The Washington times., 1895-05-10
CALLS IT MIsDEMEANOR
Attorney Thomas Expresses
Opinion of A Nuisance.
B. & o. R. R. GRADE CROSSING
Authority for Temporary Garbage
Contract Conferred by Appropria-
tion BiIl-C commissioners Views.
Bids for General Supplies-status
of Temporary Firemen-Orders.

Mr. s. T Thomas, attorney for the Dis
trict, yesterday placed in the hands of the
United States DistrictAttorneyt the complaint
made by the Northeast Citizens Associa-
ton against the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad
Company concerning the condition of many
of it's grade crossings, with the opinion
that if the charges can be proved the rail-
road companyis guilty ofmaintaining such
nuisance as constitutes very high grade
of misdemeanor under the common law.
The paper erdrawnup by the association and
placed before the Commissioners was re-
ferred by them to Mr. Thomas, and later
the officers of the association were asked
to call and see the attorney.
A conference was held between him
and President Tucker and Mr. j. w. FriZ-
zell, representing the citizens, on Wednes-
day and Mr.. Thomas followed it up yes
terday with the suggestion noted.
The attention of the District Commits
sioners was called yesterday afternoon TO
the alleged protest of prospective bidders
against the proposed temporary contract
with Mr. Warfieid for the collection and
disposal OF garbage.
After hearing the objections that have
been made, the Commissioners said;
SOURCE OF AUTHORITY.
1.-THE appropriation act, which provides
for the increase of the service, confers upon
the board the authority TO make tenn
porary contract, and it has been ordered.
1t also provides for the annnlling of the
present contract, and that has been accom-
plished by agreement upon terms mutually
acceptable. 1t might have been very diff
ferent
THE period of four months viii give
prospective bidders ample time TO make
their preparations, select site for the
proposed reduction works, and in the end
the arrangement will prove to be advan-
tageous to the District.
There is no doubt of the authority
given to the Commissioners, and at the
close of the temporary contract, which
also closes the daily service for the present
year, the new contract for the remainder
of the five years viii be ready.
Bids win be advertised for in due time.
Sealed bids wete opened yesterday at the
District building for furnishing the Dis
tnct with general supplies for the ensuing
year. the proposals being classified under
twenty different headings, as follows:
Glass 1 f., stationery; class 2, blank forms
and printing; class 3, school books class
4, furniture: class 3, hardware; class q,
tinware; class Z plumbers materials;
class s, groceries; class 8, boots and shoes;
class 10, drugs; class IL, glass, paints
and varnish; class H. lumber; class 13,
fresh meats and corned beef; class IA, mis-
cellaneeus castings; class 10, fuel; class
16. dry goods; class II, ice; class Is,
telegraph and telephone supplies; class 10,
saddlery; and class 20, forage.
Proposals were received from about
seventy-five bidders.
MRS .SULLTVAN'S PENSION.
L Attorney Thomas settled an important
point yesterday by rendering an opinion
Nat probationary private in the fire de-
partment has the same rights and privileges
touching the relief fund as the man on the
permanent rolls.
Mrs. Annie L. Sullivan, widow OF Thomas
F. Sullivan, applied for a pension which
she claimed was due her on account of her
husbands connection with the fire force
at the date of his death.
1t has been heretofore held that
probationary private was not on equal
footing 9th the regulars, and Mrs Sulli-
vans pension was denied.
Mr. Thomas saws: There appears to
be nothing in either the acts of the corpor-
alton of Washington or the Legislative
Assembly or of Congress providing for a
probationary term of service in the fire de-
partment, but / understand it has been
l lDe pTdCllGt lOI etNeEdt gedIs " ISNelNe
| candidates on probation.
Whist in practice this may be a very
/ good rule, and result in getting the best
men, still there is no distinction in the
! statute in regard to pensions between
| a fireman appointed temporarily aud one
| appointed permanently.
HIS OPINION CLEAR.
81 am clearly of the opinion that Mrs
Sullivan and her children are beneficiaries
of the firemen's relief fund, and / so ad-
vise'
Under this ruling application viii doubt
less be renewed for pensions that may
have been heretofore rejected for the same
reason that governed in Mrs, Sullivan's
case.
Orders were issued yesterday as follows:
| That Jefferson place be closed TO We
hicles pending construction of sewer.
That cement sidewalk be laid in front
of No. 1912 Vermont avenue; also on
east side of First street northwest, betw cen
v street and Soldiers Home; under per
nit system.
That sidewalk on north side of NJ street,
between First and Second streets, be re-
paired.
That an allotment be made of 81 900
from appropriation for assessment and
permit work to be expended in the county.
That compensation Of Andrew J. Johnson,
assistant foreman in pump division, be
increased from So so to SO per day.
Thomas Somerville, jr., obtained a per
nit yesterday for enlarging a storage house
at Terra Gotta, to cost So, 900.
p
Real Estate Transfers.
Deeds of real estate were filed yester
day for record as follows: M Ashford and