The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-18

been approved by commissioner Macfarland,
and it is understood that his associates
will concur in the decision.
The Electrical Engineer has recon-
mcnded. and Commissioner Mcfarland,
VINO has immediate charge of that de-
partment, has approved, the addition of
five trunk lines connecting the District
switchboard with the telephone COM
pany's exchange.
In his letter to the Commissioners Mr..
Allen states that the exchange telephone
business transacted through the switch
board at fire alarm headquarters has be-
come so great as to overtax the capacity
of the five trunk lines now connecting
that board with the telephone cOaipany's
exchange. He further states that in or
der to provide the necessary service for
the telephones in the District Building
and other District Offices it is absolutely
essential that the additional trunk lines
should be provided for. He also states
that the cost of the five lines recon-
mcnded will be about 81 eco. and should
be charged TO the appropriation for gen.
eral expenses, telegraph, and telephone
service, 1901.
Commissioner Mcfarland yesterday. in
speaking about the next steps to be taken
in connection with the proposed municipal
hospital, said that IL was the intention of
the Commissioners to ask Congress to
add to the balance of the appropriation
left from the 500, 900 a. sufficient amount
to enable them to secure plans for the
building or buildings to be erected. In SO
large an institution as the municipal hos
ptal will undoubtedly be Mr.. Macfar-
land thought that wisdom would dictate
a policy of moving slowly in the prelimi-
nary work.
The Commissioner suggested that Con-
gress might authorize the Board to secure
the services of a commission of archi-
tects and hospital experts to serve the
district in determining upon plans for
buildings and the general arrangement of
the various structures and the grounds
so as to make the Institution both useful
and beautiful. MIR. Macfar!and said that
troublesome problem would stare such
a commission in the face at the beginning
of It's labors. Some claim, lie said, that the
hospital should be one large building
practically under one roof, while others
insist that the institution should be COM
posed of several smaller buildings, with
a view of separating wards from one an
other and of applying the cottage idea to
hospital arrangement. Mr. Mcfarland is
of the opinion that a years time is not
too much to settle this and numerous 9TH
er questions that will arise through a spe
cial commission. before sod is turned
upon the newly purchased tract of land.
Andrew b. Duvall, the Attorney Tor the
District. yesterday forwarded copy OF
the judgment against the District OF Co
lumbia by the Supreme Court, in favor of
Henry c. Lamkin. The Attorney states
that the suit was filed January 9, 1893. and
that the plaintiff sought to recover $4,000
damages for an alleged injury sustained by
him on the evening of January q, 1884.
Mr.. Duvall informs the Commissioners that
the injury is alleged TO have been sustained
by falling into certain excavation. ditch,
or trench on Street southeast, between
Sixth and Seventh Streets, alleged to have