The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-11

curious question has been raised in
the Health Department relative to the
impounding of dogs belonging to the fire
engine houses of the District. The mat
ter came UP by the capture of the dog
belonging TO No. 3 engine house, its re-
lease being referred first to the Health
Officer and then TO the Commissioners for
q decision.
DIR. William C. Woodward, the Health
Oficer. passing upon the question, said
that the pound master could not be ex-
pected TO discriminate between the fire
dogs and those that belong to private in
dividuals, and he recommended that IL
such dogs were to be free from the pay
ment of the license they should be desig
mated in some way so that the pound men
could know that they were not to be cap
tured while on their rounds through the
city.
Commissioner Mcfarland recommended
in the specific case brought before him
that the dog Of Engine House No. 3 be
released without the payment of a pound
fee.
Speaking of the matter in a general
way to a reporter for The Times, Mr..
Mcfarland said the dogs in the fire
houses and in some of the police stations
were at least semi-District property. He
said they performed service in various
ways. as watch dogs, and as carriers in
some cases. He thought that they ought
to be free from the license tax for the
reason mentioned. The dogs, he said, ere
not the property of the men as individuals
and their status is one practically of be-
ing at large unless they are recognized
as District property.
With reference to the manner in which
the dogs referred to should be designated
to the pound men Mr.. Macfarland said
that the matter would have to be given
some thought. but he was convinced that
1t could be accomplished with cut diff
ready with reference to the dogs kept
by the diplomatic officers of foreign Gcv-
ernments resident in Washington.
The Attorney for the District yesterday
submitted to the Comm ssi- ner an
opinion upon the application CT joseph
Salomon, acting for Mrs. Matilda K.tz.
for permission to pay, without penalties,
the overdue taxes on OBS acre of land
on Hamilton Read, assessed in the name
Of Mrs. Kitz.
IL appears Bays thN .hteOAhSsr A'D4''
the report of the Assessor, that Louis
Henson was assessed from 1871 to 1900 for
the one acre of land on the Hamilton
Road, plat &C. county, and that this as
sessment was erroneous in that it SHOULD
have been only for 0.69 of an acre, that he
ing the entire area of the said par ell
Accordingly. the Assessor en- September
20 corrected the ledger to conform with
the true area. 034 of an acre of said tract
being assessed to Elenor Hurton and OBS
of an acre to Matilda KitZ.
The Assessor considers that this cor
rection of the assessment operates as
new assessment and that the oSners
should be allowed to pay taxes in ar
rears without penalty and interest.
"This believe is the proper view CT the
matter. and ] am OF the opinion that an
order should be passed allowing that
taxes TO be paid without penalties and in
terest'
II is understood that the Comm s,ion-
ers will concur in the opinion CT their
Attorney. and will act in accordance VITA
his recommendations in the matter.
Mr.. S. w Woodward. Mr.. John Joy Ed
son. and Prof. George W. Cook. members
Of the Board of Charities, with Mr.. George
s. Wilson. the Secretary of the board, have
made a visit of inspection TO tbs aims
house and workhouse. About two hours
were spent in examining the general plan
of the institution. with a special refer
ence 10 new buildings. The estimates sub
mitted by the intendant in his annual re-
port asked for money for the erection of
three new buildings on the grounds. These
are in addition to the new workhouse and
tho isolating building for the hospital, al
ready appropriated for. The Board of
Charities will study carefully the present
needs and future plans of the institution
before making final recommendations for
appropriations.
In order 10 complete the schedule of es-
Inmates for the Department of Charities
within the allotted time, the board find it
necessary TO hold very frequent meetings
during the next two weeks, and IL is pro-
posed TO hold the meetings next week in
the evenings. so that the board members
will be able to give time for longer ses-
sions without serious interference with
their private business interests. The next
board meeting will probably be held on
Tuesday of next week.
Or. William Tindall. Secretary TO the
Board of Commissioners. has received let
tiers from Rev Henry y. Couden. Mrs. NJ
ID. Russell Young. Mrs. a. G. Bracket
and Mrs. T. z. Gilbert, stating that they
will accept positions on the committee to
expend the appropriation for the instruc
tion and employment of the blind, as re-
ques.cd by the District Commissioners.
The appropriation referred to was con-
tanned in the last District appropriation
law approved June 6. 1900. and provided
FOR the instruction of the blind who are
actually residents of the District of Co
lumbia. and for the purchase and repair
Of machinery sad tools which may be
needed TO equip a workshop for the blind
of the District. 5000 TO be expended
under the direction of the Commissioners
of the District of Columbia"
s. s. Daish G. Son. of POS Florida Avenue
have written to the Commissioners COM
mendins the action Of the foreman of
chemical engine Company No. 2. who ad-
Ginisiered treatment TO one of the fire
horses which was overcofte with the heat.
The relief was immediate and the writers
state that the animal afterward seemed TO
suffer no Inconvenience from the attack.
Messrs Daish e. Son congratulate the
Commissioners upon having in the Fire
Department man of sufficient knowledge
and presence OF mind to act thus in al
emergency which threatens one OF the
horses upon his engine
The name OF the foreman is John Sher-
man.
Walter C. Allen. the Electrical Engineer.
yesterday recommended to the Commits
sioners that Henry NJ. Madert, assistant
telephone operator at s1.25 per diem, be
appointed telephone operator at $500 per
annnm. vice S. w. Maddux. resigned Mr..
Alien also recommended that e. b. Smith
be appointed assistant telephone operator
at SLIPS a day. vice Madert. promoted.
Both apD0intmcnfS are IN take effect as
coon as approved by the Commissioners.
NGnH urananlleh