Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-01-01


an energy and direa2ness Of purpose s that
inspired general adplrati9n and approval.
the executive committee a number of gen.
tiement OF prominence and valuable expe-
rlence In such affaiSs. When the question
of selecting place In Which to hold the
Inaugural bali was considered there were
many suggestions presented and PROPOSE
tons were made to secure the new Congres-
slonai Library and the new city post office
pension office. The admirable oualifica lions
OF the latter structNre, however, were too
Fl edominant for the executive committee
to consider either Of the others, and 1t was
A guarantee fund Of over $4,000 has been
subse ribed toward meeting the expenses of
the Inaugural ton, and from present ap-
pearances the ceremonies next March will
be more notable In point of beauty and
masnificence than any which have been
held on similar occasion.
DISTRICT POLITICS.
Te- was great activity among local
poi ticians of all parties in the early
months of the year, owing to the approach
OF the national conventions, to which dele
gates from the District of Columbia were
to be chosen. Many candidates appeared
TOT the privilege of representing local re-
publicans at the St. Louis convention, and
= bitter and exciting campaign was waged.
A primary election was held which re-
suited in the choice of Andrew Gleason and
Perry H. Carson as delegates Mr. Carson
nad been member of the national republi-
can committee, but failed to be reelected
after the convention, Mr. Myron M Parker
being selected in his stead.
The democrats waged no less al, ami
mated campaign, and elections were held
at which delegates were chosen to a con
vention that met in the Academy of Music
Six delegates were chosen to the Chicago
convention. They were William Hoimead.
John Boyle, George Killeen, E. l.. Jordan.
FRANK +. Morgan and r. s. Mattfngiy
Inese delegates attended the Chicago CON
vention. ard the result was change in the
membership of the democratic nationa
committee from the District of Columbia.
Mr.. Lawrence Gardner being chosen to
tnls position IN place of Mr. James L. Nor
TS.
During the last days of the year there has
been much speculation over the disposition
or the federal patronage in the District ua-
der the incoming administration, and many
names are being mentioned in connection
with the various offices.
THE FIRE RECORD.
The years fire record was a sad one, in
Volyfng, as 1t did, the loss of so many lives.
and number of them were sacrificed by
brave firemen in their efforts to do more
than their duty in saving property from de-
strnctfon. In other cases the careless han
ding or coal Oil or gasoline ended life,
While In still others the fire started in the
dead hour of the night and the victims
were helpless because of being enveloped
by the flames and persisted before they
could be rescued During the year the fire
department was increased by the addition
Of new companies. which necessitated the
employment of an additional number of
men, At some Of the larger fires, as W Ill
as at the smaller ones, the firemen re-
celVed valuable assistance from The police
as well as from citizens. The keyless nre-
alarms on street corners in business paris
OF the city, have caused, the firemen aud
policemen some LITTLE tfpubIe during tire
year. When they were .h,st put W. sew
e erai runs were made.to them because some
curious person or mischief maker had
turned the crank, bit now the people are
more used to them and i. seldom happens
that one of them is Iulted except by an
i ,i,t y. ate. man. BESIDES being educate 1
offenders had its effect, 60 that now verv
little trouble Is bsinsa caused Anothe:.
thing that has happened which was bene-
nciai to the Department. was the large
number of local alarms sent in These
alarms are also known as silent alarms.
from the fact that a company goes out on
telephone notice Without the turning in
OF regular alarm, which is necessarily
aGeompanied by the ringing of the bells,
which caH out several companies and a
CORRESPONDENCE large crowd. In case IF
small fires the sending In Of a local alarm
NOT only saves the fire horses an unneces-
sary run. but it also has the effect of keep
ing more companies in their houses in
event CT an alarm being turned in from
some other place shortly after the first
e .a inns as a matter Of course means
that the city is better protected During
the next twelve months the officials hone
to get from Congress an appropria ton SUI
nc1e mt to equip one or more new compa-
mes IN sections not now SO well protected
as others.
During the twelve months Just ended the
property loss by fire was about $425
There were many fires which resulted from
gasoline or coal Oil explosions. Especially
during the summer season, the gasoline
fires gave trouble not only to the depart
ment, but to the persons who met with AZ
cidents In using them. But in almost every
instance the fremen found that careless
ness In handling the liquid fluid had caused
the fires. The first fatal fire OF the wear
was caused ~ the filling OF a gasoline stove
while lighted. This was On the 2Sth of JAM
uary, when Frody Fletcher was burned to
Geath. 1t was at as 9Th street northwest
that this fatality occurred, and the alarm
sent In for 1t was from box 120
feoiuafy Al there was big fire along the
river front, which started in the big ware
ncuse OF r. NJ. Willis. There was a heavy
gale blowing at the time, and 1t seemed for
while as If one section of South Washing
ton would go up in smoke. AS it was.
there were two fires started from the flying
Goals. and considerable damage was done.
A loss OF $4,000 was sustained by the own
ers OF the property along the river front.
Eighteen days later there was some un-
easfness experienced by District officials
when 1t was known that there was a fire
at the aims house. Box 527 was sounded
1or this fire, and when IT became known
that the building mentioned was burning.
some fear was entertained for the old and
feeble ones there. but as 1t turned out. only
one OF the heating pipes had caused a little
smoke
The big fire on Louisiana avenue and
street occurred May 49, This was by far
the most serious fire of the year. resulting
IN larger property damage and attended
by the loss of more human lives. than any
other conHagrat The fire started early
IN the evening, soon after dark and the
srease-soaked commission houses were SO
soon enveioped that the firemen found
great difficulty in checking the flames, and
not until far into the night were the flames
checked to the extent that some of the fire.
men could be relieved. But during the Sc
yerest OF the fire. when members of one
&C mpany had been imprisoned in one of
the buildings, and the members of another
company went to their rescue, there came
q crashing OF walls and timbers. and five
nves' the lives of brave firemen, were end
ca. AS many more were bruised and In
}upeo Inc property loss amounted to $40.