The morning times., 1896-12-31
FEES FOR TRANSCRIPTS
Health Office Records to Be Made
a Source of Revenue.
MATTER UNDER ADJUSTMENT
Allotment of Appropriations for
Current Work-Boa of Control
OF Rock Creek Park Holds a Meet
ing Commissioners Ready to Re-
port on the Morse Bill.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS Ready to Re-
port on the Morse Bill.
1t is anticipated that soon 2fter the re-
assembling of Congress the Commissioners
will ask for the passage of a bill reqair
ing payment of fee for each transcript
from the health office rcords.
This covers all certificates of births, mar
rages or deaths which may be required
by parties here or elsewhere for whatever
purpose.
The proposed legislation is in line with
the recommendations Of Health Officer
Woodward in his annual report.
It's estimated that under the fee system
the issuance of transcripts will be a source
of considerable revenue, probably reaching
eventually $1,000 annually. The number
asked for grows larger each year, but
the aggregate for last year reached only
about 200, there having been a slight
increase over the figures given by the
health office estimate.
Health Officers View.
The register of the health departmentnow
contains the records # over &c, 900 deaths,
$4,000 births and $4,000 marriages.
These records begin with the organization
OF the department in 1874 and continue
without interruption down Jo the present
time.
During the year about $50 applica-
tions have been received for transcripts
from these records. Such transcripts are
by law prima facie evidenc OF the factscon-
tained therein. The uses for which they
are desired are Yariously stated upon the
applications, as for legal purposes" Ito
complete evidence in pension case FOR
Insurance." and the like.
LAS ii Is purely fer tie pLrl ose OF Fri
vate gain, the government should be coDI-
pensated for the lat or involved in the is
sue Of such transcripts.
IF it were required that n small fee
be paid for each transcript it ould prove
source OF revenue, and so help to pay
the cost of keeping the records, and
would respectfully recommend. therefore,
that steps be taken to establish a system
of fees Tor transcripts from the health de
partment records
Official Orders Issued.
orders were issued by the CO mmissi onors
yesterday for the allotment Of 81 coo 10
the parking @ mmissi on ard s. COO for as
sessmcnt and permit surface work on
streets, the same being made available
for the current quarter
Also, that a lamp ost lie erected on
Fourth street southeast, between Il and Z
streets.
That $50 feet cf 12 inch sewer and two
manholes be constructed in Bunker Hin
road, from Seventh street westward, un-
der permit system.
That 61O feet If 6-inch water main lie
laid on 10th sides Of O street. between
Twenty ninth and Thirtieth streets north
west
That license as master plumber and gas
filter be issued to Charles j Purcell upon
condition that he first file the customary
bond.
That a public hydrant be erected on Con
necticut avene near the entrance to the
Geological Park; estimated cost, S176.
The board Of control OF Rock Greek Park
held a meeting at the District building yes
terday afternoon, Gen. William p. Craig
hill and the three Commissioners being
present, with Capt. Lansing H. Beach as
secretary. Plans for the Improvement Of
the park We're discussed, but no definite
action was taken.
Minor District Notes.
AT a meeting of the Commissioners held
yesterday afternoon the Morse bill for the
amendment of the liquor law OF the District
was under discussion.
A report upon the measure was practi-
cally agreed upon and it is probable that
il will be signed and forwarded today.
The board declined to state what their
recommendations Will be.
The superintendent of the street and alley
cleaning department has been authorized
to employ a force of men with broolns
for the cleansing Of the cutters, instead
OF ordering out the machines, whenever
in his judgment it can be best done by that
method.
The Commissioners will accompany the
building inspector this morning to the pro-
posed site for the Western High School,
TO make an inspection Of the ground, in
connection with the prepared plans for
construction.
Private Daniel O'Connor, of the District
fire department, has been removed from
the force, the order therefor to take effect
today.
The Commissioners will give an audi
encc this forenoon at / O'Clock TO those
who want TO discuss the Sunday rest bill,
pending in Congress and now before the
board for its report. The advocates, as
well as the opponents, OF the measure, will
be heard, and the meeting promises to be
lively.
President Dunlop has been asked to be
heard by the Commissioners upon certain
features of the bill before them under
which the Washington and Falls Church
Railway Company seeks an entrance to
the city and the Union passenger station
at the West End.