Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-02-08

Tho interview with Ex- Commissioner Phelps In
another column throws considerable light upon
the question how to exc the water supply until
the completion OF the new aqueduct works. 1t Is
evident that the present supply would be adequate
10 the pressing needs of the public II some means
Could be adopted for stopping the shameful and
selfish waste OF water going on night and day
through thousands OF open spfgots in the great
department buildings, and In hotels. restaurants
ard private houses throughout the city. Capt
Hoxie's report that this waste is nearly as great
BY night as by day can be readily verified by the
personal observation or any taking the trouble
TO listen to the thunderous of the waste water
rushing down the sewers all through the night
and at hours when the water is not used at all
TO the wretehed scamp plumbing so prevalent,
not only In cheapy built houses, but In many that
are pretentiously costly in other respects much of
this waste is also due The fact stated by Capt
Phelps, that the selfish people who allow the
water to run on their premises at night are
thereby introducing the fatal sewer gas into their
sleeping rooms may perhaps induce them to stop
the Sptgots for their own safety. If they have no
regard for the interests OF others who are suffer-
ing from the waste. The suggestions made by
Capt Phelps In regard to the means OF equalizing
the water supply between the high and low levels,
seem to be worthy the attention Of the Congress
sional committee OF inquiry.
The Senate committee on pensions even before
Obtaining the Information with regard to the
charges OF claim agents for their services
1sfed that an act should be passed specifically pre-
scribng the fees that may be charged for such
services, and imposing severe penalties for VIOLA
ton or It's provisions. The attorneys and others
who engage in the business OF prosecuting and
collecting claims for pensions, bounties, etc. are
not different from other classes Of men. There
are good and bad among them, and it is noto-
rious fact that persons having such claims are
frequently deeced by shyster claim agents. It is
with the view of protecting claimants from the
extortonate charges OF this class that the Senate
has ordered an inquiry into the whole subject
The Information elected will be made the basis
Tor proper action, and the committee will en-
deavor to frame legislation that will not only pro-
tect the claimant but will allow adequate fees to
these hOnoraby engaged in the business, and
drive the shyster from the field.
Secretary Folger has recommended to Congress
measure OF practical reform and and Of substan-
ttd benefit to the taxpayers. 1t is that consol-
dalton Of customs districts shall be made in SEC
lions where the imports amount to very little. In
this way many useless oficials, now drawing lib
eTai salaries for merely nominal duties, can be
dispensed with. There are quite q number OF
collection districts In which the receipts amount
only 10 few dollars per year; yet they have been
continued and maintained because these positions
were useful to politicians The statement of the
Secretary OF the Treasury, that certain OF these
districts can be merged into Others thus reducing
expenses without impairing the service, cannot
be ignored or passed over by Congress- especially
BY Congress that has to move in the line OF re-
form In view of the coming presidential election.
The defense OF the naval cadets at Annapolis,
addressed to the public and published In the
newspapers, is rather lame. 1t Is g virtual con-
fesson that the cadets were guilty Of conduct zoe
only disrespectful to the o1cers In charge of the
academy but violatiye OF proper rules of dis.
clphne- The cheering OF cadet who had been
reouked, and to certain extent disgraced, be-
cSHse OF improper, not to say dishonorable con-
Duct, was an act OF naturalization and nothing
else can be made OF it 1t was manifestation on
the part OF the cadets OF their sympathy for their
comrade In disgrace. and was TO that extent q
defiance OF the superintendent's authority.
Mr. Blaine Is to write book, sort of political
history OF the events which occurred In the period
between 1861 and 1881. Such book would be a
valuable as well as an interesting contribution to
the literature OF the country Mr. Blaine would
De able to throw an electric light upon the inner
history OF that eventful twenty years, and unfold
interesting secrets connected with much of the
important legislation OF that period. He was a
prominent and potent factor in all the reeonstruc-
ton legislation, and can write its history better
perhaps, than any living man.
IT Is to be hoped that something to the purpose
IN the way OF relief from the evils of steam rail-
roads IN the streets Will be realized through the
Dill prepared by the District Commissioners for
shat end The people of south Washington, who
are special sufferers by this grievance, the
anxious watch for relief from some quarter.
Mr. Michael Davitt is not willing to obligste
himself to behave well towards the landlords In
Ireland That is his reason for refusing to give
Dahl He prefers Imprisonment to even the SEM
dance OF yielding to !andlordism or its powers as
represented 10 the courts of Ireland.
Geaorai Fitzhugh Lee, in an address at Brooklyn
list night sud he was convinced at Appomattox
Snat secession was not right. There were, per-
maps, a good many others convinced to the same
effect at the same time.