Evening star., 1895-10-31
TOO CLOSE TO HIS HOUSE
Secretary Herbert Objects to the Garbage
Crematory Site.
1t to Eight Squares From His Resi-
Probably Accetle to His Wishes.

Secretary Herbert objects very seriously
to the erection of a garbage cre.natory in
square g. and there is every reason 10 be-
feve that the Commissioners will insist
that the garbage contractor find another
site. Yesterdays mail brought to the Com
m.ssioners letter from Secretary Herbert,
in which it is understood he entered pro-
test against the location of the crematory
on the site recently approved by the Com
missioners, on account of its nearness to
his home, which is only few squares
away. The clematory Is also but short
distance from the naval observatory
grounds, and this is another reason, it is
understood, why he urges that the crema-
tory be not built upon the site selected.
The greatest secrecy was maintained at
the Comm ssioners office concerning the
purport Of this letter and when the Com
missioners left the District building this
morning they took the health officer with
them and drove at once to the Navy De-
partment, where they had an interview
with Secretary Herbert on the. subject.
1t is understood that the Secretary re-
iterated his objections and the Commits
sionerS replied as best they could. Just
what will he done in the matter has not
yet been fully determined, but there is
every reason TO believe that the Commits
soners will comply with the Secretary s
wishes in the matter and locate the crema-
tory somewhere else.
The Secretary Makes Other COM
piuints..
Secretary Herbert, at this morning S
meeting, also took occasion to call the at
tention of the Commissioners to the bad
condition of the dirt road running between
the Navy Department and the White House
from Pennsylvania: avenue to the circular
drive back of the White House. He said in
its present state it was doing great damage
to I. walls on the east front of the Navy
Department, as well as to the furnishings
and contents Of all the rooms opening upon
it. This was because of its soft dirt sur
face. which served to send cloud of dust
against and into the Navy Department
with the least disturbance of the atmos-
phere. The consequence was that the orig
inal color of the east front of the building
had been changed from very light gray to
a reddish brown hue. .,. 40. =.
That this change is due to the proximity
of the road is shown by the fact that the
other three sides of the, building retain
their original color nnblemished. A more
important matter, however. is the injury
done to the interior of the building and
contents by the clouds of dust that are
carried in through the open windows in
the summer time. when it is too warm to
keep them closed. Secretary Herbert said
he thought further trouble could be averted
by paving the road with asphalt, and sug-
gested that the Commissioners take steps
to that end
Congress Solely to Blame.
The Commissioners informed him thai
they had no jurisdiction over the road il
question, and consequently they We're un
able to comply with his request. In tho
conversation that ensued it was developed
that Col. Wilson,, commissioner of publ,
buildings and grounds, was in charge O.
the road. and that he had persistently en-
deavo,ed to have Congress provide for it:
impros ement, but without success. He ha.
again recommended an appropriation fol
asphaltins the roadbed in his annual repor
this year. and it Is said that the Secre
taries of State, War and Navy will secont
his efforts by urging Congress to make th(
necessary provision for an asphalt or othel
hard pavement