Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-02-27
Street Sweeping and Cleaning IN
der District Auspices.
SAID TO BE FIRST STEP
Permanent Employment for a
Considerable Force.
O. TIL ER LOCAL NEWS

The first step toward municipal control
Of contract work is about to be made by
the Commissioners. When the contract
for the sweeping and cleaning of streets.
| avenues and alleys expires they will as
sumo control Of the matter.
This move on the part of the Commits
sioners is the result of a long-studied in
vestigation. The report of Superintendent
Mckenzie. VINO has charge of street
sweeping. states that the work can be done
with great saving to the District
With the municipal control of this branch
of the public service over two hundred
men, it ia claimed, will receive permanent
employment. The employees of the street
cleaning department, many Of whom are
dependent upon appropriations, and only
receive pay for the days they actually
work, are jubiIant over the prospects.
Rainy days are indeed rainy days for them,
for they have to content themselves with
doing nothing and receiving nothing for
it. Many Of these men have large families.
and the loss of a day to them Is a serious
matter. Then. again, there is another class
of men. inspectors and laborers, who are
furloughed during the winter months be-
cause Of lack Of funds. These. 1t is said.
would all receive steady employment under
the new scheme.
The Commissioners hope to save money.
better the condition of the men and improve
the service. Last year it cost STAT 600 to do
the work, which included the pay of en-
ployes, the contract price for cleaning the
streets and the separate appropriation for
cleaning the alleys.
AS stated above, this new arrangement
will give permanent employment to at least
200 men, ranging all the way from $3.50 per
day to 81 per day. The old employees will
made they will simply be transferred to the
regular roll.
The idea of municipal control of street
sweeping was first proposed by Commission
of this department, and who after careful
inquiry believed the work could be better
and more cheaply performed by the city.
He has already received the sanction OF his
associates, it is understood. to the scheme,
and within few days will lay the matter
| before Congress, if it is found that congress
| sional action is necessary to bring about the
change. The present contract for street
sweeping expires March l, 1897.
Patrolmen Appointed.
Lewis L. Shannon, Eustace c. Blake. John
Ponder and William H. Adams have been
appointed policemen Of the first class OF the
metropolitan police department.
Substitute Alley Bill.
Mr.. A. =. Pardon, representing those
people opposed to the bill regarding alley
houses, appeared before the Commissioners
this morning and submitted the following
bill as a substitute for the one under con-
sideration, adding that it was approved by
all those interested, and hoped 1t would
| receive the approval Of the Commissioners.
The bill is as follows:
That the Commissioners of the district
of Columbia are hereby authorized when
ever it is deemed by them necessary to
the public health and safety, or upon petit
ton of the owners of over one-nalf of the
| real estate in the square. to acquire by
purchase condemnation the necessary
| land to extend alleys 20 the streets, so as
| to have said alleys TO run through from
street to street.
THAT If the necessary land cannot be
secured by negotiation the said Commits
| sioners are authorized to procure the same
by condemnation, according to chapter ii
| of the Revised Statutes Of the United
States relating TO the District of Column
bia for opening highways.
That in order to carry into effect the
| provisions of this act the sum of $50 eco
| Is hereby appropriated OUT of any money
in the treasury not otherwise appropriated
| One-half of the sum expended under this
| act shall be charged against the revenues
Of the District of Columbia.
1.-The Commissioners of the District Of
| Columbia are hereby authorized to close
any alley or part of an alley rendered un-
necessary by this act, and to sell the same
| for cash, provided the price per foot shall
not be less than the assessed valuation of
| the adjoining lots
Under the Permit System.
Under date of January 20 last The Star
published an article concerning improve
| ments under the permit system, in which
| 1t was stated that 1t was not necessary for
| a property owner to petition for work
which the Commissioners consider neces-
sary for the promotion Of public health. The
assessment work is divided into two classes
that which may be done whenever, in the
| judgment of the Commissioners, it is neces-
| sary, and that of the other class where all
property owners are required to request it.
1t was also stated at the time that the
health officers certificate regarding the ne
cessity Of piece of work is unnecessary.
1t was stated further. In regard to the re-
pair Of street, that the recommended ton
of the superintendent of streets was not
necessary either If the Commissioners be-
lieved the repairs were necessary.
The substance Of this matter was ap-
proved by the Commissioners today, It be-
iEg based upon an opinion of the attorney
and transmitted to the assessment division.
Ensineers' Licenses.
Steam engineers licenses have been grant,
ed as follows: Second class, F. A. Booth;
third class, Frederick s. BiggS.
Salary Increased.
The compensation of c. N. Wilson. night
Waterman at the Municipal Lodging House.
has been increased from so to SIS per
month.
Appointed a Private.
Henry c. Egloff has been appointed q
private in the fire department, vice DAILY.
removed.
Neglect of Duty.
Private ia. Mcdonald of the police force.
tried for gross neglect Of duty. has been re-
moved from the force.
Member of n Commission.
The Commissioners have appointed Com
mander Washburn Maynard, U. s. N.
member of the commission to revise the
building regulations, vice Freeman, de-
ceased
JnnitOr Removed.
James Hill, janitor Of the second precinct
station house. has been removed and Lee
Blakeley appointed to the vacancy.
Licenses Granted.
The excise board this morning met and
passed the following liquor licenses:
Retail-James Allen, Isl Sd street north
west; Richard M. Dillon. 4O1 AZ street
southwest; ]. F. Downey, 800 street
southwest; Chas. p. Anderson, Water street
rear 10th southwest; Karl Heurich, road