The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-13
AFFAIRS OF THE DISTRICT
Suggestions to the Commissioners
Concerning Automobiles.
A Recommendation That the Police
Regulations he Changed So as to
Specifically Fix Rates of Hire
Building Operations in August
The weekly Mortality Report.

The Weekly Mortality Report.
A. Leftwich Sinclair acting prosecuting
! attorney, has addressed d communication
to the Commissioners advocating
| change in the police regulations govern
ing the charges fer the use of public We
hicles in the city. to include automobiles
under the terms of the law. His letter
| is as follows:
"on the 10th instant my attention was
called to a fragrant case of overcharging
upon the part of5the operator of an au-
I tomobile, vehicle engaged in the trans
| portation OF passengers FOR public hire
on the streets of the city. A warrant for
the man was applied for, but ! declined
to issue one for1he reason that, in my
judgment. case of this character can
not be successfully prosecuted while the
schedule of hack rates to be found among
the police regulations remains in its pres
ent shape. This schedule specifically
prescribes rates for ne-horse and two
horse vehicles, and clearly could not be
held 10 apply to automobiles or to other
horseless vehicles.
'You were advised on May I. 1890, by
Mr.. Clarence a. Brandenburg, assistant
attorney, District of Columbia. that au-
tomobiles and other horseless vehicles,
operated for the conveyance OF passen-
gers fol- hire in the District OF Column
bia, are subject to the provisions of the
existing license law, and that you are
clothed with sufficient power and author
ity to regulate the charges made by own
,Nfu
The premises considered / have the
honor to recommend that the present
schedule of rates be amended so as to
include. In express terms, automobiles
and other horseleSs carriages, which are
being operated so extensively for the
transportation of passengers upon the
streets of the city. | respectfully suggest
that the desired object can be accom-
plished by the PRONUNCIATION of an order
to the effect that hereafter automobiles
and other horseless vehicles shall be con-
sidered two-horse vehicles within the
meaning of this schedule"
The monthly report for August OF the
building operations in the District OF CO.
lumbia was submitted to Captain Beach
yesterday by the Inspector of Buildings,
and is as follows:
Permits were issued for the number and
character of buildings as follows: Thirty
six brick dwellings, s196, 1851; sixteen frame
dwellings. s47,S75; eighty-one brick repairs,
S46,561: forty-one frame repairs. s., $780,
two apartment houses s35 $50; four stores
and dwellings, ,165; three engine and
boiler, 81. f00; one brick factory, 100000;
one frame factory, $500; one brick work.
shop, $500; two brick sheds, $500; forty-six
frame sheds, 81 ,249; making total of 236
permits ct cost OF 1899, 02l.
The following summary Shnu-G he sdiSun-
sition of improvements in the different sec
tions of the District and the value of the
same: Buildings-County 1926 2S5: North
west, $4,000; Southeast, $1f-6e0; North
east, $4,000; Southwest. 1926; total s341,-
SOL RepaiTs-Northwest S3l. 1858; North
east, 1892; Southeast, 81 1888; County, |
$3262; Southwest, $500; total, S51170.
The mortality of the District during the !
past week was 102. In regard TO race, 80
were whites and AZ colored.s The annual |
death rate was 1904 for eschathousand of I
the whole population Compared with the I
preceding week there was an increase in
he number OF deaths from diseases OF the I
brain and nervousssystem from to g. and /
a decrease in those from consumption |
from II to IA. OF the infectious class I
there We're fatal cases of whooping !
cough. IL of typhoid fever and l each
deaths from violence from fall down |
an elevator shaft, ! from fall from |
street car. and suicides, from |
drowning. 1 from hanging, and 1 from |
poisoning.
At the close of the last report there |
were Is cases of diphtheria in quarantine /
During the week 9 new cases occurred and I
. were discharged, leaving still 2s cases /
in isolation, in II premises.
OF scarlet fever there were "a cases in I
quarantine at the close of last report.
During the week 3 cases were reported and |
10 discharged. leaving q cases with warn
ing cards in % premises.
The mean weather conditions prevalent |
during the week WIRE: Temperature OF
the atmosphere, 81 degrees: relative hu-
nudity, 90 degrees, and barometer. 1902.
There was but trace of rain with south
sriy wind averaging five miles per hour
The highest temperature was 80 degrees
On the 9Th instant and lowest. 81 degrees
on the 9TH instant.
The very dusty condition of South Capt.
Lol Street and Delaware Avenue south
has been the subject Of several communi-
,ations from Elliott Woods. Acting Archl-
-ect Of the Capitofs to the Commissioners
The principal cause for the complaint
IS the dust from the grayeled surfaces OF
he roadwsys OF South Capitol Street and
Delaware Avenue. between b and
Streets, south of the Capitol grounds.
which is blown into the grounds of the
Capitol by the south winds. covering the
and lawns and permeatlng the
and, as Mr.. Woods says. is
source of considerable annoyance
Mr. Woods suggests that the streets be
paved but such action is impracticabIe
At this time owing to lack OF funds. The
cost of pavement with asphalt
is as follows: South Capitol. b TO
Streets, $4,000; Delaware Avenue, to C
Streets, Sc 200.
Reply has been sent to the Acting Ar
Infect of the Capitol that on account OF
ack of funds the Street Cleaning Depart
nent could not undertake 10 sprinkle the
streets daily as suggested, but that an at
empt will be made by the Street Cleaning
Department to remedy the conditions
of by occasionally sprinkling
he roadway.
rUE REST REMEDY FOR DIAR-