The morning times., 1896-01-17

There is going TO he litigation over the
! enforcement of the fire-escapc law, and
1t is likely that the validity OF some of tho
provisions OF the measure will be assaiied
by those who are 10 be made defendants.
The building inspector has withheld his
| certificates In number of cases where
| they are necessary for hotels to obtain a
business license, Tor the reason that the
proprietors have failed to comply with the
requirements regulating fire escapes.
In some instances the gOngs provided for
| are not placed, and la Others the escapes
| have not been introduced. These are the
| hotels, and there are six or eight OF them,
| that are now doing business without obtain
! ing a license.
The building inspector was asked yester-
| day with reference 10 one hosiery, To-
| Gated near Pennsylvania avenue, whose APP
plicatiOn for license is still held up.
The report was that the proprietor has
not yet complied with the law, and IL was
decided that If the certificate is rot forth
| coming on Monday there viii be an appeal
| to the courts, and it is probable that Others
will be sOmmoned a the same time.
UNDER THE LICENSE LAW.
They will be prosecuted for conducting
the hotel business without license.
Assistant Inspector Vermilion, who has
charge of that branch of the business, said
yesterday that he would under no circum-
stances certify case to the assessor in
which there were any part of TIE law I'M
observed.
II am not given any discretion in the
matter" said Mr.. Vermiliion, land am
not going TO do thing which the law for
BIDS"
The point is that the hotels cannot obtain
their licenses TO carry on business until the
building inspector certifies that the fire
escapes, goDgs, and other requisites are
Procured. and several of the proprie
tors are conducting their hotels on
sufferance. Their applications are on file,
and until disposed OF, the houses remain
open to the public.
Are there many hotels held up in
this way?'' Mr.. Vermillion wasasked.
YES. and some of the big hotels, too
at the assessors office the Inference is
given that suits over the matter are in
evitable. and the authorities are OF the
opinion that it may as well come on Monday
as at any other time.
When asked for list OF the houses that
have failed to comply with the law, the
officials declined to give it until ii is de-
cided positively TO bring the parties into 4
court.
TRIAL BOARD FINDINGS.
The Commissioners took action in police
cases yesterday as follows:
The charges against Private james p.
Schuyler, tried January 2, 1896. for con-
duct unbecoming an officer, were dismissed.
William Mcmahon, private, tried Decem-
Der 2S, FOR conduct unbecoming an officer,
and found guilty. was ordered to paw a
certain balance, shown to be due and was
notified that failure TO comply would he
considered as sufficient grounds for his
removal from the force.
The charges against Private A. F. Seng-
stack, tried December 20. 1895. for neglect |
OF duty, were dismissed, but the officer |
was fined SO for the use of improper Ian
guage in the presence of Inspector Pearson |
The subcommittee of the House Appro- |
priation Committee having District af- |
fairs in charge held a conference with The |
Commissioners asst night, from until IL |
O'Clock, 10 consider the estimates.
IN NIGHT SESSION.
This change in the hours was due to the
necessity for the members OF the commit
ee Ia participate in other business mat
ers during the day. 1t is preferred by The |
Commissioners, also. as il gives them time
"a devote to routine business.
The Commissioners yesterday addressed |
4 letter to Hon. j. G. Cannon, chairman
If the House Appropriation Committee,
calling attention TO recommendation of |
he District court of appeals to the effect |
hat provision should be made for COM
pensaling the official reporter of the
court. who under the present law is serv-
iug without pay. The recommendation
meets the approval of the Commissioners,
ard they give ii official Endorsement
The careful compilation ard The prompt
issue of the volumes of the court of an
reals reports are regarded as of great i'm
rnrlance to the community, the Commits
si"ners say, and an adequate compensation
5h"uld be made for the reporter without
delay.