Evening star., 1899-05-31
COMPLAINTS FROM CITIZENS.
Suggestions and Protests Concerning Z
the Enforcement Of Local Laws.

The Star has received unications
from readers concerning the manner in
which the laws in regard to health, etc, are
enforced in the District. Mr.. John L. Schaf-
fert of 427 I street northwest writes;
II would like to know for whose benefit
our poor methods in regard to the construc-
tion of houses to be occupied By human be-
ings are ordered?
Now / am an old and experienced build
err learned my trade in the old country
and have been in business in the city OF
Washington for the last thirty-five years.
During that time ! had many contentious
to deal with in my line of business. The
people of this city in many instances are
compelled to outlay more money in their
building than necessary. lake, for IN
stance, the plumbing: With less money bet
ter results could be obtained a terra cot
ia pipe of tirSt-claSS quahty, well cemented
with the best Portland cement, will always
be clean The pipes used here at present
are cast iron, and the inhabitants of Wash
ington have all had the pleasant experience
that results when in moist weather those
pipes eXhale their fine perfume. Sickness
is the result such as malaria, scarlet fever,
diphtheria, typhoid fever, etc, all caused by
the stencil from the iron sewer pipes. These
are facts. | had the experience In my own
house which | had erected according to
regulations and which was inspected by
the inspector of plumbing for the District.
The water pipes we used formerly We're OF
galvanized iron. | had some taken up that
had been in the ground for twenty-five
years and they were as good and whole
some as when new. And why is ii that the
property owners are compelled TO put IN
lead pipes, which are injurious to health if
the water remains in them any length of
time? AT the same time these pipes cost
from three to five times more, and are liza
BILE to be eaten through and ruined by rats
/ have seen this, and had to pay for repairs
on that account.
"On the 18th day of March our Commits
sioners granted permission to the Chesa-
peake and Potomac Telephone Company to
replace six poles in Prather'S alley between
4th and 9Th and | and X streets north
west ! would like to ask the Commission
ers in what holes. they were going to re-
place the new ones? There were never any
poles in there to be replaced. Twenty-Five
property holders objected to the putting up
of the poles, and the Commissioners prom
ised two of them and their attorneys to
notify them when they would act on the
case. But they never notified the petition
ers but granted and tried to uphold the
permit. This they could not do, thanks to
the honorable court. We have justice in
our courts yet. The holes the telephone
company made are all nicely flled up and
paved again. That is so much for justice.
If every one of our citizens knew his rights
we would sail smoothly. But 1 am out the
expenses which | incurred in the fight with
the telephone company. Who pays them?'
Charles F. Linger S11 7th street north
west, writes to complain that. despite what
he understands to be the law passed some
time ago, the practice of eXpectorating to-
bacco juice upon the sidewalks is still in
vogue among some people in this city. He
says that this morning there were six
great splotches of tobacco juice in front of
his place of business, and continues:
1T looks disgraceful. 1t is trying to mer-
chants who desire to keep a clean, neat
looking place and, above all. it is annoying
to the ladies, especially at this time of year.
when the wearing of light apparel is almost
universal