The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-24
AFFAIRS OF THE DISTRICT
A Complaint About Lights and Pc
lice on Connecticut Avenue.
A Rcsidcnt Wants the Old Street
Lamps Rcst0rcG-Tbc Quality OF
tho GINS Criticised-A Fireman Dis
mtsKed-A Petition for the Ex-
tension OF u Public Sewer Mnin-

Among the grist OF complaints which
reached the Commissioners yesterday was
enc from Mrs. David Smith, CT INA Con-
necticut Avenue, who asked that the cleo
trio lights in the square in which she lives
be removed and that gas lights be put in
their place. She also asks for better po-
lice protection.
In her letter Mrs Smith informs the
Commissioners that her family are resi-
dents-and taxpayers of the District CT Co.
lumbia and that they are supposed to have
weil-lighted streets and ample police pro-
lection. She complains that the electric
lights do not light Connecticut Avenue well
ard she asks that they be taken away and
the old gas lamps brough; back as they
were few years ago. She intimates that
the progress Of electric lighting as eNem-
plified in the street in question is prog
ress that goes backward. At all events
she asserts that the avenue in the block
referred to is much of the time in total
darkness, source of great inconvenience
to herself and family at night when they
are called to go out in the evening.
Mrs. Smith also complains that the po-
lice protection in that section is inadequate
to the needs OF the people and that on that
account neither property nor life is very
safe there.
The letter closes by repeating the re-
quest for The removal of the electric
lights and the stationing Of policeman
opposite the house while the change is
being made.
The Commissioners yesterday referred
ha 10 cfyin
an opinion regarding the electric lights
and to the Police Department for consid-
Grafton of that part of the letter relating
to insufficient police protection.
The Commissioners yesterday received
a letter from Alfred L. Leonard of 1917
Seventeenth Street, in which he called
attention to the poor quality Of gas fur
nished by the Washington Gas L ght
Company. and asks to have the matter
Investigated. as he believes the company
is experimenting to secure cheaper sas.
MIR. Leonard asserts in his letter that
the gas is not only bad, but positively
dangerous, because of its fitful pre- ssure.
He informs the Commissioners that every
gas jet lighted in his house the other
night suddenly went cut, and Re says h g
near Eeighbors have had similar el-
pericnces. Mr.. Leonard asserts that he
has been driven to the use of lamps 10
get sufficient light to read by, and he be-
1ieves the same conditions to exist IN
every part of the city. He closes his let
ter with an expression of his belief that
the gas company is carrying on expert
Eients with view to manufa curing and
serving to its patrons cheaper kind of
gas.
II is understood that the Commission
ers Will order an Investigation into Tire
comma through the nrGper
Sister Mary Euphrasia, Vice President
and Treasurer of Trinity College, recent
ly sent a petition to the Commissioners
asking for the extension of the public
main sewer from Edgewood through the
property of W. D. Davidge and Trinity
College to the north line of Michigan
Avenue. about 800 feet west of Hardwood
Road. Incidental to the request the writer
informed the Commissioners that the
right of way would be given absolutely
for the same.
In reporting upon the matter to the
Commissioners the Superintendent OF
Sewers referred to report On the subject
made May IA, 1900, in which it was shown
that the proposed sewer would cost s32,-
$50, which should be provided for by
special appropriation.
The Engineer Commissioner in forward
ing the statement TO his associates recon-
mended that the writer be informed in
accordance with the view of the Super
intendent of Sewers.
Sister Mary Euphrasia accordingly was
yesterday informed that the Commission
ers are without authority to construct
the proposed sewer without special legis-
lation of Congress on the subject.
The Commissioners yesterday had be-
fore them for consideration the case of NJ.
Dorsey, of the Fire Department, who was
found guilty Of being asleep while on duty
at the desk in the stationhouse of No 9
FIRE company. Dorsey was found guilty by
the trial officer. pleading guilty to the
charge and caying that while reading a
newspaper he was overcome with sleep.
Z Joseph Paris, the Chief Engineer of the
Department in passing upon the case,
recommended to the Commissioners that
Dorsey be removed from the force as he
regarded the offence as very serious one
while on watch.
The Commissioners recently received
request from DR.. r. A. Pyles of lis Mon
roe Street. Anacostia. that an item be in
cluded in the estimates submitted to Con-
gress fer the extension of Jackson Street
and fo- the widening of Good Hope Road.
In considering the matter yesterday
Capt. Lansing II. Beach, the Engineer
Commissioner. recommended TO his col
leagues that DIR. Pyles be informed that
the question of the condemnation of streets
80 as to provide for their extension is
matter which cannot be included by the
Commissioners In their estimates, but
must be made 4 matter Of special iegisla-
tion.
This recommendation was approved by
the other Commissioners.
A BANQUET FOR THE TROOPS.