The morning times., 1895-11-12
WANT 1 public AUCTION |
Wholesale Dealers Prefer to Buy
Stalls in That Way.
CHANGE IN PLAN ASKED FOR
Question Raised as 10 Right of Com
missioIiers TO Order Obstructions
from Strect-B rd Sends Regrets
to Electrical Engineers Opinion
In Western Onion Case.

The wholesale market dealers appeared
yesterday before the Commissioners with
request thar Unc sale OF stalisiu Haymarket
Square be made by public auction instead
OF 10y sealed proposals, and other issues
arose from one source and another which
leaves the adjustment of the future OF
wholesale market space in an unsettled
state and subject to further discussion.
The Commissioners assure the dealers that
as soon as funds can bc obta ined the market
will he placed in good condition with all
required accommodations, including the
shed asked for. The prospective bidders for
space, however, say that ut the present
time there is no shed over the grounds nor
any provision whatever for their protec-
tion from the weather.
A question has been raised as to the
right of the Commissioners TO exercise CON
troll over B street, and United States AtIor-
ncy Birncy has been asked about ii. A
section of the revised statutes has been
cited which makes it the duty of the
United States Chief of Engineers to see
that distractions are removed from streets
and avenues which have been or may be
improved in whole or in part by the United
states and the claim Is ma de that street
is in that category.
The sale OF stands IN the market, set for
yesterday, has been postponed until the
18Th instant. At the same time the sale
of spaces on the south side of b street, be-
tween Tenth and Twelfth streets. viii
take place.
LAW BEARS HEAVILY.
A case of hardship occasionally occurs
under the law enacted 10 prevent the
spread of scarlet fever and other con
tagious in the District. Tie law authorizes
certain regulations, among which are those
which require the infected premises and
clothing TO be thoroughly fumigatcd after
the recovery of the patient, the attend
ing expense to be borne b. the occupant
of the dwelling.
Il is the duty of the health office, in
conjunction with the attending physician,
to see that the disiufecting is properly done,
and unless the owner shall file an af-
fidavit to the effect that he is unable
to pay the bill aud that his worldly posses
sious amount in value to less than 500, the
charge is made and must be liquidated be
fore the clothing is returned to him.
This rule viii be changed. however. as
soon as the health office secures suf
ficieut funds.
DR.. Woodward said yesterday that had
Congress passed the appropriation bill as
asked for at the last session the health de-
partineut would have by this time been in
position to do the disiufecting without
charge in any case. This Is the object of
establishing disinfectng plant, now under
contract, and what win now be needed is
an appropriation for q force adequate to
the needs of the service.
1t is the purpose of the health department.
with the consent of Congress. TO have all
disinfccung work done gratis, under its
supervision.
CASE IN POINT.
A case which resulted in hardship was
before the health department yesterday,
where a man who has been out of work
because of the presence of contagiou in
his house, and was unable tu pay a bill
incurred, yet could not conscientiously
swear that his possessions are worth less
than 81 90. The matter was adjusted so
that he can liquidate the charge at a later
date.
The Commissioners yesterday addressed
q letter to John A. Berger. of the National
Brotherhood nr Electrical Workers. ex-
pressing their deep regret that one uf their
number was not present at the national
of the brotherhood, To welcome
the delegates. The failure to accept the
invitation was due tu misunderstanding.
The invitation was addressed To the prcsi-
dent, who was absent in Illinois, and through
circumstances it was not brought
to his attention upon his return.
1t was ordered yesterday that the by
lTaNt AT lne northeast corner b1 seventh
and II streets northeast. be removed.
That a catch-basin be constructed at
the southeast corner of Twenty-third street
and Virginia avenue.
That the superintendent of streets be
directed to relay the side walk in the
east side of First street. between : and T
streets.
Attorney Thomas rendered an opinion to
the Commissioners yesterday upon the ques-
tion raised by the Western Union Telegraph
Company as 10 its right under the law to
erect poles and string wires on post roads,
the particular contention being for the
privilege of extending its system from
Seventh street eNtendelto Fourteenth street
by way of Princeton street.
The opinion was not given ont. but II is
understood that he sustains the company
In the declaration OF its vested rights. but
says It's system is and must of necessity be
under municipal control.
In effect. according 10 Mr.. Thomas the
has the right to erect poles on
public thoroughfarcS beyond the city limits
but has not the right to arbitrarily eNcr-
else the privilege by demanding the use of
any particular street where the erection
Of poles would be detrimental to public In
,erests.
Four gangs of men in the street cleaning
department, together withthe foremen. have
been furloughed until spring, the order tax
ing effect on the 15th inst. They have
been in the employ of the District under the
contract with Horn & Son.