The Washington times. (Washington, D.C.) 1894-1895, 1894-09-28
CONCERNS OF THE DISTRICT.
Representative Bankhead Assures the
Commissioners That He Will Push the
Bill for New Municipal Building.


Bill for New Municipal Building.
The impression about the District ofices yes
terday WAS that something practical may be e1-
pected of the next session OF Congress in the
way of providing the long desired District build
ing Representative Bankhead, chairman OF tho
Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds,
called for a chat with the Commissioners, and
while there predicted that the old city hall en-
Judiciary Square would DO torn down ana ina l
structure large enough TO accommodate all OF
the courts and the District business Wou4u Do
substituted
Winston j. Edwards made application on the
24th instant for permit to enable him to con-
struct pavilion upon Champaign avenue, be-
tween California avenue and w streets north
west, and out OF this prop Jsition controversy
arose. Interested citizens vigorously protested
against its construction Building Inspector
Entwisle had previously declined TO issue In
permit upon the ground that there was not
sufficient brick-work in the building TO relieve
the structure OF classification with wooden
buildings, which are prohibited by law Upon
this point the matter was referred to the attor-
ney for the District, who rendered decision
yesterday which sustained Mr.. EntWlsle view.
Connolly Brothers, attorneys, called the at
tention OF the Commissioners yesterday TO an
alleged violation of the building regulations,
particularly of the provision relating 10 the
erection of party walls. They assert that livery
stable is now being erected by L, :. Maloney,
the westerly wall of which is party wall, par
TALLY laid upon lots 10 and II of square PSI Per-
NIT for which was obtained of Building Inspector
Kntwisle, who, IL is alleged, permitted window
openings 10 be placed in tho wall overlooking
lots 10 and IL. The attorneys further allege that
the building inspectors construction OF the law
is erroneous and at variance with the unant-
nous decisions of the courts throughout the
United States and the District of Columbia Mr..
Entwisle said yesterday that the claim oI party
wall arose from the fact that the footings under
ground projected on the adjoining lots he said
he satisfied with his decision, but II the
courts decided against him he would obey in
structions
In response TO the complaint of delay in trans
hitting automatic nre-signals on the occasion OF
the Stumph IRE, Supt. Miles, Of the telegraph
and telephone service says the alarm was re-
ceived at ll:4S a. n Immediately upon trans
mission 10 the of1lee, as stated by the Automatic
Company, and that The records show retrans-
mission 10 No company by the central Office at
1l:4s. The Automa ic Company has sent in but
four alarms-February Is, lS9l-Mr. Miles says,
and two OF these were false
Building Inspector EntwiSle has returned to
the Commissioners the application Tor the plac-
ing OF IRE escapes On the Seaton School build
ing, with the Information that steps are now be-
ing taken to have introduced nreproof stair
ways, built between trick walls, IN that build
ing, and being a school for girls exclusively,
Mr. EntWlsle believes these TO be preferable 10
outside fire escapes Two other buildings, the
Abbott and the Curtis, TO have hreproof
stairwRys, and all schoo!houses hereafter TO be
constructed will be provided with them.
The charges preferred against Pc iceman l.
c. Trimbel by Arthur H. Harris, heretofore re-
ferred 10 in 4 He TINES TO the effect that Trim
bel had fOrcibly ana maliciously trespassed
upon his premises and relnstated obIectlona Die
tenants, were referred to Attorney s. i. homas
for information touching the allegations. Mr.
Thomas has returned the papers 70 the Com
missi0ners with the statement that from his
knowledge of tho facts he believes that Harris
application for an investigation by the Commits
sioners is either the result OF ignorance or is
purely malicious
The inventors of the fender tested Wednesday
afternoon on the Brightwood line were at the
District Building yesterday TO see commissioner
Ross with regard TO the adoption Of taeir Il p
paratus There are several textures Of tEe Col
lier May fender which Dit Ross approves, al
though no is not prepared to speak OF is general
merits. While upon the subject the Cominis-
sioner expressed the opinion that the board
should have a commission OF expert mechanics
10 decide upon such matters as the one IN hand.
T. W Nicholson has been made permanent
assistant foreman of Engine Company No.
upon the recommendation Of Chief Paris, OF the
fire department
Referring TO the application for information
as TO whether the Central Union Mission will be
required TO take out dining-room icence, in
view of the fact that the business conducted by
il is not a source Of revenue. Assessor Trimb bic
reports to the Commissioners that he knows OF
no authority of law for such exemption.
Capt Powell, the District Engineer Commits
sioner, has been directed 10 appear before
board for examination, with view TO his pro-
motion to the position OF major If vacancy
should occur at any time prior to February
the promotion viii be mnde, but on that date
by the retirement OF Col COmstOck and the con-
sequent promotions OF Lieut. Col Robert and
Major Mckenzie, Capt POwelIs immediate su-
perior officers