal electric arc lights are now all operated by underground conductors in accord- ance with law. The number now employed is 181, It should be increased to 203, for reasons stated in Capt. Lusk’s report. INSPECTOR OF GAS AND METERS. ‘This officer has performed his duties effi- ciently during the year, The details of his work will be found in his report, which is appended hereto, SURVEY OF THE DISTRICT. Tho rainy weather of the spring and early summer so greatly retarded the ontdoor work that it will be impossible to complete this sur- vey during the current fiscal year. ‘Tho super- intendent of the coast aud geodetic survey, under whose direction the work is executed, estimates that 10.000 will complete the original project and make a good beginuing on that portion of the old District which was receded to Virginia, INSPECTOR OF ASPHALT AND CEMENTS, The report of this officer contains valuable and interesting details of tests and analyses of materials of construction, and water from wells, springs, reservoirs and mains. A systematic course of tests of cements has been instituted which will insure gre€ter regularity in the quality of these materials, STREET PAVEMENTS, During the past year the pavements laid have consisted of granite block, asphalt on bitu- minous base, asphalt on hydraulic base, coal tar distillate and asphalt block. Only afew squares of the coal tar distillate have been laid, 4s it is not considered as satisfactory as the as- phalt pavement. The experiment of laying a sheet pavement on old rabble or cobbie asa base has been tried with apparent success. If it proves satisfactory after extended trial it will result in a large saving to the District, The nature, distribution and cost of the va~ rious street improvements made during the year and the schedule of streets to be improved during the current year, selected by the former board of Commissioners, are given in detail in Capt. Symons’ Bees A change has also been made in the method of grading and regulating streets, which will also result in a great saving. Heretofore this work nas consisted in the construction of a sidewalk, curb, gutter and gravel roadway, The curb is now temporarily omitted and for the gravel roadway a macadam roadway is sub- stituted of such grade and form as to make it a pryper base for a future asphalt surface, The expense of construction is not increased and a better temporary roadway is obtained, while the cost of the permanent pavement is much diminished. The schedule of streets recommended for im- provement has beer prepared with great care and atter thorough consideration, Upon the recommendation of the engineer department the general schedule has been abolished. The total amount recommended tor appropriation is $854,450. This amount has been divided among the different sections of the District after due consideration of the taxable valua- tions, areas, population andareas of streets not finally improved. In selecting streets for im- provement those streets have been given the preference which were in the schedule of last year, but which were not improved because the appropriation was insufficient. The sched- ule finally adopted is appended to this report, PERMIT SYSTEM, Under the appropriation for permit work some of the most valuable improvements are executed. Alleys are paved. sidewalks are constructed, repaired and replaced, and minor sewers are laid, to the great advantage both of residents and the District. The Commissioners earnestly recommend the appropriation of the full amount asked for. A mucl sum could be expended wish great benefit, A considerable portion of the permit fund EXTENSION OF STREETS AND AVENUES, The attention of Congress is earnestly invited to the necessity for immediate 8, 4 : cr g : i F ? : g : BE i i § 54 i J i i t i ! & i il i H i E ie 23 He Ht B away Capt 1 my in a peter been g i Virginia shore had settled, » por- tion of the lower masonry of the pier as been carried away, The cavity was filled wit quick-setting Portland cement concrete, the work being done 4 divers under supervision of Mr. C. B. Hunt, civil se greene Finally 952 tons of rip-rap were placed about pq Lgetivcl palpi as as ever. The Woodley Lane bridge over Rock Creek, for which 35.000 was appropriated by Congress last year, has been completed under a very ad- vantageous contract with the Groton bridge company. STREET RAILWATS. A provision in the last appropriation act authorized the etreet railway companies to sub- stitute for horses other motive power, under certain conditions, and required them to intro- duce modern grooved rails within a fixed k eriod. This bas had an excellent effect. The Washington and Georgetown railroad company has now under construction a first-class cable road on 7th street from the arsenal to the Boundary. The company has also replaced the | old center-bearing stringer raiis with grooved girder rails on Pennsylvania avenue from ist to lith streets, and 15th street from Pennsyl- Vania avenue to New York avenue, On April 19, 1889, the Commissioners adopted an order prohibiting the laying of cobble-stone pave- ments between rails or tracks on any street pied or ordered to be paved, aud required Belgian blocks or, in lieu thereof, concrete | Pavement. This is in accordance with the best modern practice. | “The electric street railway of the Eckington | and Soldiers’ Home company has proved a very decided success, Up to the present time no | satisfactory underground electric railway sy: | tem hns been introduced, and the Commissio: | ers are of the opinion that of all the existing systems the center-pole system, such as is used | | by this company, which removes the conductors | from the vicinity of trees and footways, is | safest and most satisfactory. Wherever over- head wires are employed this arrangement should be insisted upon, both for safety and appearance, except when the carriageway has not sufficient width. The Tenleytown railway, wiich is now under constriction, will be ‘operated by elec- | | ae: upon the same system as the Eckington row STEAM RAILROADS, The Commissioners again invite attention to the unsettled condition of affairs with respect to steam railroads, The rapid growth of the city renders increased facilities necessary for | the transaction of railway business, aud the de- struction of the Chesapeake and Ohio canal has | thrown a heavy additional burden upon the | railroads, Itis urged that some general plan | should be adopted at an early day to regulate | the granting of further nece: Pxtensions: and privileges and to protect the interests of the pecpie, THE PARKING COMMISSIO The removal of the wooden tree-boxes and their replacement by wire netting where needed have been continued, The business of } caring for the trees and planting new ones has been conducted by the commission with wis- dom and ability. “The work of the commission is given in detail in its report, which is ap- peuded hereto. SURVEYOR'S OFFICE. This office is supported by fees, which in the aggregate are not sufficient to pay expenses and properly preserve the records. The latter, which are of great value, are old and becoming much worn from constant use by title search- ers, They should be copied, indexed aud care- | fully preserved. ihe Commissioners believe it to be greatly in the public interest that the surveyor should be made # saluried officer of the District, the regular appropriation and the fees eollected to be turned into the general revenues, The | office could thus be properly provided for and maintained as an office of record, As the existing system is established by law new lagislation is necessary for the proposed changes, i BOARD OF EXAMINERS OF STEAM ENGINEERS. This board has performed its duties up to the present time without compensation. The Com- missioners have renewed the estimate sub- mitted last year to compensate the board, to record its transuctions aud to provide necessary stationery. The act of February 28, 1887, under which this board performs its dutics, should be «o amended as to provide for its entorcement when its requirements are not complied with, The labors of the board have been of great value, but with an amended law much more Satisfactory results can be obtained. ROCK CREEK PARK. The project for the establishment of a public park in the valley of Rock creck has bee brought to the attention of Congress many times during the past twenty years. The loca- tion referred to is most adm ly adapted to this purpose and the Commissioners recom- mend that provision be made without delay to secure the necessary ground before the diffi- culty and expense thereof is greatly increased by the subdivision of the region. A commence- ment of this much desired work has been al- ready authorized bya provision in the appro- priation act of 1889 establishing a zoological park in the country along Rock creek, but the Commissioners are of the opinion that the in- terests of the public require that this project should be much extended. They earnestly rec- ommend the eof the bill introduced in the House of Goorencniatives by Mr. Hemphill January 14, 1889 (Thirtieth Congress, second session, H. R., 12136), or some similar legisla- tion. ROCK CREEK TUNNEL. The project for the construction of a tunnel in the valley of Rock creek between Lyons’ mill and Pennsylvania avenue has been repeat- edly recommended to Congress by the District government. The Commissioners renew this recommendation, as they consider the work proposed of great importance and value to the cities of Washington and Georgetown. UNDERGROUND WIRES, During the year preceding November 1, 1839, the United States electric lighting company placed under ground 14 miles of are light con- ductor, During the same period the Chesa- peake and Potomac telephone company in- creased its mileage of underground conductor by 19.2 miles, while the Postal Telegraph eable company constructed a new underground con- duit from 14th and T streets northwest along T street to 6th and Boundary streets, and re- newed its conduit along 14th street ‘west with its connections, It is suggested that the telegraph companies be given one year to place all their wires under ground, and that after the lapse of this time they be required to pay a license fee of $25 per annum for each pole maintained within the city 8. Very respectfully. sd J. W. Doverass, L. G. Hrxe, Cuartes W. Rarwonp, Commissioners District of Columbia, portant te THE DISTRICT CHARITIES, A Supplementary Report Made by the Commissioners. The Commissioners submitted with their annual report to the President a supplemental report respecting District charities, as follow: To the President. Sir: eluded under the heads of schools expenses of his office to be provided for by | }, This institution has furnished through ite inmates 27,069 days’ work on municipal im- provements, during the yea hich, if rated at @laday, represents that amount saved to the public and shows that the institution cone tributes largely to its own maintenance. The femaie inmates of the institution also contributed largely to its support by the man- ufacture of articles of clothing for the mmates, During the paren, conside rable public at tention has nm called to this institution, which has grown to be a large and important feature of the District government. The Srowth and consequent importance of this in- stitation call for considerable additions to the Permanent facilitics and a suitable increase of the annual ay pryPriation for current expenses, as recommended, The Washington asylum is the only charit- abie and reformatory mstitution solely under municipal control.” The total amount exti- mated for is $100,250. The item: difference between this estimate and the appropriatos for 18% are 1, Incr: of ope overse This increase is rendere normal enlargement of the institution. 2. One watchman at $365 has been added for same reason, & The pay of the two female keepers at the work house has been increased $60 per atmum each, which is not more than as required to se- cure persons competent for the y. 4. Pour cook* at $120 per annum each are estimated for instead of two at $120 and three at Si60. 5. One ambulance driver at #900. This duty has heretofore been performed by the hostler, but the growth of the institution renders @ ssary. ned nurse at €480. There has been a grow wssity for more intelligent super- Vision over the nurse department of the hospital for some years, owing to the increase in the r of patients and the character of their eer at €800 per annum, d necessary by the s. tailor at $300 per annum, contingent expenses are estimated at $45,000 instead of $40,000, New appropriations are estimated for as fol- lows: $20,000 to raise one of the magazine build- ings two stories higher and fit it up for a female work house, The present accommodations are entirely inadequate for the proper c and treatment of this class of pris 5.850 is estimated for to enable the authori- ties to constract an addition, with bathing ap- pliances, to the male work house. The absence of these facilities has been a reproach to the institution, 200 is estimated for enclosing the grounds with a high board fence, not only for the par- pose of excludin: Sspassers, but for the pur- pose of preventing the escape of prisoners and the straying of fecble-minded inmates, $2,700 ix estimated for to construct # build- ing in which to temporarily detain allege lunatics undergoing judicial examination with @ view of deciding the question of their lunacy, $4,200 for new ward. REFORM SCHOOL, The reform school of the District of Colam- bia te managed by a board of trustees, ap- pointed by the President of the United States, with the exception of one member, who is a member ex-ofticio by reason ot his being one of the Commissioners of the District of Colam- bia. ‘The Commissioners’ estimates for this instie tution for 1892 differ in several roepects from the appropriation tor 1890, as follows: 1. Three foremen of work shops at £1,500 per annum, to be apportioned as the board of trustees may deem advisable. This is designed. to enable the authorities to diversify the kinds of work at which the inmates are employed, The superintendent of the chair shop has been dispensed with because this character of work cau no longer be profitably done at this instuta- tion, Six watchmen are estimated for at €1.400 instead of five at $1,140. ‘The increase ix asked because of the constant illance necessary to prevent the development aud practice of pernicious habits common boys of the character committed to this institution, as well as to properly guard the property of the insti- tution, ‘New appropr timated for as For maintaining and improving the roadway and approaches, inciuding grading aud drain- 00, The completion of one brick boiler house, ons for improvements are cs- ws: 0. 1© 100-horse power 1 for steam hewtii quired as an altern suse Of the other for r Sieum fittag, steam nections for the old f This building is now are out of order, and i» desiral apartments should be heated by steam, Parchase of machinery and wols for mechan- ical industries, $3,000, 's. $2,000. . with connection i his boiler e boiler in case ip mils building, $1,500, sted by furnaces, Wikich Two brick water civs Painting buildings aud barns, €1,000, INDUSTRIAL HOME sito This institution is managed solely by a pri- vate corporation, The grounds aud buildings occupied by it are owned by the District of Co- lumbia. The Commissioncre estimate €15,000 as the amount that should be appropriated for 1891. SUPPORT OF THE INSANE. The District is required by law to pay one- half of the cost of the support of patients sent to the asylum by the municipal authorities, The Commissioners estimate for this institue tion for 1891 37,500. as »ecommended by the board of visitors of said i cspital on page 19 of their annual report for 1889. RELIEF OF THE PooR. The Commissioners estimate $16,000 for this purpose for it9l. This amount was appropri- ated for 1890. Previous to the last your €15,- 000 was provided for this purpose to make available the #7,500 annually received as a franchise rental from the Washington market company for the occupation of the site of the buildings corner 7th street and Pennsylvania avenue, This fund is apportioned by the Com- missioners for distribution through the police and health officers for supplies, medicines and medical attendance to the out-door poor, and other small sums to private organizations adapted to extend the object for which this ap- propriation is made. COLUMBIA HOSPITAL FOR WOMEN. The Commissioners estimate $20,000 for this institution for 1891, ‘The Commissioners estimate for the follow- ing institutions the amouuts set opposite to their names as the nearest estimates they can make based on the amounts that should be al- lowed to these institutions in view of the serv- ices they render to the public and the amount of revenue available for charitable purposes: Temporary home for soldiers and sail- ors, G.A.R., District of Columbia. Young women’s Christian hom Woman's Christian temperance Woman's Christian association. . National associution for destitute color women and children. Children’s hospital St. Ann's infant asylum St Rose industrial school. German orphan asylum’ (providell furnishes 4 like amount). oo Church orphanage association of St John's parish, D. ; 4,500 Washington hospital for foundiings...... 7,000 Association for works of mercy.......... 2,500 National Homeopathic hospital mssocia- tion of Washington... = 6.000 House of the Good Shepherd 000 National temperance home Central dispensary and 1 pital. Little ho ht lodging house... Columbia institute for the 2 en Te parted these institutions, except- a the Washington asylum, the Continissioners have to rely almost entirely upon the reports made by ofticers of such institutions, as they have not had the time to give them the personal surveillance nor the means to employ jaalified subordinate to obtain data neces to arrive at an accurate idea of their work- and requirements. So far as their observa- pf efer nr are of s te £ z BE af 3 asi