Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-01-15
DISTRICT AFT AIRS
Special Counsel Wanted to Prosecute
Railroad Gases.
ARE DEMANDED BY CITIZENS
Difficulties in the Way Of Getting
Water Meters.
OTHER LOCAL NOTE S

The Commissioners are in receipt of Wig
crous letter from the president of the
Northeast Washington Citizens Associa-
ton in reply to the letter of the Commits
sioners that no special counsel was needed
to prosecute cases against the Baltimore
and Ohio railroad in the Police Court. He
says the citizens in that part of the city do
not agree with the attorney for the District,
and are willing to employ an attorney of
their own to appear in the Police Court and
prosecute offenders.
He also requests list of the prosecutions
made within the year against the railroad,
together with the result of all trials, and
ss ks, specifically, to be Informed of the out
come of several cases. His letter also calls
attention to the delays in these cases, and
when the cases are finally brought to trial
the railroad Is always represented by COM
peteEt counsel. thoroughly familiar with
the situation, while the District has to rely
upon it's regular law officers, who have all
they can well attend to in the management
Of the attorneys Office.
The letter has been referred to the at
torney for the District for reply, and he has
been requested to furnish a list of the cases
brought against the railroad, as we'll as
the courts action thereon.
The Commissioners believe that the well
fare of the District is properly guarded by
it's law officers, and, it is understood. they
will refuse to allow the employment OF
special attorney to assist the Districts law
officer in prosecuting cases brought against
the railroad.
Some Orders.
The following allotments are made for
use in the current quarter of the fiscal
year, to be disbursed on acquisitions ap-
proved by the officer in charge Of the sur
face department:
From appropriation for construction and
repair of bridges, $1,000; from appropria-
ton for ordinary care of bridges, 81 900.
That a fire hydrant be erected on New
Jersey avenue northwest between and
Franklin streets.
That six-inch water mains be laid in the
following named streets for the purpose
of furnishing Takoma Park with Potomac
water, said mains not to be laid Until UNA
tile street between Brlghtwood avenue
and Piney Branch road is dedicated IS
public street: In Umatille street between
.Brightwood avenue and Piney Branch
road; in Piney Branch road between Una
tile street and Wabash street; in Wabash
street between Piney Branch road and
9th street; in 9Th street between Wabash
street and Chestnut street; in Chestnut
street between 9th street and Blair road to
the lire of the Metropolitan branch of the
Baltimore ana OniO railroad, ana IN YER
million street between Pirey Branch road
and 9th street. Also that fire hydrants
be erected along the line of these mains.
Freezing of Water Pipes.
The water department has been receiving
a number Of curious complaints concerning
the freezing of water pipes during the cold
weather. A number of the complaints
were from householders who did not I'M
derstand why the hot water pipe had
frozen during one Of the cold snaps, while
the pipe which supplies the cold water and
which runs by it's side had remained free.
This Is the explanation of the superintend-
ent of plumbing:
at is well known fact that when water
gets hot 1t loses it's vitality. The air is
all driven out Of it, and it becomes dead.
Now, cold seems to have peculiar affinity
for sucn water, and it Is d well known
fact that after it has been once heated it
freezes much quicker than the water which
is kept at the temperature of the river
Water Meters.
An effort will be made by the Commits
sioners at this session of Congress to get
some legislation upon the subject of water
meters. They realize the Importance OF
protecting the water supply of the District,
and believe the meter is the solution of the
problem They have given up all idea of
introducing meters in private houses; in
fact they do not believe it is practicable
at this time. But they are anxious to
compel all manufacturing and other estab-
lishments using large quantity of water
to equip their places with water meters
and pay for the amount consumed.
1t will be recalled that the present law
failed of proper enforcement because the
| law officers of the government refused tc
pass an account of the Commissioners fol
| the purchase of water meters. Private
of =.
| tory, and the District desired to own and
| control them. The objection on the part OF
| the consumer was in the first cost of the
| meter, which was quite considerable
amount for capable ana ehclent meter
But the controller of the currency decided
| that the consumer must not only pay fol-
! the cost and erection Of the meter, but
| also for its maintenance. The result was
| that consumer could not be compelled
! to put up any particular kind Of meter
| and the authorities, rather than get &
number of incompetent meters. decided t.
| let the whole matter rest until Congress be
| appealed to for legislation. There are sew
| eral good meters in the market, and II the
| Commissioners receive the legislation they
| desire they will adopt one of them, ant
| then install them wherever in their opinion
| the condition Of affairs demands it.
| Passing Of Trains.
| Several days ago the Commissioners de
| tailed an inspector to note the number o
| trains that passed over the crossing at A.
/ street and Virginia avenue, with a view
| of using the Information in the defense o
| the suit of the railroad against the Com
| missioners. From am. until 1 am
| "a freight trains, SO passenger trains, 20
| switch engines, 1897 pedestrians and LOO
4 vehicles passed over the crossing.
THERE WILL BE NO APPEAL.