The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-12-01
AFFAIRS OF THE DISTRICT
A Complaint of Objectionable Com
ditions on ? Street. Near Fifth.
Ashes From Six Houses Carried Out
Through II Narrow Alley-Dirt and
Door-pcrmit for Rees:nblishinG
Brick Plant-Routinc Notes.

William H. Comes, NJ. D, of 500 r
Street northwest. recently complained 10
the Commissioners that ashes. trash, and
refuse are left on the sidewalk in front oil
his premises By the collector OF ashes.
and also of the refuse left by coal carts
and other vehicles hauling things into
the neighborhocd He states that he has
been repeatedly annoyed by the city ASH
cart service in his neigh5orhood. in the
first place, he says they stop the cart ai-
rectly in front of his house in order to get
the refuse and ashes from little three
foot alley adjoining the premises, but
which accommodates row of six houses
having their fronts on Fifth street He
informs the Commissioners that when the
ash cart departs there is always a lot OF
ashes, trash. and refuse lett on the siae-
walk He cites one instance in which by
actual measurement more than busnei
of ashes was left on the pavement and III
the gutter.
Or. Comes also complains that coal de-
livered 10 the houses in Fifth Street from
which the refuse is taken is carried
through the alley. The coal Is
dumped upon his pavement and one or Two
men are engaged for some time in carry
Ing the coal into the cellars OF the al
jacent houses, but he says these men
never clean the sidewalk or even ask per
mission to dump the coal. In Closing MS
letter Dir. Comes says:
Il respectfully insist that as citizen
and a taxpayer of the District ought not
to be made to suffer for the convenience
of my neighbors however innocent they
may be of any intention to annoy or TO
injure me. l have no complaint TO make
against anyone personally. II is the con-
dition that complain Of. not the people.
/ have complained to the agent VINO mas
charge of the Fifth Street houses. / have
also spoken to the sergeant at the flfth
Street police staten in an informal way.
In short. l have tried in every way to
avoid making a formal complaint to the
District authorities but | feel now that
must complain of the existing nuisance
and ask that something be done to lessen
the evil"
The complaint was referred TO the
Street Cleaning Department, and Warner
Stutler. the Superintendent. reported that
Dr. Comes complaint with reference TO
the scattering of ashes and refuse on the
sidewalk would be called to the attention
of the contractor. with directions that he
instruct his men TO be more careful in the
future and to see that there is no further
cause of complaint Of this character.
With reference TO the dumping of coal on
the sidewalk, Mr.. Stutler informed the
Commissioners that the matter did not
belong to his department, and he recon-
mended that this part of the complaint be
referred to the Police Department
The Commissioners yesterday approved
this recommendation.
7 ESri1 of
has written to the Commissioners, asking
information relative to the re-establish-
meat of the brick yard on site occupied by
the Childs Brick Company, near Ivy City.
The Inspector of Buildings. in reporting
upon the request. quotes from the build
ing regulations to show that no provision
is made for the re-establishment of brick
yards on sites heretofore used. Therefore
he expresses the opinion that under the
existing conditions no further permit for
the relocation of this yard is necessary. He
informs the Commissioners that they ap-
proved the appica ton for the old yard
April IA 1880.
The recommendation of the Inspector of
Buildings was yesterday approved by the
Commissioners. and Mr. FriZzel will be in
formed in accordance Herewith.
Lieut.. ]. E. Heffner commanding the
report to the Superintendent relative to the
character of show going on in premises
1910 Seventh Street northwest. The report
includes complaints from several adjacent
householders of the crowds which congre-
gate about the place. and states that the
patrolman on the beat is continually busy
while the show is in progress to keep the
sidewalk free from obstruction.
The Superintendent in transmitting The
lie
that the license be revoked If possibl.
and that no further license be granted for
the reasons assigned in the report. and
for the additional reason that the show
is not elevating in character.
James Z. Arnold. jr.. has made appli-
cation for reinstatement in the police
force. after being dismissed. He alleges
that the sergeant who preferred charges
against him made false statements. The
Super:n, endent in reporting upon the ;p-
plication states that he has gone into the
question personally and that he knows no
reason why the applicant should not be
reinstated He advises that the matter
of false statement be carried TO the court
for adjudication.
A. p. Pardon, of 1918 Street north
west, recently communicated with the
Commissioners requesting that the width
of the roadway in Erie Street and Ontario
Avenue, Meridian Hill. be established at
% feet and the sidewalks at 10 feet. with
a 9 - foot tree space. In making TINS
request Mr. Pardon states it as his belief
that this arrangement has been adopted
on several 5C-foot streets in the District.
In reporting On the case, c. II. Hunt,
the Computing Engineer. states that as
far as buildings at present constructed
are concerned il would be practicable 10
widen both streets either by dedication or
by the building restriction In yiew OF
the nature of The streets and the fact that
they extend several squares. and will I'M
doubtedly be largely Travelled thorough
fares as the surrounding country is built
up. the Computing Engineer states that
Il roadway establishment OF less than 30
feet would be injudicious as well as con-
,rary to the practice of his Office. Where
a less width than 80 feet has been used
in streets it will he found. he says. that
the streets so treated are minor streets
and in most instances but a single square
in length.
Accordingly Mr.. Hunt recommends that
the roadway width of both OF these streets
be established at 80 feet and that prompt
action be taken in the matter. as the set
ting of the curb on the north and east
fronts of blocl. II has been ordered under
the assessment system and is asked to