Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-06


1t is gratifying to be able to report that
the whole question of liquor selling in the
District Of Columbia, SO far 1t relates
TO bar rooms, is apparently in satisfac-
tory condition. But few Of those who are
licensed to sell liquor in this way have
violated the law and not many serious
troubles have arisen in connection with
the sale of liquor at these places. If the
same wise course is continued it is be-
lieved that the evil consequences always
resulting from The sale OF liquor will he
reduced to minimum, ana Washington
Will be as free from such consequences as
1t can be so long as bar rooms exist.
Licenses for Breweries.
Attention was called in the last annual
report to the Commissioners to the matter
of breweries doing business in the District
and the necessity fer legislation regarding
their sale of beer on Sunday. Strenuous
efforts are made to enforce the law in re-
gard to the sale of liquor on Sunday, but
these efforts are more than counteracted
as long as beer can be bought at the brew
cries In quantities and taken to houses,
vacant lots and other PLACES to he drank
y al sorss OF people, occasioning the
greatest amount of annoyance and dis
turbance. to the discomfort of citizens and
the discredit of the city. Many complaints
have been made regarding this matter, and
1t Is earnestly hoped that legislation may
be effected at this session of Congress
which will remedy the evil
In addition to the brew cries referred to,
there are in the city agents of breweries
in other cities who sell beer on Sunday and
who are also exempted from license tax
by the provision of section l of the act OF
March ), 1888, which makes the law appli-
cable Ito the sale of intoXicantS by the
maker brewer or distiiler thereof, not to be
sold on the premises"
Municipal Building.
No greater or more pressing need exists
in connection with the municipal govern
ment than the need for a municipal build
ing. Although the city has grown within
the last twenty-five years so as to exceed
by many thousands the population of that
time. and the work of administering mu-
nicipal affairs has kept pace with the
growth of the city, there has never been
adequate provision made for housing the
off1ces and giving the proper facilities for
the transaction of business. Not a single
department OF the municipal government al
present has sufficient room suitable &C
commodationS for carrying on the large
amount of business which daily comes be-
fore ii. While this is true of all depart
ments, it is especially true of the police
department and the offices of the assessor
ana collector of taxes. These are the three
departments with which a larger ma jority
of the people have to do than with any
other, and it is TO the greatest discomfort
OF the people in transacting business with
them that they are compelled to attend to
tne same IN the narrow and restricted quar-
tiers assigned them.
In addition to this fact it is decidedly in
furious to the health of the clerks en-
ployed, on account of the insufficient VEN
ulation and hight. Washington should
surely be provided with municipal build
ing thar would not only be adequate in its
accommoda tions, but creditable to the ma
tional capital. A small amount is asked
i'll the estimates for the ensuing year with
which to get plans for new building with
which to make a beginning. 1t is hoped
mat this will not be again denied u.s. but
that we may now begin the erection of
TINS building, which has been so seriously
needed, and which all the citizens of the
District are anxious to see an accomplished
Tact in the near future.
Suggestion by Board of Trade.
While there is some demand for money
Tor local needs that are so peculiar to
W washington, the necessity for municipal
buildings is so universally felt and recog-
nized that this cannot but appeal to every
member CT Congress as a reasonable and
proper request
IN this connection attention is invited to
me lhcloSed letter of the committee on
public buildings of the Washington board
OF trade. representing the citizens of the
District, which ives addressed to the board
under I date CT November Is. instant:
Inc committee public buildings
Washington board cf trade, having learned
mat you are at work preparing your part
oi the annual report of the Commissioners,
D. G., would call your attention to the fol-
loving, WIN the hope that you may see
your way clear to make it a part.
The present quarters of the municipal
government are not sufficient in size nor SO
arranged, as to permit of the various de-
partments performing properly and cor
rectly the duties assigned to them Any one
can see at a glance that they are cramped
for room. The mere fact that 1t is a rented
building forhids the making or consum-
mating Of such plans as are a permanent
character, either for the transaction of
business or ming away of books, papers,
ETC.
1--WE cannot understand how men as in
telltSent as are the members of Congress
can fail to see the unsuitableness of the
present building and the great need of a
new municipal building of such size as will
give ample and necessary space with such
arrangements of a permanent character as
Will make provision for the safe-keeping
and preservation Of the books, papers, etc.
of the municipal offices and courts. Should
they be destroyed 1t would be impossible
TO duplicate them.
1T is we'll known that the courts of the
District are inadequateIy provided for in
the present court building, or city hall, it
being overcro Tded and unfit for the pur-
poses for which it is used. Its condition in
side and outside is disgrace to the gen.
eral government and to the city,
This communication was signed by Thos
Somerville, Geo. Gibson and A. A. Thomas.
Health Department.
No part of the Commissioners report.
probably, is OF more interest or Importance
than that of the health officer, relating, as
it does to such matters affect the COM
fort, health and life of every one dwelling
in the District of Columbia. The report
is full of interest. and its recommendations
are concurred in by the Commissioners and
the attention of Congress is especially IN
vited to the same
The degree to which various diseases and
the resulting deaths occurred in .he Dis
trict during the past year, as shown by
the record of vital statistics, affords the
only available index as to the sanitary Oh
ditions prevailing during that period. 1t
is interesting. therefore, to note that the
death rate, 2O.71 per thousand, was prac-
tically as low as at any time during the
past twenty-five years, and it is especially
gratifying that there has been a marked
diminution during that entire 1ericd. The
high death rate among the colOred race.
$3.50 which makes up practically one-third
of the community, tends 20 raise the rate
for the city as whole, that for the whites
being but 1903.
Comparative Statement.
The entire number of deaths which &C.
CURED during the year was 5,737. Of which