The evening times., 1896-05-07

The Presidents recent civil service order
does not Include District employees within
its provisions, it having been decided that
none but United States officials and
clerks are entitled to classiii cation
4 bill is now before Congress authorizing
the nciusioa OF the Distric ct in the CLASSIFIED
list.
Il WAS reported to the health office this
morning that some enterprising citizen,
uane not given, with faith III the eylste nee
OF pay Dirt in the adjacent hills, has To-
Gated ;lu establishment III the Vicinity of
CABIN John Bridge for extra citing gold from
quartz, and that he proposes to employ
cyanide of potassium in the process.
II is also understood that the business is
about ready to be started up on AN ex-
tensive scale.
No more deadly poison can be found than
cyanide of potassium. and the effect Of
draining any considerable quantity of it
into the Potomac river would be disas-
trous.
QUICK INVESTIGATION.
1t WAS therefore determined to make an
immediate investigation, to the end that
steps may be taken to prevent the con-
tannlatlon OF the waters with so powerful
poison.
The establishment is located below the
point where Washington's water supply
is obtained, but there are other interests
which render it necessary that the possible
pollution of the stream shall be prevented.
and if the Maryland State laws shall be
found to be Inadequate as prohibition
the aid of Congress will be invoked.
Cyanide of potassium is employed for
the separating process rarely, except when
the quantity of gold in the rock Is com
paratively insignificant. 1t Is power
Iay,
Not fish would remain alive within the
radius of its influence if a quantity OF the
poison should be dumped into the Poto'
mac nor could the water be used for any
purpose whatever
II is understood the establishment is To-
Gated some distance beyond the District
line, and that Maryland will have jurisdic-
ton. IT is not in operation. and the owner
has Doubtless already arranged to take
annie precaution against misuse of the
drug and careless draining. but the Dis
trict authorities will see to IL that even
the possibility of danger Is avoided.
H. T. Mcbride has been appointed an
additional private ON the police force, Il
serve between Ninth and Thirteenth and
| and q streets northwest
THE DAILY ORDERS.
Orders were issued today for the layint
| of sidewalks, under the assessment ant
permit system, In various sections VI tu'
| city, as follows:
| Cement side walks in W street northeast
| between Thirteenth and Fourteenth streets
| in Eighteenth street northwest, betweet
| Massachusetts venue and street, and be
| tween w street and Massachusetts avenue
in Ninetee nth street, between Dupont
Circle and Q street, and around Dupon,
| Circle, in front OF squares 113 to 10; i1
New Hampshire avenue northwest, be
| tween Dupont Circle and Q street, fronting
| SQUARE So and south 20 feet OF lot 3, square
| 135. In P street mort west between
Eighteenth street and Dupof,t Circle,
fronting square north of 1877.
| Brick sidewalks were ordered in Ken
| tucky Avenue southeast, between Lincoln
| Park and e street. fronting square lol4
| Work under the permit system, also. as
| follows:
| Cement side walk in front of No. l4ll
| Tenth street: brick sidewalk and new curt
| on west side OF Seventeenth street north
west. south from Willard street, ninety
| five feet: cement sidewalk i'll front or NO
7l2 Twelfth street. and in front or No