The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-14

ing certain information regarding the
law passed by Congress in 1897 relative
to fee for transcripts of births. mar
riages, and deaths by the Health Depart
ment.
"As a member Of the legislative COM
mittee appointed by Post No. !, G. A. H..
address you in reference to an act ap-
proved March 3, 1897. This act author
ICES the Commissioners to charge fee
of so cents for certificates of deaths,
births, and marriages issued by the
Health Officer. 1t exempts from paying
said fee certificates issued to any de-
partment of the Government. l desire
to ask you to rule If certificates issued
for the purpose of fling with the United
States Pension Office come under the lat
ter head. Should you rule otherwise
! great hardship would be inflicted on
the poor widows and orphans of our COM
rades. A case in point was that of Mi
Ram Fugitt. where 81 was required to
pay for the certificates needed in her
case"
In advising the Commissioners of his
views regarding the matter DR.. William
C. Woodward, the Health Officer, said:
THE question involved in this case is
essentially one involving the collection
of certain prescribed fees by the Col!ec-
tor OF Taxes, and should it is believed,
be determined by the Auditor for the
District or by the proper officials of the
Treasury Department"
A few days ago Andrew b. Duvall, the
Attorney for the District. submitted an
| opinion to the Commissioners concerning
the application from C. T. Bride for the
refund of amount of Cancelled assessment
agains; part Of lot l, square west of square
IA, and for a deed based in the general tax
es from which the property was sold. Mr..
Duvall after consideration of the ques-
ton states that in his opinion the appii-
cation should be granted.
The opinion was approved by Cornmis-
sioners Macfarland and Loss. but in pass
ing upon it Captain Beach. the Engineer
Commissioner, yesterday had the follow
( ing to say:
This opinion seems to be based upon
| the assumption that an error was made
in including the special assessment in the
amount for which the lot was advertised
| and sold. The papers In the case do not
| bear out that assumption. and II the spe-
ciai assessment was not Cancelled until
after the sale it is believed that the sale
was valid and that no part of the money
! paid for the certificate should be refund
| ed.
II would recommend that the Attorney
be requested to give further information
on this point"
The matter was again referred to the
Attorney.
| The Commissioners yesterday, at the sug-
gestion Of Mr.. Ross, issued to the commits
sion appointed to consider the offers OF
sites for the proposei municipal hospital
| general instructions relative to their
| duties. The instructions are:
1.-The committee has been selected fol
the purpose OF aiding the Commissioners
/ in reaching determination as to the most
| eligible site for the municipal hospital
! leaving the final determination and per-
| sonal examination, if they consider ii nee
| essary, to the Commissioners.
las most of the sites which were offered
| to the Commissioners in response to the
advertisement for proposals. have, since
the rejection of all bids, again been of
fered either verbally or in writing, ii is
believed that the committee should con-
| slider all offers received in answer to adj
| vertisement for proposals.
1.-The committee will report to the Com
| missioners the sites which they consider
most eligible for the purpose of arranging
them in the order of desirablity. Sites
which they do not consider eligible or de-
sirable need not be reported.
1.-The committee Will adopt such means
of arriving at a decision as they may de-
termine. If they desire to visit any of the
sites, transportation will be provided upon
application to the Engineer Commission
er."