The Washington times., 1894-10-02
CONCERNS OF The DISTRICT
Commissioners Have Sharp Words
with Gas Company Officials
ABOUT THE LIGHT SCHEDULE
Cashier Daniel, of the Tax Collectors Office,
Discharged for Using Improper Language
District Attorney Thomas Opinion Re-
garding the Commercial Alliance.

Some tart remarks were exchanged yester-
day between the Commissioners and repre-
sentatives of the two District gas companies.
The Washington company was represented
by Superintendent Leetch. Mr.. Bailey, and
Attorney Brown, while President Winship
appeared in behalf Of the Georgetown com
pany.
The assertion was made by Mr.. Winship
that the latest schedule for street lighting
submitted blythe Commissioners. as published
in TIE TIMES. was departure from the rule
that had'exsted for thirty years; that to en-
force it was doing an injustice that he, for
one, would not submit TO if to resist It he had
to put out every light and then resign his
place in the company. He said he did not
care who prepared the schedule. 1t was a
trick TO exact Of the gas companies more than
they could furnish for the compensation re-
celyed.
Mr.. Leeteh contended that TO require the
lamps 10 be lighted and TO commence the eN-
tnguishing M the hours stated in the sched-
ule would cost the Washington company
S15.0 600 annually, or j.. 100000 feet Of gas
rated at (: per 600 feet. and the protest OF
both companies was against the alleged eX-
actions Of the schedule.
Capt Powell OF the board Of Commission
ers. said the representatives OF the gas COM
panies had come before the board by invita-
tiOn in order 10 confer as 10 the schedule and
20 arrive at an equitable adjustment but in
stead OF coming in that spirit the companies
bad precipitgted an uitmatum. with the dec
laration that II not accepted they would have
no further debate OF any proposition looking
TO adjustment. He said onel hour was more
Z time than auvht 20 ba qpnGumal llHlting
and extnguishing the street lamps, respect
lively; that IN his judgment the companies
should provide Tor the performance OF the
work in not 10 exceed One-half hour each.
he wanted TO know if there was any reason
for adhering TO a thirty-year rule, if judg-
ment should suggest change.
The conference finally resulted IN the ac-
ceptance of the schedule Tor the month Of
October with the understanding that the ex-
ira consumption OF gas beyond the limit
should be allowed for, this arrangement to
stand until the matter can be further inyesti-
gated.
There seemed to be no trouble over any
point except IN the matter Of adjusting the
time for lighting and eXtinguishing the
lamps.
sCHooLHoUsE WANTED on CONGRESS HEIGHTS.
Citizens Of Congress Heights are anxious to
obtain an appropriation for the erection Of an
eight-room school as a substitute for the four
room structure, for which an estimate has
been made. There are 500 government en-
UlOyes in the subdivision. they say. most Of
them heads of families, and their school IA
cilities are entirely inadequate. They ask for
SO 600 in the Commissioners estimate for
1886 and this they say, Will erect a building
and complete four rooms Tor occupancy. The
finishing touches can be made later
z l9rrn falafFu. before the Commits
sioners yesterday urging the proposition. and
tneir request was ably seconded 10y i. H.
Warner and Supt. Powell, Of the public
schools. Among those present at the hearing
were DR.. A. H. Wilmer. school trust ee; 4. L.
Randle. and Messrs Hawley Waller, Byer,
SWeeny. Tucker. and Simpson.
The general public will obtain no ointerviews
with the Commissioners on auysuhiect during
the remainder Of this week, as all the time OF
the board viii be required for preparation OF
the estimates for the 1896 appropriations.
For grossly offending Taxpayer by the
use of language for which there was no eX-
cuse. as alleged. John w. Daniel, cashier in
the Office OF the collector Of taxes, has been
requested 10 resign. Mr.. Daniel denies that
he Intentionally offended the complaining cit
izen, but he was overheard during the CONVEX
satiOn and the alleged language was verified.
J. i. DOherty. representing the Eccentric
Association OF Steam Engineers, yesterday
filed a request with the Commissioners that
time he appointed for a conference with a
committee Of the association on business per-
tanning 10 the interests of the organization.
Private Clark /. Farr. for repeated viola
tions of Rule is OF the regulations has been
dismissed from the fire department. aud II.
A. Cooley appointed 10 the vacancy, 10 take
effect October ,
The resignation Of F. f. PyweIl. as a men,
Der OF the fire department force has been ac-
appointment OF Dennis Nolan to the vacancy.
ALLIANCE INSURANCE coTPANY's LICENSE.
5. T. Thomas. attorney for the District. in
formed the Commissioners yesterday that in
his opinion it is proper for the boarl to no.
tify the Commercial Alliance Life Insurance
Company of New York that its license will be
revoked. unless by day TO be fixed the com
pany can disprove the showing made of its
affairs bv thc SUPERINTENDENT of insurance OF
the State OF New York.
As mentioned IN The TINES early last
Week. Assessor Trimbe made inquiry of In
surance Supt. Pierce as 20 the companys
standing, and a copy Of his report was fur
nished IN response.
his is the company. as will be remem-
bered. TO which the policy-holders of the
Washington Endowment Association were re-
Gently transferred by President Gardner
Justice Field has responded TO a communi-
cation from the Commissioners concerning
his previous complaint of the bad condition
of an alley in the rear of his premises He
says he is surprised that in its present condi-
ton the alley can be pronounced after an
official investigation to be well paved and in
good order. he adds If he could afford to do
so he would at his own expense put it IN a
better condition.
Surveyor Forsyth, in his report to the Com
missIoners, submitted yesterday. states that
during the year ending June 30, 1894, $50 or
ders for surveys were received and 116 sub
divisions recorded.
De says the condition of some of the oldest
records OF his office is such that if action for
their preservation be not soon taken thew will
be beyond saving, and their loss would be
irreparable. Many OF the books have been in
continuous use several years, some of them
since 1909, and are badly torn and defaccd.
An appropriation of $4,000 is requested to
pay for the work necessary for their proper
repair and reproduction.
DUMPING GROUND FOR STREET swEEpINGs.
Superintendent Mckenzie having called
the attention of the Commissioners to the fact
that serious embarrassment results to the
street cleaning department by reason of the
lack OF permanent dumping ground, the
matter was referred to the engineer DEPART
ment. A report was yesterday transmitted to
the superintendent with the suggestion that
the space obtained by the arching of Rock
Creek and the extension of streets across the
fats Of the Eastern Branch be utilized.
Building permits granted yesterday: Nico-
lai Brothers, oil warehouse, fire proof. in
Southwest Washington. SIS, 600; A. NJ. Green.
dwelling in Anacostia. $780,
Permits for improvements: A. D. Wilson.
general repairs to dwelling No. 10 Grant
place. $500. Joseph w. Orme. No. $40 II
street northwest. addition 20 dwelling. 81 900.