The critic. (Washington, D.C.) 1890-1891, 1891-03-19
FROM THE DISTRICT CAPITOL.



politan Police Force was received by the
Commissioners to-day The resignation
was the result of charges of intoxication
preferred on March 10. Major Moore, in
n letter accompanying the resignation,
calls attention to the recommendation
which he made to the Commissioners
about ten days ago. In this communica-
ton the Major suggested that the Commits
sioners should look into the matter of
policemen resigDing in order TO anticipate
dismissal. In many cases they applied
for places on the force as special officers
relying upon the statements which they
make themselves and not upon the true
facts in the case.
THE OHE-MILE LIMrT.--Mr. Leon Tobri-
ner, on behalf of number of clients who
are affected by some suggestions as 10 the
interpretations to be given to the act APP
proved February % last prohibiting the
granting of liquor licenses within one
mile Of the Soldiers Home, to-day sub
mitted brief of arguments against the
law. He states that there is no license
for the sale of intoxicating liquors rccog
nized by our law, but there is for
bar.rooms, sample-lrooms or tippling
based upon the intention of the law
makers that the act in question can be
construed as prohibiting the granting of a
license to the proprietor of bar or SAM
pie room within one mile of the Soldiers
Home. The act becomes more ambiguous
when the prescribed places are defined TO
be within one mile Of the Soldiers Home
property in the District of Columbian
and the question then arises rs to what
shall be the beginning point of the one
mile measurement. While the body of
the act is ambiguous the title is admitted
TO be plain indication Of the
intent Of the Legislature in its
enactment. IL was the intention of the
Legislature to compel an inmate of the
Soldiers Home to walk mile before he
would reach place where liquor is sold,
II being supposed by Congress (Which as
n Legislative body Is not supposed to know
or be informed of the distance that q
man will walk to obtain drink that the
intervention of such distance would be
sufficient restraint-in other words, the
object of the act was the protection of the
inmates of the Soldiers Home.
The attorney contends that the act
refers TO the Soldiers Home buildings
aud not the boundary of the property as
the starting point from which the mile is
to be measured. Upon this point he
quotes Mr.. Endlich. In conclusion, he
says II the Board of Commissioners is adj
verse to his contention as to the starting
point for the measurement of the mile,
there still remains the question of meas
NiNinNnt Wy liuC VI ny lOdu INT.
~ have not as yet learned" he says,
that the inmates Of the Soldiers Home
are in the habit of using air lines, but still
| confipe themselves to the roads; nor is it to
be presumed that they will commit tres
| pass on private grounds for the purpose
| Of reaching liquor establishment but
| will coniine themselves to the roads, using
the exits from the Soldiers Home, so that
| in light of the fact that it was the inten-
| ton of the Legislature to compel the in
mates to walk mile to get their toddv il
| is to be presumed that measurements will
be made by the usual course of travel"
The brief will be filed with that sub.
mitted few days ago by Messrs. Madigan
and Thomas and will be sent to District
| Attorney Hazleton to consider in his
| opinion.
Mn. ENTwIsLr's CoNrEnENoE.-Insp
of Buildings Entwsle had a long con-
morning, regarding the new building
| regulations. The question of vaults, on
| which the Engineer Commissioner pro-
| tested, was discussed. II was decided to
refer the matter to Captain Lusk, who will
confer with Mr.. Entwisle, In order to ar.
| rive at some decision, which will be sub.
mitted to Colonel Robert for his consld
Grafton.
| PRESIDENT GRIswoLD's COMPLAINT
| IiSniuCnt oiloWOiu VI iHt <AnuCbstiu uitt
| Potomac Railroad Company has written
| to the Commissioners stating that in a
few days the company would apply for q
| permit to build it's line on Second stree,
southwest. Their engineer has called at
tention to the north track of the Balti
more and Potomac Railroad OH Virgini,
avenue being below the grade Of the other
tracks: 1t is important that the. truck.
should be ON a level with the crossing ant
the Commissioners are requested to have
the Baltimore and Potomac rectify theii
tracks. An order to that effect will bs
issued by the Commissioners.
| The MATTER OF A CHURCH TAx.--The
vestry of the Church of the Epiphany
have written to the Commissioners re
| questing information in relation to prop
erty in South Washington recently pur
chased by them for strictly charitable
purposes. They have sold the propert,
ON Maryland avenue, between Twelfth
and Thirteenth streets, on which chape
and mission house now stands, and will b'
occupied until October 81 1891. II is TIL,
purpose OF the vestry to build mission
house at the corner Of Twelfth and
streets southwest, and they ask that 1t bt
sexempted from taxation after July, 1891
The property will be exempted by til,
Commissioners under certain conditions
Mr.. DoSAHoE's LAMEyr.-Complaint Ina!
been received by the Commissioners from
John +. Donahoe of the bad condition o
First street, between ID and North Caro-
lima avenue southeast.
STILL IN rpEToiLs OF THE GRIr.-Com
missioner Douglass Is still confined to hi
heme with the grip. He was better to
day and will probably be at his office to
morrow.
Bruce LOOMING FOR A JoB.--Recorder o
Deeds Bruce was at the District Buildin,
this morning to look after q place in thu
District Government for friend. ~