The Washington times., 1894-11-25
CONCERNS OF TIE DISTRICT
Assessor Trimble Makes Some I'm
portant Suggestions.
INSURANCE LAWS DEFECTIVE
Contractor Thomas Must Restore the North
east Engine-hcuse to Correct Lines-Dis-
trict Bill Against the B, and 0. Railroad
Objections to Columbia z. q. Track Plans.


Commissioners yesterday Assessor Trimble
says:
'For some years past 1t has been customary
forthe Commissioners, on request Of the party
holding the tax title deed, to issue orders di-
recting this ofico to cancel all taxes due and
unpaid prior to the sale of the property, the
orders being based on the Supreme Court de-
cisions.
MANY are taking advantage OF 1t, and in
stead of paying their taxes promptly are let
ting the various payments go by default
"Under the provisions of the act approved
March 19, 1890, property which has once been
sold FOR non payment OF taxes cannot be again
a dyertised for the same tax, and consequently
when a party, other than the District, is the
purchaser the certificate OF sale is for the tax
Of one year only.
"After the lapse of two years the:purchsser
Is entitled to deed"
The assessorrecommends legislation to COR
rect the evil.
that it was ''hampered in the beginning by
antiquities requiring legal construction and
the decision of the courts, j" and the law was
partially amended.
Tho enacting or first clause of the act OF
March 8, 1s93," he says, "has been the source
of endless vexation and worry" 1t has been
''taken advantage of by those claiming eI-
emption. and ali cases referred to the legal
authorities were decided in favor OF the claim
ants"
No revenue from licenses has beon received
this year from any OF the street railways.
Repeated demands upon them have met with
no response.
The assessor recommends that legitimate
insurance companies be protected by legisla-
ton against fraudulent and illegitimate COM
petition. The laws governing life insurance
are especially defective. Assessor Trimble
suggests that every company dong business
In the District, by assessment plan or other
wise, should not only be required to have as
sets equal to its liabilities, but securities or
real estate should be secured in the name Of,
or by the District government for the benefit
of the stockholders.
The attorney for the District was directed
yesterday by the Commissioners to prepare
letter notifying Contractor Thomas that the
original plans for the construction OF the
northeast fire engine house will have to be
conformed to. This is the equivalent of hold
ing Mr.. Thomas responsible for the misplaced
pegs il tho ground lines.
AS The TIMES once before noted, the opin-
ion that Mr.. Thomas would wifully make an
error that gave him no pecuniary advantage
and which would necessarily injure his repu-
tation, is not given credence by the Commis-
sioners, but it is understood that under
well-known unHritten law all contractors are
expected TO verify the survey of ground be-
fore commencing the construction OF build
ing thereon. This Mr. Thomas failed to do.
Who it was that moved the pegs, If they
were moved, does not seem to have been con-
clusively shown.
Orders iss ued yesterday:
That contract for furnishing fifty street
hydrants be awarded to the Ludlow Valve
Company, at S12 each.
That water mains be laid In Eighteenth
street, from B to A streets, and in A street
between Seventeenth and Eighteenth streets
northea st, and in Columbia street between
Thirteenth and Fourteenth streets.
That a sewer be constructed in Twenty
second street. between New York avenue and
d street northwest, and in D street, between
Twenty-first and Twenty-second streets
northwest.
Capt. Burr, assistant engineer commits
sioner, has referred to the board bill of
1892 55 against the Baltimore and Ohio Rail-
road Company as cost of erection and
maintenance of eight street lamps at Carroll
avenue and Chestnut street crossings. Tako-
ma Park. The lamps were erected under
authority Of law and order Of the Commis-
sioners, and the cost was properly charge
able to the company, but SO far the agent has
| failed to settle the bill. Capt. Burr recon-
mends that the case be referred to the at
| torney for the District, and is suggestion is
approved by Commissioner Powell.
The Commissioners yesterday notified
President Baker, of the Columbia Railway
Company, of their disapproval of the pro-
posed plan of the location of the company
tracks at Fifteenth and H streets northeast.
The board prefers that the plan heretofore ap-
| proved shall stand.
The grounds upon which exceptions are
| taken to the plan are that it provides for a
multiplicity of tracks at section which is re-
| garded as natural terminus for future roads
and the arrangement of the tracks is not such
as to preclude the convenient location Of a
| possible future union depot.
Frank Elgin was appointed flrst-class
private on the metropolitan police force, to
take effect yesterday, vice John 7. Hagan,
| deceased.
l.. 2. Williams, the owner of house and
| lot Immediately south of the proposed con-
| tagious hospital sire, strongly protests in
| letter addressed TO the Commissioners against
| the action of the Commissioners in placing
the institution in his vicinity.
Probationary Private D. D. Sullivan, of the
District fire department. was removed from
| the force yesterday and ]. G. Harper was ap-
| pointed to succeed him.
| Supt Henry r. Miles, of the District tele-
| graph and telephone service, reports that he
| has procured for inspection a keyless fire.
alarm box which he highly recommends and
asks the approval ofsthe Commissioners of a
proposed purchase Of ten samples for use in
| the business portion OF the city.
| Permits were issued yesterday az follows:
! 7. A. Harding, threeo dwellings. Nos 1906 to
| 1910. Kenesaw avenue, 81. 1000; John w. Col
/ Inns, frame dwellings, Broad Branch road.
| $500, and Moses A. stevens, frame dwelling,
Hillsdale, $780,
Charles Ball is the successor to the late
inspector OF plumbing, his appointment to