Evening star., 1898-04-26
STATUTE BARS THE WAY
District Cannot Use sshs D Street Engine
House al FMoEgus.
Opinion of Attdsllney Thomas, to
Whom the aug.tion WA. Re-
ferred-yThc alternatives.

1t Is understood that the attorney for the
District Mr.. S. T. Thomas has informed
the District Commissioners that there Is a
law which stanas In the way of their prop
osftfon to convert thesD street engine house
into a norgue. 1t appears that this prop
erty belongs to the United States and that
1t can only be used by the District for the
purposes of the fire department.
1t VIII be recalled. as was stated in The
Star several days ago. that Commissioner
Wight suggested, as a substitute for the
so-called morgue of the District, which Is
not only an eyesore, but also an intolerable
nuisance, that the d. street engine house
could, with the sum of $1O4O inserted by
the Senate in the pending District appro-
priation bill for the repair of the morgue
be converted into well-equipped modern
institution. This proposition has aroused a
decided protest on the part Of property
owners in the neighborhood of the d street
mousse and on the part of business men in
tnat section OF the city, their protests be-
ing based on two grounds-the necessary
removal OF the chemical engine company
with the accompanying loss of protection
from f1re and the placing of the morgue in
such central and conspicuous portion of
the city, with the accompanying damage %
property values.
The discovery Of the law governing the
grant by the government of the u street
rouse has been made known to the Com
missioners, and one of three things must
now be done: Obtain from Congress such
special legislation as will enable them to
use the ID street house for a morgue, use
tne sum expected TO be agreed to by the
House for placing the present morgue IN
sanitary condition, or ask Congress to
grant them such sum as will permit
them to erect new morgue on some site
owned either by the United States or by
the District. This matter is now, it Is
unc cerstood, being considered by the Com
m.ssioners, the indications beng tkat the
proposition to use the d street engine
house for morgue purposes will be aband-
oned by them.
Speaking to q Star reporter this after
roor Oh the matter. Commissioner Wight
explained that, while he is of the opinion
tnat tne conversion of the d street house
into a morgue would be the best solution,
perhaps, Of the whole question, he is not
, by any means welded to that proposition.
y recognize the difficulties in the way in
. the shape of the law governing the Dis
trict's right TO use this property, and l
also recognize the fact that property own
ers and business men in the neghborhood
are very much opposed to removing the
chemical engine company even few
squares away and converting the house into
a morgue. and If we can obtain a site else
where and also obtain from Congress such
sum will enable the Commissioners
to erect a new morgue. that would be a
solution of the question not only perfectly
agreeable to me- but also, believe, to my
associates on the board of Commissioners.
1.-The suggestion has been made that a
morgue could be most advantageousiy situ-
ated on the river front for instance, and
to that proposition have no objection. pro-
vided, of course. Congress will give US the
money necessary to build it. 1 do not be-
lieve, however. that the proposed new
morgue should be erected on the lot in the
rear Of the sixth police precinct. We will,
however, fully consider the whole question,
and in view OF the fact that every one
agrees with usI thatithe present so-called
morgue is disgrace to the District and
| a menace to public health, 1 believe we will
reach conclusion wholly satisfactory to
every one IL sh