The Washington times., 1894-12-20
DOINGS OF The
COMMISSIONERS
Important Opinion by Attorney Thomas
as to Tax Sales.
DEEDS A BAR TO PRIOR TAXES
Chief Paris Suggests Discontinuance
of Night Street SprinkIing.
Love and Charity Temple to Be Torn Down
Woodburn Citizens Association Ask for
Improvements to Rock Creek Road-Res-
ignation of Paul T. Bowen Formally Ac-
pted-Commissioners Can Not Pardon.

cepted-commissione Can Not Pardon.
In the matter of The application of Messrs-
Weller Repetti for the cancellation of the
arrears of general taxes against certain lots,
on the ground that said tax was cut out by
tax sales in 1891 and 1892, and deeds given by
the Commissioners under such sales. Attor-
ney Thomas yesterday flied an opinion with
the Commissioners, which will be important
as a precedent, TO the effect that under the
provisions of section of the act OF 1877: a
deed given by the Commissioners ''shall be
admitted and held to be prima facie evidence
of good and perfect title in fee simple fer
any property bought. and all proceedings
prior to said sale shall be presumed to have
been regular until the contrary shall be
proved, which is a quotation from the act.
Aside from this the attorney says tax
deed given by. the Commissioners is incon-
sistent with the idea of the District retaining
a lien for the arrears OF taxes. and unless
tax deed has this effect it will very materi-
ally interfere with tax sales as means OF
, collecting taxes.
John Cudmore was in 1891 bidder for a
CONTRACT TO CONSTRUCT SEWERS
in the District. and accompanied mis- pro-
posa with deposit OF $500, as is usual in
such cases, as guarantee of good faitn. He
was awarded the contract. but failed TO con-
firm it by acceptance although adv ised TO do
so by the Commissioners.
The work WAS readvertised and contract
awarded at an additional expense TO the Dis
trict of SS7l.s0, including cost of advertising
and advance III prce.
Mr.. Cudmore afterwards asked for the re-
turn of MS money. and the whole matter was
eventually referred to the attorney for his
opinion as to whether or not the deposit was
not yoiuntaryand under the rules forfeited
by the deposition.
Mr. Thomas yesterday fled his decision, in
which he says that ''Yhilethere may be some
question rs to the right Of the District TO for
/ felt the 500 as a penalty, there can be none
a to the charge of actual expenses incurred
in reetting the work. including the differ
I ence between Cudmore's bid and the price of
( the second successful bidder" The agree
ment entered into by Mr.. Cudmore was
VOLUNTARY AND VALID CONTRACT.
Chief Paris addressed a letter to the Com
missioners yesterday, in which ne said he felt
/ it to be his duty 10 "cal attention to the mat
/ ter of sprinkling the streets at night, which
makes it very dangerous to the men and
horses of the fire department while respond
! ingto fire alarms -
He adds that, at this season the heavy
frosts keep the pavements thoroughly damp
! ened. and the present system of sprinkling at
| night makes It almost impossible to make any
headway while going TO fires. He recon-
| mends that sprinkllng be dispensed with dur
| ing the winter months.
/ Attorney S. L. Thomas decides that the cost
| of advertisement of work done under the pro-
! visions OF assessment and permit regulations
| should be added to the cost of the work, but
should appear as separate item and he evil
| denced bv n separate voucher
The attorney has also rendered an opinion
| TO the effect that the Commissioners have no
/ power TO compel the owner of an improved
| lot to fence the property, but in case nui-
sauce should arise from a lot being unfenced
the same may be abated by suit in court.
The trustees OF the
LOVE AND CHARITY TEMPLE,
the recent condemnation of which was
! briefly referred to in yesterdays TIMES, were
callers at the District building yesterday and
| after convaGsing the matter withdrew their
appeal from the building inspectors decision,
and agreed to tear down the building as dI-
| rected.
The building has been heretofore occupied
| and had become very dangerous. 1t is To-
/ Gated on the south side of street, between
! First street and Delaware avenue.
The Woodburn Citizens Association has
! called the attention of the District Commits
sioners to the very bad condition of the Rock
! Greek Church road from the Eagle Gate
! Soldiers Home, 10 Riggs road. The associa-
/ tion says the condition is such at one point
/ that the District is liable for damages that
may result from accidents.
Tho resignation Of Paul T. Bowen as n
member of the board OF school trustees was
! formally accepted yesterday. Mr.. Bowen
was recognized by the District officials as an
exceedingly careful and
EFFICIENT MEABER or THE BOARD.
HIS work was always conscientiously done,
and he exhibited good Judgment in the
treatmentof all matters committed TO his care.
Engineers licenses were issued yesterday
as follows: To George Z. Reid, first class;
| William E. Peake and S. V. Mace second
class: George W. p. Schinder Charles Specht,
! Nathan Moore. Theodore 4. Leckert. james
! W Garrison George Galloway, and William
/ II. Franklin.
The Commissioners have advised the treas
/ urer of the Institution for Education of Col
/ ored Youth that they do not regard it as ad-
| vlsable 10 accept the offer of sale of the
| Miner building at the price named. which
was S5O, GOO
| The Commissioners yesterday decided. in a
case referred 10 them. that they cannot un-
dertake TO enforce judgments obtained
against District employees. This will proba-
bly, be q bar to future applications for similar
! assistance 10 the debt collector