The evening times., 1898-12-05

proved style, provided with rubber tires
and in every way a credit to the company
1t is hoped that similar innovation will
be made at the other railroad station and
that the movement will result in the gen.
eraI Improvement of the cab and hack
service of the city. At present many pub
lie vehicles are in such dilapidated con-
dition as to provoke deserved criticism.
Excise Board.
During the year the excise board has
pursued the policy of reducing as far as
possible the number of barroOm licenses
and preventing the establishment of too
many barrooms in any one locality. The
total number of barroom licenses Is now
532, and the number of wholesale licenses
1874. Existing legislation regarding the
sale of liquor is enforced, but new laws
are very much needed, especially one
which will prohibit the sale of beer on
Sunday by the breweries-
Harbor Master.
THE work of the harbor master, with the
patrol boat. has progressed satisfactorily
The Commissioners earnestly recommend
favorable action on the estimate for new
machinery and the complete equipment
of this busy little craft, in order that the
many duties devoiving upon it may be
large amount of wharf property demands
protection, the Washington and George
town channels must be pOliced. dead bod
les dragged for, the fish and game laws
enforced, and security afforded the nu-
merous shipping interest along the entire
river front
Attention is again invited to the neces-
sity for the construction of a public ere
matory to dispose of that class or lndl-
gents who are now buried in the potter 5
field 1t is hoped that some provision can
be made in the near future for the estao-
lishment of such service.
Decisions of the attorney have shorn
the health department of almost all of the
authority which it was formerly supposed
to have under the act TO prevent the
spread of scarlet fever and diDhtheria.
Its work is now almost entirely education
al in character and not conducive TO the
best results. Unless amendments 10 the
existing law are secured, or new law
passed, no action can be taken looking to-
ward the limitation of the spread OF these
diseases.
Municipal Building.
with the return of prosperity and with
a full treasury it is hoped that the Oh
jections heretofore made TO granting an
appropriation for a municipal building
have at last been overcome, and that at
the coming session OF Congress the pend
ing bill, or a modification OF il, will re-
ceiYe favorable action and a start made
in securing a structure worthy of the ma
tions capital The highway extension
act railroad grade crossings. the recla-
nation of the Eastern Branch flats, and
street railroads have engaged the atten-
tion of the Commissioners, the citizens
and Congress during the past few years
To the exclusion of other important con-
siderations. All these however. have been
settled or are in a fair state of adjudica-
ton. so that the energies of all interested
may be centered on the accomplishment
of this worthy object with every assur-
ance of success.
The smoke Nuisance.
Attention is invited to the extensive
consumption of soft coal which has 50
rapidly increased that it promises at no
distant date to very seriously mar the
beauty OF the city and destroy the pleas
ures which enhance its value as a place
of residence. a bill providing the neces-
sary relief has passed the House and is
now pending in the Senate, Its enact
ment would result in the abatement Of
this nuisance. of which just complaint is
so frequently made by our citizens.
The Removal of Garbage.
The removal of garbage has been at
tended with comparatively little COM
plant under an arrangement by which
the contractor has daily conveyed the
same in suitable covered scOws to a point
below the District line where ii has been
utilized on property purchased by him for
it's reception. The crematury at the foot
for use should navigation be closed during
the Winter
THE Commissioners are Of the opinion
that the disposal of garbage should be
undertaken by the municipality and not
by contract, il being part of the general
waste of the city, and that in connection
Herewith provision should also be made
for the disposition of all items of waste.
such as ashes, tin cans, paper. rags. bot
ties etc. In a practical demonstration of
the utility of a city'S waste IL has been
conclusively proven that it is not without
intrinsic value and may be converted
into n source of revenue which Will ma
terialiy defray the expense incident 70 its
disposal. Congress will, accordingly. be
petitioned to confer upon the COmmis-
sfoners' authority to act in this direction
independent of the contract system.
The Navy Yard Bridge is entirely in
adequate to properly serve the travel
which is required to pass over it, II
should be replaced at an early date by
a modern structure. Estima ties for this
work have been submitted to Congress
for several years. but so far no results
have been obtained.
Improvement i'm Management.
During the year the Commissioners. de-
string to ascertain whether the business
of the office was being conducted on the
/ best and most modern principles, appoint
ed a committee consisting of the auditor
of the District, the secretary of the Board
| of Commissioners and the head of one OF
the divisions of one of the engineer de-
partment This committee was further
| augmented by the addition of Mr.. f. T
! Bushnell. who supervises the eNamina-
| ton of District accounts at the United
| States Treasury.
| In order that a wide scope of inquiry
| might be afforded this committee was au-
| thorized to proceed to other cities and
| there investigate the methods in vogue
| As a result of this investigation important
| information has been acquired in connec-
| ton with the systems of tax collection
and other municipal transactions. OF es-
| pecial value were their observations in the
! auditing departments of some of the lar
! gest railroad companies in the East.
| The report of this committee is eXepctei
| shortly and marked improvements are an
! ticipated 1t is believed that by the appli
| cation of more approved methods better
| results will attend the work of the cleri
! cal force.
PREPARING TO RAISE
| THE REINA MERCEDES