davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The evening times., 1899-12-05

The report of the Commissioners Of the
District Of Columbia, which was submitted
to the President Saturday, was transmitted
by him 10 Congress this afternoon for its
consideration and approval. The report is
divided into three parts. the first relating to
the conduct of affairs In the Police, Fire.
Health, and Street Lighting departments,
the offices of the Sealer of Weights and
Measures, the Harbormaster, the Coroner,
and the Excise Board, was prepared by
Commissioner Wight, President of the
board. The second section, de-
voted to statement of the con-
dition of the Districts finances,
public schools, street cleaning, Public Lii
brary, bathing beach, Assessors office. de-
partments of the Auditor and the Collector
of Taxes, was compiled by Commissioner
Ross and the third part. containing re-
sumo of the operations of the Engineer De-
psrtment, which includes the paving OF
streets and alleys, sidewalks, street rail-
ways, sewers, plumbing. Water Department,
Building Inspectors department. office OF
the Surveyor. highway extension plans, and
The Parking Commission, was written under
The direction of Commissioner Beach.
These three statements, which go 10 make
ND the full report of the operations in the
offices of the municipal government, are
really three separate and distinct reports,
and are based on the statements OF the va
rious heads OF the departments over which
the three Commissioners exercise authority.
Accompanying the report OF the Engineer
Department are the reports of all the sub
ordinate officers. In some cases, Captain
Ul.a head nT n
department 10 go 10 Congress without al
teration or comment, only referring to the
document in his report and directing at
tention 10 its contents.
It has been the endeavor of the Com
missioners to place before Congress and
the citizens OF The District in as brief
manner as possible full statement OF the
vast amount of work they were called
upon to supervise during the twelve
months between July /, 1898, and June 80,
1899 In some of the departments. The po-
lice fire, aud health offices, the labors that
deyolve on the chiefs and the subordinate
officers are voiuminous in character. and
the report of their operations would fill
much larger space than the Commission
ers desire 10 devote TO their respective Of
fees. The reports of the three depart
ments mentioned are very much in detail.
and the summary which has been made
for the general report the municipal au-
thcrities believe TO he the briefest way in
which the facts can be laid before Con-
gress All of the annual reports win be
submitted to the legislative committees
having in charge the District affairs. The
estimates of the Commi ssioneTs for the new
fiscal year nave all been published. and
only a small paragraph was devoted 10
them in the report simply referring the
members of Congress to the book which is
now in the hands of the Secretary OF the
Treasury.
Few of the suggestions for improve
ments which have been made are omitted
In The Commissioners statement. most OF
them being included and the advisability
of their adoption recommended.
The report in full follows:
The evening times., 1899-12-05

| tested; many Of those proving defectiv,
were destroyed ahd generally improved
conditions are Botiesable, and the number
OF complaints reSaj Wing dishonest dealers
have been remarkably few. The reeeipii
of the Office show the amount of work ac-
complished and it is gratifying to note
that, although the expenses have increas-
ed. there has beenkh larger increase pro-
portionately In these receipts, SO that the
Office is more than self-sustaining. A few
facts reported to the Sealer may be Of in
scales tested and sealed during the year
was Il. .494; the number Of measures tested
and sealed, e,051i the number of weights
tested and sealed 1889. The Sea.er says
the losses to the public by the use Of short
) measures can hardly be estimated, but
surely it has amounted to thousands OF
dollars and to a class upon whom the loss
falls very heavily. From December /,
1897, to July l, 1898, seven months. 1.02i
measures. and in the past twelve months
426 measures were confiscated, showing
great Improvement during the past over
the previous year. Rigid examinations and
regular inspection Of scales and measures
has had the desired effect of diminishing
the number. Of false weights and meas
ures.
Vigorous action has been taken by the
Hack Inspector, supplemented with such
assistance as the Commissioners could give
him to improve the conditions relative to
public vehicles In the District. II Is sat
isfactory to be able to state that In addi-
tion to the fine cab system inausurated by
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. there
is growing disposition on the part Of
those engaged in the business Of keeping
hacks for hire on the street to improve
them in appearance. Many disreputable
old vehicles have been abandoned, and in
their places are vehicles that are clean
and slightly. Attention is given also to the
matter Of rates, to prevent imposition
charges. Arrangements have already been
made whereby cabs will be distinctly de-
signated as to number, and folders giving
the exact rates will be plentifully supplied
to each vehicle, SO that there may be no
overcharging and no difficulty on the part
of the passenger in learning the proper
rates. 1t is confidently believed that an
other year will mark still greater improve
ments in the cab service OF the city.
reduction In the number OF barrooms
is noted in the report OF the Excise Board,
the total number allowed being SIG, re-
duction of is during the year, while the
total number OF wholesale licenses issued
was 125, reduction of 3.
During the year bill became law pro-
hibiting the sale of beer on Sunday by the
manufacturers thereof, which has had
markedly benefcent effect and for the pas
sage OF which many citizens are thankful.
A bill is still pending before Congress which
will take the place of the various laws
relating TO the sale OF liquor in the District,
which, it is believed, will still further i'm
prove general conditions without doing any
injustice to those who engage in its sale.
The evening times., 1899-12-05
THE SANITARY CONDITIONS.
Health Department Has Difficult >
in ENFORCING the Laws.

I.nIOFcIhk tne l1uVS
The various branches Of the Health De-
partment have each received energetic and
efficient service. and although the report OF
the Health Officer shows a slightly in
creased mortality, it is true that the con-
ditions generally relating TO sanitary
measures in the District have been greatly
improved. Many houses have been con-
nected with running water which formerly
had no modern water closet accommoda-
tions. Yards have been drained and sani-
tary measures generally enforced. Strange
as it may seem. when considering such
matters as are of vital Importance con-
cerning sickness and health. this is one of
the most difficult of all the departments of
the District government In which to en-
force the law. as there is apparently more
objection to slight payments of money for
such sanitary conditions than for almost
anything else. 1s
In the absencezofa "a census during the
period covered by sAis report it has been
necessary to eo{hpute such ratios as are
based upon the ndhber of inhabitants
upon the populaftod as estimated by the
Health Officer, which Is as follows: Whites,
19s, ,4S2: colored, IS, ,0sD; total, 2s7, 1852 The
total number q deAths which occurred
during the past year was 6,026, an increase
of Gil over the corresponding figure for the
preceding year,. The annual death rate
rose. therefore, from 1882 per 1,000 to
20.96. Among fhe whites there occurred
1872 deaths, am increase of 399, and the
death rate rose from 1853 to 1899. Among
the colored people there were 1854 deaths,
an increase Of 2. HAusing an increase in
the death rate dfrfh 27:51 to 29.S1.
Infectious disgeaf8, have been unusually
prevalent. and Mte tontributed largely to
the increased aorfality. Some of these
diseases are such as prevail from time to
time to a greater or less extent without
known cause, but even in the case of such
as are dependent upon conditions more or
less understood, as typhoid fever. the fac
tors responsible for the increased number
of deaths cannot be identified. From each
of the following named diseases the NOR
tality during the past year shows ma
,erial increase over that for the year pre-
ceding: Diarrhoea, diphtheria, grip, mala-
rial fevers. epidemic cerebro-spinal menin-
gifts, scarlet fever, and typhoid fever.
There was practically no increase in the
number Of deaths from violence, although
the number Of fatalities resulting from the
operation Of steam railways increased from
IL to 20, and those from street railways
from s to T. A detailed statement Of the
mortality Of the District, and a more ex-
tensive analysis thereof, appears in the re-
port Of the Health Ohicer.
The Increased number Of deaths from
scarlet fever and diphtheria represent, Of
course, an increased number Of. cases Of
these diseases, and the amount Of. work
The evening times., 1899-12-05
CONDITIONS IN THE DISTRICT
The Annual Report Of the Commissioners Pre-.
sented to Congress Today.

Statement Detail of the Work Accomplished by the
Police Fire. Health Water, and Street Lighting Depart
ments During the Last Fiscal Year-Insuficient Ap-
preparations a Great Hndrance-The Recommendations
for Various Branches of the Municipal Government.
The evening times., 1899-12-05

On February 2, 1899. bill was approved
by the President providing for the aboli-
tion of the smoke nuisance 1t being a law
with the proviso that it should go into
effect six months from its passage which
brought the enforcement of the act up to
August 2. In accordance with this law, an
inspector Of the Health Office was de-
tailed to give his entire time and atten-
tion to this matter. Observation was made
Of the various stacks emitting dense VOL
umes Of black or grey smoke" warrants
we're issued for the arrest of the proprie-
tors Of the establishments bearing the same,
the cases were called in court and dismissed
because the parties showed to the satifac-
tion Of the court that they had made honest
efforts to provide smoke consumers and so
to comply with the law.
The Commissioners were not satisfied
with this condition. believing that an at
tempt to provide a smoke consumer was
not a sufficient reason for exemption from
the penalties of the law. inasmuch as 1t Is
a well-known fact that there are other
ways of diminishing volumes of smoke,
and that even when smoke consumers are
applied careless use of them accomplishes
nothing in the direction Of prevention; that
the substitution of hard coal for soft coal
will diminish quantities of smoke; that
careful firing will have the same effect,
and, desiring to have the law thoroughly
tested, cases are now pending in the Pc.
lice Court, which, it is believed. will be
carried to the Court Of Appeals, so that a
final and complete test Of the law may be
made. 1t is not thought, however, that
the law is entirely satisfactory, as 1t ex-
empts certain classes Of property. and it
is the opinion Of the Commissioners that
The evening times., 1899-12-05
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.

The Public Saved Thousands of Dol
lars by the Department.
The good work iaugurated by the Sealer
Of Weights and Measures last year has
been maintained; the city has BEEN thor
oushly canyassed and scales and measures
The evening times., 1899-12-05

to pay out Of the general fund under act
Of March I. 1899, about $500. whenever q
certain outstanding invalid special assess
ment lien for $207.74. bearing interest at
10 per cent per annum to July 2. 1890, the
date OF the act Of Congress authorizing
the issued Of said drawbacks. is presented
for redemption. To the extent OF those
two amounts the District is practically in
debted to the owners of the certificates and
the holder of the lien.
There was outstanding July 1. 1899. In
the hands of private holders, $3,756.3S of
liens against private property for special
improvements and secured by special as
sessments, and $1.343.4s Of scrip issued
against private property by the late corpo-
ration Of the city Of Washington. and also
secured by special assessment. In case
any OF said assessments should for any
reason become uncollectfble, the liens or
scrip would be redeemable out Of the gen.
eral fund ANY obligation that the District
is under ON account of any. of said certifi-
Gates is much more than offset by the spe-
cial assessments. due the District, amount
ing to $17,502.5S and accrued interest
thereon at the rate Of 10 per cent per an
mum.
Under the requirements of section OF
the act approved March l, 1899, the Treas
urer of the United States transferred to
the Commissioners as general revenues
$7,607.11 Of such collections. and retained
$1,000 to redeem the s per cent certificates
and interest thereon called for payment
prior to the act of Congress of August 10,
1894.
General Assessment.
The assessment of taxable real estate
and personal property in the District of
Columbia July l, 1899, and estimated tax
deriyahle therefrom is as follows:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-03-25
OUR SOLDIER DEAD.
To Be Inferred In One of the Most
Beautiful Sites in Arlington.

Washington, March 25.-One of the most
beautiful sites in the Arlington National
cemetery has been selected the spot for
the last resting place of the dead soldiers
who lost their lives in the Cuban and
Porto Rican campaigns, and whose bodies
are not claimed by relatives.
Colonels Moore and True of the quarter
masters department were designated by
Secretary Alger to select the place. 1t is
on high ground overlooking the Potomac
river on the south side of the mansion
which was at one time the home of Robert
E Lee Secretary Moore has approved
the selection made by these two officers
and soon as the transports bring the
bodies to Washington they will be buried
with military honOrs. A handsome monu-
ment will be erected to mark the last
resting place of the heroes who died in
the service of their country. Colonel Moore
said this afternoon:
IF the parents and relatives knew what
good care would be taken of these graves
they would not ask to have the bodies
sent home to be buried in many instances
in the small cities, only to be disturbed
by the march of progress. If these bodies
are buried at Arlington the graves will be
taken care of as long as the government
stands and each decoration day the
people will decorate their graves"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-03-25

the opportunities themselves, it would
be impossible to resist them.
"They wanted to sell me all the farms
about Washington, pointing out the adj
vantages of building my own home, but
1 resisted. happened to know exactly
what I wanted. 1 heard a, story down
there which shows how they do things.
"a man who owns a farm in the sub
urbS heard about the money to be made
in real estate and decided to trade his
farm for city lots. He believed that
each Saturday night he would find his
wealth doubled He found an agent
who was ready to exchange. The agent
drove him out to his addition and ex-
planned the lay of the land told him
would run, and defined the site of the
park.
g BY the way asked the agent, where
is your FARM"
g It's about five miles nearer the city
than this was the reply. We passed
it on our way out
Il knew just what L wanted and they
could not sell me any real estate
want to lease a furnished house. 1t
must be a large house, that Is, it must
have plenty of room on the ground floor
so people can circulate. 1 suppose that
a good many people will come to see me
in Washington. They must have room
in which to move around.
There are perhaps thirty f1rst-class
houses there to rent. I examined them
all, climbed upstairs and down, turned
on the faucets, inspected the plumbing
and did the whole thing up thoroughly
while the real estate agents were muir
muring in my ear. Down there these
agents set about finding out just what
you want and then they try, to persuade
you that they have it. Each man is
certain that no other agent has such
house.
Il haven't decided yet which house I
shall take. L am not in a hurry. 1
expect to represent New York socially
and politically to the best of my ability.
I expect to perform my duties as sen
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-03-25
WOMEN ANGRY AT PECK.
Washington Patriots Denounce the
Paris Exposition Commissioner.

Washington, March 25-Some indignant
women patriots of Washington who are
for the flag and a government job are
after the scalp of Ferdinand W. Peck of
Chicago, commissioner general for the
Paris exposition. They are 'resoluting''
for vengeance, and the Post gives the fol-
lowing account of their taking the war
1.-The members of the Woman's National
Industrial and Patriotic league. of which
johnson secretary are very indignant at
Commissioner General Peck because of an
alleged refusal to employ any woman in
connection with the display. of the United
States in the Paris exposition
quarters last night strong resolutions were
adopted on this alleged failure of Commits
distribution of offices. and asking that in
retaliation for the arbitrary and unjust
ed by the American commissioners, the
women of the country who intended visit
more it. and also call upon the American
manufacturers and business men of the
country to resent this insult to American
industry, have, because of political ostra-
element, been unable to obtain state and
national appropriations. though taxed for
revenue to establish such expeditions, and
through political influence and chieanery.
Sommissoner 10 SeG Peck to ds1laV
their egotism and Injustice
the fact that there is to be held under the
auspices Of the league a woman's indus
tr1al exhibit IN this city IN May, 800, to
which the women of every country have
been invited to contribute and participate.
and where no Commissioner General Peck
will be in command
Commissioner General Peck was much
surprised that anyone should claim that
any discrimination has been shown against
women He said the commissioners had
endeavored to obtain special women S
department. but the French authorities
had refused to grant the request Re
claimed the charges of the National In
dustrial and Patriotic league were entirely
without foundation and that women would
| be represented in the coming exhibition
| the same as men.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-03-25
HIGH ART GOODS.
Ladies Tai1or-Made DreSseS-Pop-
u1ar Prices and the Latest Styles.

Judging by the continual stream in
and out our ladies' suit department the
ton they deserve. Topeka Cash Dry
Goods Co. methods are popular with the
rich as well as with the masses. Ask
. to be shown the following numbers; we
would like to have you see them
whether you wish to buy or not
No. 529-LadieS' Serge SuitS-Black or
Navy Blue-sizes 80 to So. Jackets
half lined with fancy percalines. 4.9S
No. 517-Ladies' Serge Suits-RoyaI
Blue or Black-sizes 80 to SO. Jackets
full lined with Italian so
sizes "a to SO. Jackets with fancy
striped silatine lining $12
No 542-Ladies' Camers Hair Serge
Suits-Navy or Black-sizes "a to IS.
Jackets full silk taffeta lined. $3.50
No 560-Ladies Cadet Wool Twill Suits
sizes "a to 50. Jacket fancy six serge
lined-a big bargain. $3.50
No. 522-Ladies' Green Mixed Ladies'
Cloth Suits-sizes 50 to 50. Jacket
half satin lined. $6.75
No. 5O1-Ladies' Brown Mixed Fancy
Venetian Suits. Jacket full satin
ined-sizes "a to $12. 95
No 537-Ladies Black Mohair Serge
Suits-sizes 80 to SO. Jacket silk lined
-$14.00 value ordinarily-at.. 81. rs
The very best bargains in our Suit De-
partment are the sample suits from
Bischof & Sons-sizes "a and SO only.
If the size is right you will save one
All our suits are from either The
Alexander Black Cloak & Suit Co. or
Bischof Sons-both makers with a
reputation second to none for first
class workmanship.
SKIRTS.
This stock is double as large at least as
we have ever carried, embracing a
range of prices from CSC up to $13. so.
and an assortment unsurpassed in this
city for variety. AS in Suits special
care has been taken to carry only
makers of established reputation. Our
personal guarantee also goes with
every garment.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-03-25
DEPEW'S HOUSE HUNT.
Describes the Washington Real
Estate Man as an Agreeable


New York, March 25.-These are the
observations of Chauncey M. Depew,
senator-elect, who has returned from a
house hunting expedition to Washing
ton, much wearied, but fuller of wis
dom. He also added one story to his
repertoire.
''House-hunting in Washington is like
house hunting everywhere else said
Mr.. Depew, judicially, yesterday after
noon. 1T can be properly described
only in words unfit for publication. L
haven't done any house-hunting for a
good many years. Mrs. Depew SELECTED
the house we bought in FOrty-ffth
street and I bought this one myself. I
happened to dine here one night a good
many years ago. 1t was just the kind
of a house I wanted. 1 made the owner
an offer and he accepted it.
Il was in measure unSophiSticated
as a house hunter when I went to
exposures, plumbing, thing, ventilation
and easy stairs than the average real
estate agent. And 1 have respect for
the real estate agent, particularly the
Washington real estate agent. He is
much more advanced, more scientific,
and at the same time more enthusiastic
than the New York man.
1.-The Washington real estate man is
a fascinating and agreeable chap with
the finest assortment of fairy tales I
ever listened to, and L am a man of
some experience. They are having an
other real estate boom down there and
pretty much rybody is interested in
make your fortune. Their philanthropy
is really oppressive. They prove to you
concluSively that if you follow their ad-
vice you are bound to get rich while
YOU wait. If it wasn't for the fact that
they don't seem to take advantage of
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-03-25

chief markets are almost as large in
1892.
Manufacturers make many inquiries. but
the prospect of combinations is potent TO
hinder transactions The goods are in
rather better demand than year ago, but
no large class of mills can be fully en-
ployed. The demand for cotton goods is
still strong, but this week has not materi-
ally advanced prices. Cotton is decidedly
weaker, though many believe that short
supplies will in time insure higher prices,
but mill and commercial stocks are about
and mill stocks heavier because the mills
are buying very little, although crowded
with work, while the commercial stocks
here are quite large.
The wheat market is just now somewhat
stronger, for, although the western re-
against 2557, $50 bushels last year, and for
three weeks. 100000 bushels larger. the
exports. flour included, have been for the
week from Atlantic ports 2,920.467 bushels,
against s, 124 500 bushels last year. and from
Pacific ports S24, 1873 bushels. against 1871
$50. 800 bushels. 1t is not possible to ignore
the Importance of so great demand ex-
tending beyond the middle of March, and
sober traders realize that it means heaV-
Ter outgO than has been yet expected.
Western crop estimates are large and
wheat for the coming year are, on the
whole. favorable but prices are 33sc higher
than last week. while corn is 214c higher.
The market for cotton has been decided
ly weak, owing to somewhat better re-
ceipts at the south and also to the cOnvic-
ton that stocks on hand are large enough
to meet all demands.
Failures for the week have been 200 in
the United States, against 251 last year, and
"a in Canada, against q last year.