The Washington times., 1894-10-21
CONCERNS OF THE DISTRICT.
Commissioners Exclude the Public on
neutrality-suspicious. by Attorney
Thomas-Ordcrs Issued.

dnyS-OpiniOuS by Attorney
Thomas-Orders issued.
In order that they may have one day in
which to give uninterrupted attention to the
public business, the Commissioners yesterday
issued an order that hereafter they will not
be accessible to the public on Saturdays.
Upon Mrs. Ellen HefIerman's complaint Of
the condition OF the parking in front of No.
I4OO Twelfth street northwest. and her re-
quest that Otto Rupert be required to put
the parking in good condition, Attorney
Thomas decides that there is no law under
which such requirement can be made of Mr..
Rupert.
The owners or occupants of property front
ing on such parks are given the immediate
care of same, and in this case Rupert has oc-
cupied the space the same as other merchants.
More than one-half of the space devoted to
parking is paved and the remaining portion
has had no grass upon it for years. Viola
tions of the law can be punished through the
police court.
Charles Dismer was recently ordered by the
building inspector. upon complaint of his
neighbor, Mrs. Hoover, to remove his frame
house on lot +. in square north Of square sos.
back to the east line of private alley in said
square, and Dismer appealed. The case was
referred to Attorney Thomas, and yesterday
his opinion was filed.
He says if, as alleged, the buildidg has
occupied the same site for twenty years. Dis
mer cannot be divested of the title to possess
sion TO the extent of the encrOachment the
precedent cited being judicially established
in case of Neale VS.. Lee. d. c., 3.
Mr. Thomas saws however that the Issue
between the disputants is one that should be
decided by the courts.
In the opinion of the attorney for the Dis
trict the Commissioners have no authority to
establish additional hay scales, even when
''it is proposed 10 give the scales to the Dis
trict without cost or expense"
The opinion was rendered upon an appi-
cation OF d. j. Andrews for the establishment
OF hay scales on BrightTOod avenue, near
Florida avenue, on the site formerly occupied
by hay scales.
The attorney reviews the laws Of the late
corporation of Washington, refers to the act
of January 10, 1872, and defines the powers
to which the present District government sue
ceeded, coming to the conclusion above
noted.
Building Inspector EntWisie sent letter to
the Commissioners yesterday, responding to
the criticisms of C. +. Hamilton, in which he
says substantially that ire-escapes were or
coran buildings, respectively, prior to the
date of the criticisms and that they are now
being erected; that the Globe building IS not
occupied above the second floor. and 1t was
not considered necessary TO have flre-escapes
erected, and that the charge that buildings
are not properly inspected is not borne out by
the facts
With the small force at his command he has
vigorously pushed inspections over the wide
field under his charge. but the great need is
for larger force OF inspectors.
The Washington Gaslight Company will
comply with the request of the Commission
ers for the laying of gas mains in S street,
Bancroft place and Connecticut avenue as
soon as practicable. preparatory to the paw
ing of said streets, and tho Commissioners
were so notified yesterday.
The Commissioners have been authorized
by Chief of Engineers Casey to tap the
twelve-inch water main in the Conduit road
at Elliott Place and to make six-inch main
connection herewith.
George G. Gorham obtained permit yes
terday for improvements to dwelling at No.