Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-06-07
DISTRICT GOVERNMENT.
Alley Gates Necessary.

Health Officer Hammett, in a letter to the
Commissioners today, reports that Diapers
alley, between 18th and 13th.B and c streets
southwest, is well paved. but has no sewer
traps or catch basins to receive the sur
face drainage. There is no water main in
the alley, therefore the owners Of property
AUDITING thereon cannot connect with the
sewer placed at each end Of the alley rum
ming north and south, which is necessary
for the public health.
Defective Pavement.
The Commissioners today received letter
from Geo. z. Emmons calling their Nten-
ton to a defect in the pavement in front of
premises 1888 New Hampshire avenue
northwest, which. when the warm weather
sets in, will cause serious nuisance.
Should BE Cleaned.
Health officer Hammett reports that foul
and offensive odors emanate from the sewer
trap at the northeast corner of 10th and
streets northwest, and recommends that
it be cleaned out for the public health and
comfort.
An Assessment Hearing Wanted.
Abram Frey. No. 1343 Corcoran street,
through Senator Proctor has requested
the Commissioners to give him hearing
on the bill changing the present laws for
special tax or assessment for laying water
nains ard fire plugs from IL cents per
square foot to $3.50 per linear foot Mr.
Frey objects to the bill for the reason that
should the same become law without
change or amendment 1t will offer a pre-
MUM to persons who dishonesty or other
wise fail or neglect to pay their taxes and
assessments when due. Hundreds of prop
erty owners in the suburbs having lots
exceeding 100 feet in depth are and have
been owing for the laying of water mains
for years, some of them back to 1879,
when the law went into effect taxing lots
other than those in Washington and
Georgetown, whereas, he says further, for
those who have paid all taxes and assess
nients promptly there is no relief.
To Repair Sewer Traps.
The Commissioners today issued orders
to repair the defective sewer traps in the
alley in square 457 and that the work be
done next week. Barnes Weaver have
requested the Commissioners to include
Elm street, now known as U street, in the
plan of street extension. They ask that it
be extended from its present terminus at
9Th street northwest westward to 7th street
northwest.
Protest Against the Railroad.
Several indignant citizens of South Wash
irgton appeared before the Commissioners
and asked them to revoke the permit grant,
ed the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad
Company to construct a switch into square
799, which is located between K and L. Sd
and 4th streets southwest. 1t was repre-
scented by the gentlemen that the street is
now entirely taken up by the railroad
tracks, and further encroachment upon
the street would be an imposition. The res
idents along that street are even now SUBJ
jected to great Inconvenience on account
of the railroad, and wagons have to stop
squares away when goods are to be deliver
ed in that square. When any one dies
the funeral is made UP some distance away
and the coffin has to be carried to the
hearSe. If the present switch is permitted
1t will be menace to life, and a great in
jury to property.
The permit was issued to the railroad
company under the act Of Congress ap-
proved January 10, 1891, and sets forth that
1t shall be the duty of the Commissioners to
grant the Baltimore and Potomac railroad
permission to lay and maintain a side track
or switch whenever they consider it a pub
lie benefit. The gentlemen when this act
was pointed out to them stated it was not
| a public benefit, on the other hand, a posi-
tive detriment to the public. Capt Fiebeger
was instructed to examine the situation
and report Immediately.