Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-12-01

Columbia, which provides that s'no person shall
be appointed as policeman or watchman who
has not served in the army or navy Of the
United States and received an honorable dis.
charge" The reasons which led to the enact.
ment Of this law, so far Is it is applicable to the
appointment Of policemen, have ceased to ex-
list. No survivor Of the civil war can now be
appointed. The applicant for appointment
who conforms to the prescribed requirements
as to age could not have been more than thir-
teen years old at the close Of the war. The law
unnecessarily limits the number Of eligibles,
debars many worthy young men who are in
every way fitted for this important service and
has rendered it difficult to maintain that high
standard OF intelligence and efficiency which
should characterize the police force of the
District.
TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE SERVICE.
The recommendations Of the superintendent
Of this service. that provision be made for put
ting the municipal wires underground, and for
the renewal and enlargement Of the plant of that
branch Of the District government, are COM
mended to the favorable action of Congress.
Attorney.-The attorney furnishes a synopsis
OF the business Of his Office during the year and
makes valuable suggestions, looking to the bet
ter administration Of justice in cases now fall
ing under the jurisdiction Of the Police Court
Police Court Business.-The Commissioners
concur in the suggestions Of the attorney for
the District and of the judge Of the Police
Court, that there should be appointed three po-
lice magistrates, who should have jurisdiction
in inferior violations Of local ordinances. with
the right Of appeal to the Police Court on cases
of fines Of go and upward. Also in the recon-
mendations Of said officials that the Police
Court should have Jury whose findings should
be final, except in cases where writ OF error
To the Supreme Court Of the District should be
deemed proper.
INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS.
The ipunacfnr Of 1,pildiuna ran,.x. A. L =.
has issued 1924 permits for the erection and re-
pairs OF buildings and additions during the
year, at an estimated valuation Of S7,752. 733.
year; TBS Of these permits were for the erec-
ton Of new brick dwellings and 2S8 for new
frame dwellings,. The total revenue of the Of
fee for the year was S12, 1881.
The Inspector states that the services Of addi-
tional assistants are necessary to secure proper
inspection Of buildings in course of erection
and repair. The increase in the amount of
building requires corresponding increase in
the inspectors force, ii the work is to be
properly supervised, and the public interests
should not be jeopardized by inadequate pro-
vision for such official surveillance.
Inspector Of Elevators.--Ihe provision for
compensation Of inspector of elevators has
enabled the Commissioners to give due atten-
ton to the condition and management of the
elevator plants in the District. They are adj
vised that the services OF that official have al
ready caused a marked improvement in many
cases with corresponding increse in the COM
fort and safety Of those by whom such ap-
plinnces are used.
Coroner.-The coroner reports that he GER
titled to deaths which occurred under circum-
stances requiring his official action as follows:
Suicides, -; homicides. %; accidents and
negligence, l76; disease, 331; total, $40.
HEALTH OFFICE.
Tho health oA;na ro,,,<. z ecS
the year, 2,934 Of which were white and 1850
cOlored. This exceeded the number of the pre-
ceding year by 412. The death rate was II. 258
per 900 per annum for the white and 80 S75
for the colored. The increase is attributable
partly to the augmentation of population, but
more to the prevalence Of the epidemic Of in
huenza and its sequela. which scourged the Dis
trict In common with all other portions Of the
globe. The death rate of the District is also
abnormally augmented by the decease of in
vaiids. who, in travelling to and from the south,
temporarily sojourn at the capital for rest or
diversion.
Inspector Of Plumbing.-The Commissioners
commend to the favorable consideration Of
Congress the recommendation of the inspector
OF plumbing for the enactment of a law to au-
thorize the inspection of plumbing in old
houses and the making of proper regulations
on the subject also for the examination and
restriction of plumbers and the due regulation
OF their business in the interest of public health
and convenience.
Miscellaneous Reports.-The Commissioners
also invite attention to the appended reports
OF the inspectors Of lumber, fire wood, fuel
Hour, the commissioners of -four inspection,
the market masters. the sealers Of weights and
and of the harbOr master.
REVENUES OF THE DISTRICT.
BY reason Of the estimated insuficiency of
the revenues Of the District for the next ascal
year to meet all the needs of the local govern
ment together with the extraordinary ex-
penditures involved in the creation Of the
geological Park and the construction Of the new
were necessarily omitted from the estimates
OF said fiscal year. Among them may be named
the pavement OF many of the most important
thorOughfares in the District; the construction
OF many sewers which are essential to the
preservation Of public health, and notably the
completion Of the east boundary sewer, twenty
two feet in diameter, which now terminates
with no outlet except upon private property
near the Eastern branch, and which constitutes
a serious menace to the health of the people
residing in that vicinity; the extension OF the
streets and avenues of the city to the boundaries
of the District; reform school for girls, which
is required by every dictate of humanity; more
and better fire engines; a largely increased
police force; new District building; many
new sidewalks some increased salaries for
overworked and underpaid employees of the
District government, and a respectable exhibit
Of the growth and resources Of the District Of
Columbia at the worlds Columbian exposition.
NEW GENERAL. ASSESSMENT.
The Commissioners believe that the speediest
and best remedy that can be provided in the
present emergency would be new assessment
OF all taxable property in the District to be
made by three permanent assessors ut salaries
OF -, 500 each per annum such new assessment
to be made during the spring and summer of
1881 and every two years thereafter, the first
OF said assessments to constitute the basis for
the collection of all taxes for the year ending
June 80, 1892. The valuation placed upon real
estate IL the District by the last general ASSESS
ment constituted neither a fair nor an eauita-
BILE basis for the collection OF taxes and the
same should be revised and corrected without
delay.
A bill embodying the views Of the Commits
sioners will be presented to Congress at an early
day. In order to derive the full benefit Of the
legislation it should receive very early
attention from Congress in order that the per-
assessors may begin their work not
later than March, 1891.
GEOLOGICAL PARK AND WATER MAIN
The financial resources of the District were
much curtailed by the appropriation made in
the acts of March 2, 1885, and April 50.
1890, Of $292, 900 for the establishment OF
. Geological Park in the District of Column
bia and by an appropriation in the gen.
eral deficiency bill-approved the same date
for s575,0OO to Lay a forty-eight inch main, with
connections. one-half Of the cost of
trict derived from taxes on private property
and privileges. So far as the Commissioners
are advised. it is the general opinion that the
private property OF the District should not be