National Republican., 1881-07-14
THE DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS.
Current Transactions al the Various Dis.
trlct Offices,

Health Officer Townshend has been
making an inspection o, the city post office, on
Louisiana avcnue, with n view to nSCcrtGining tie
source Of certain Offensive odors arising from the
basemcntofthe building during the morning hours
In his report on the subject, submitted to the chief
clerk of the post Office he states that the architect
in planning the building failed to provide for the
introduction of fresh air and the renewal of that
rendered foul in the lower apartments The
trouble seems to be lack of proper ventilation of
rooms on the basement hoOr nnd, for various
reasons, the air confined In this portion of the
building becomes vltiatcd AS soon as the
upper rooms are opened the stairways become
ducts for transmitting this foul air into the upper
apartments of the building He also states that
basement has become the receptacle for much filth
and debris thrown into It from above. The store.
rooms on the basement floor Rre filed with musty
Accommodations, Ashes and refuse are piled up in
out of the way corners the water. closets are stu.
ated In dark, unyentilatcd spots, and mould and
dampness generally prevail. lie recommends for
the improvement Of the sanitary condition of the
building that the bulls.eye skyliehts in the pave.
mentS on Louisiana avenue and street DC
removed and the substitution 81 an open grating
in order TO provide for the ingrcss and cgrcss
of the largest possible quantity of fresh air. the
removal ofthe present water closets which are to bC
replaced by flush tanks and their location changed
10 osomc other point where light and airwi be better
available, The defects in the waste and water
pipes should be remedied and all the floors thor.
oughly cleanScd OF surface filth, refuse, and debris
To aid in remedying these evils he further recon-.
mends the use of n solution of sulphate of iron
(copperas), two pounds to gallon Of water, and tC
this add a small quantity of earbolic acid, the
concrete flooring to be scrubbed and the unpayet
portion saturated with the solution.
The committee to open and schedule bids fol
paving and improving certain portions of South
Washington have submitted their report to the
Engineer Commissioner. Edward Lynch was the
lowest bidder, at s,3s057, Tor paving Virginia ave
nue. from Ninth 10 Twelfth streets southwest, and
Hines & Cudmorc, at s92SS.5i, for paving Four
and n.half strectfrom Maryland avenue to stree
southwest. Their bid however, was informal, no
being made out on the proper blanks, ana the mex
lowest bidder Is =. Mal0ney, at s9,37I.5l,
Building permits have been granted to S. !.
Phillips, New Hampshire avenue, between )
street and Dupont Circle three story brick dwell
ing, $1,000 i, l.. Moore, corner Congress ant
Canal streets, Georgetown brick warehouse, 81 200
George u. Timms, corner Seventh and street,
northwest, TO make certain necessary improve
ments to his clothing house, 5000, and l.. n
Cooper, ll3 Eleventh street northwest repairs t
dwelling, SlOJ
The report Of the Health Officer for the wecl
ended July O. 1851, shows the mortality to have
bcen llG; births, SO, and marriages :.