The morning times., 1896-02-02
FOR BURNING THE WASTE
Plans Considered for Destroy
ing CombustibIe Refuse.
NOT CLASSED AS GARBAGE
Commissioners VIII Investigate as to
Quantity and Expense-POtomac
Light Company win Appeal From
Judge Binxha m Is sDecisiOn-COmmis-
.sioncr Powell on Proper Legislation.

.sioncr Powell on Proper LegisIu ton.
The Commissioners are giving a great
deal Of careful attention TO the recommeu-
dation made by Health Officer Woodward
for the erection OF a furnace I'm the Dis
trict for the destruction OF the city waste
that cannot be classed as garbage, and 1t
is understood plan will be developed
soon to ascertain what amount OF this
species OF refuse would be coIleciible aud
the cost OF burning II, with the view of
asking for an appropriation for that OBJ
ject.
The garbage contractor has had several
conferences with the Commissioners within
the past two days, aud it is fair infer
ence that the discussion was of this
project.
1t is said by the Commissioners them
selves that the matter has been caDvassed
in the board meetings with DIR. Wood
ward, and that IL is believed the time has
come for something definite TO be done.
The only drawback to the project is the
scarcity OF funds, but steps are to be taken
AT once to ascertain the expense that Will
be incurred at Il minimum rate, and 1t is
hoped that Congress will provide for IL.
The health officer will probably submit
a proposition for the approval OF the Com
missioners to carry out the present purpose.
and il is possible that eventually bids will
be solicited as the best method for accom-
plishing the end.
DIR. HAMMETT REP ORTED.
When DR.. Hammett was serving as
health officer he made report upon the
prevalence OF fevers and other kindred all
ments as found in the vicinity of the pub
lie dumps. That report, made in 1898,
showed That the percentage or sickness IN
those localities was very much IN excess
OF what prevailed In other sections OF the
city. In round numbers IL was about 200
per cent greater, and that is accepted by
the Commissioners as conclusive evidence
OF the need for prompt action. IL is con-
slant source OF complaint from citizens in
terested-
There is another reason. however. which
helps to create the necessity for immediate
provision for the burning of the refuse,
that Is the lack of dumping ground
The spaces available for the purpose are
gradually diminishing In number, and the
day is believed to be not distant when
it will cost much more to haul the waste
to dumping ground than it Will to pro-
vide a crema tory.
Action upon this important matter may
be expected soon.
The Potomac Light and Power Company
will take an appeal from Chief Justice
in the suits brought to restrain the ex
tension OF its lines as contemplated under
the permits issued by the District Com
misSioners.
WILL GO TO HIGHEST COURT.
This much was stated most emphatirally
yesterday afternoon by Attorney II. T.
Davis. who was at the District Eniiuine
in brief consultation with the 'board. lie
said the matter would be carried 10 the
having authority 10 STFdk
upon it, if necessary
The appeal is pot.-<of- course, Ut ue
instance OF the Commissioners. but VIII
be ordered. by the. actual defendant, the
Potomac Light and Power Company, MI
Davis client.0S=
Commissioner Powell said yesterday Y
afternoon that the board Will take nc
action at present upon the biiis pehdihg %
give franchise to telephone companies, ol
ofher corporatiuns, seeking an entrance into
the city. for the reason that as the case now
stands. remedial legisla ii on that VIII
straighten out the complicated SITUATION
seems now to be absolutely necessary. and
he believes is inevitable. aud the Coin
missioners will probably await Congres
sional action
an the light of Judge Binsham's de-
cision,' said Maj. Powell, "the board
has no right to issue permits Tor cltuer
overhead or conduit extensions or electric
lines anywhere in the District 1t has
been held heretofore that the Commissioners
had authority in the county, Dut tnis Is
now declared by legal authority TO be
incorrect.
! what ought to be done. in my Judgment,
is to authorize the purchase OF the existing
| conduits by the District. and let the
privilege of placing wires in them pe
rented at a reasonable rate. The public
| should own these conduits. and after
reseryiny the free use of them to the
United States government and the DIS
| trict. the remainder of the space should DC
| a source of profit to the people.
MONEY DIVERTED.
This is what the Commissioners pro
posed over two years ago, and we had
| S30O,0OO with which TO pay for the
| ACQUISITION. Congress. however, took the
| money and appropriated it to an old debt
| due the United States. in advance OF the
| time set for payment The same thing was
| done last year. and is proposed to be done
| this year. making a total of S9OO,OOO
| diverted to the payment of that debt
IF we could have had our way the pur
| chase would have been authorized and
| the door open to competition. 1t now
| appears that considerable amount of thu
work of extending the service done b,
| existing companies. the United States
Electric Company, for example. has beer
| without authority. and any citizen car
| have it taken out, il correctly understand
| Judge Bingham's decision. That work Wa
| done. however, under permits, but il wa
| after the expiration of the limit prescribed
| by the law of 1888
Il believe Congress. recognizing the stu
| alton, will take prompt steps to remedy
matters There seems to be disposition
in that body to admit competing lines. bu
| the Commissioners can authorize nothing
not specifically prescribed in each measure
| 1t would seem to he necessary to give th'
| District the benefit of some wise legiS-
lation.'
MINOR NOTES.
The National Guard ambulance has beel
placed at the disposal of the police de
| partment at such times as the regula
| vehicles may all be in use, DR.. GeorS'
| Henderson, major and surgeon of the Dis
trict organization, making the tender
The Commissioners yesterday acknowledged
| receipt of the offer, and asked Dr.. Hen
derson to furnish the proper telephone
number to be used in case of a call.
| An order of the Commissioners, promul
gated yesterday. directs that improved
alleys be cleaned but once each two week
during February.
Mr. John w. Thompson obtained per
nit yesterday for the construction of fou
dwellings, at Nos. 7Os to IL Fifth stree
northwest, the cost of which is estimatet
| et 81 9 900