The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-23

sit exposed in a blazing pink shirt at his
desk when the mercury was aspiring to the
century mark. Clerks in the office, also
coatless, have hidden themselves behind
porderous ledgers in the wake OF an cleo
tric fan, while transferring names to the
cards which are to form the new system OF
reference to tax accounts.
In q sky parlor on the west side OF the
building the Electrical Engineer has been
very busy with His wires and currents in
various parts of the District. He has had
more than the usual number of requests ior
permits to string overhead wires to report
upon. and in doing so has been obliged TO
steer very carefully between his own views
of the law and that of the Attorney for the
District. But amid his labors he has tenn
pered the heat with electric power, and has
sat serene, with his coat on, in an Office
adorned with the latest devices in breeze
producing machinery.
In the Sccretary's Office.
In the office of the Secretary to the
Board of Commissioners, the work has in
creased steadily for several months, and
two new clerks were recently ms. allied. As
the work of the departments grows that of
the secretary's Office is necessarily en-
larged. The burden OF correspondence has
been heavier this month than during any
previous July, and the secretary declares
that it has grown Troportionateiy with the
intensity OF the heat.
The Commissioners have recently had
added 10 routine work the consideration
of one or two questions Of Importance.
Just now they are engrossod with plans
for the management of street cars so as
to avoid collisions between them and the
apparatus of the Fire Department. This
has fallen chiefly upon Commissioner
Mcfarland and Captain Gailiard. Acting
Engineer Commissioner. 1t will not be
decided until the return of Mr.. Ross and
Captain Beach the last Of the present
week But there have been hearings, cor
respondence, and the expression Of op!n-
ion upon botl sides Of the question of
stopping the cars on the near or the far
side of the street crossings-a question
which one Of the railroad officials re-
marked the other day could not be settled
by popular vote, because the city is just
evenly divided upon il.
Another matter which has been occupy
ing the attention Of Commissioner Mae
farland is the appointment Of coroner.
There are numerous candidates for the
position and the competition between
them has been vigorous. This question
also VIII be settled upon the return Of the
absent Commissioners.
The Com tsSiGuerE' callers.
The number of visitors TO the District
building may have fallen off somewhat
since the hot weather began. but still they
are numerous Mr. Mcfarland finds a
room full awaiting him each day Upon
his arrival at his desk. The officeseeker
is among them. and he talks long and
earnestly with the Commissioner. to be
told at last that there is nothing for him
and small chance Of it in the immediate
future. Then there is the woman in
faded frock and old-tashioned headgear. in
distress and want. TO tell her tale OF woe.
A prosperous, sleek man drops in and
whispers Z few words In the Commission
er's ear, which ELECTS a quick reply. The
two men smile, and the one goes away
with A perfect understanding about some
thing or other. An old man with a com
nIaiut follows. which IL takes him q lCng
time 10 tell. ard when the story has been
natiently heard he is told to place il in
writing and mail it to the Commissioners
10 take the regular course OF investigation.
report. and final decision.
a seedy man is next to be heard There
is a nervous twitch in his fingers and
wandering Of the eyes as h" faces the Com
missioner. He begins to tell him of new
invention. 1t is a skillfulIy devised cham
Der to hold compressed gases which viii
support weight in the air and cause an
aerial ship to rise By means Of the same
device, by relieving pressure in some mys-
terious manner. the air ship viii move at
the will of the operator The inventor Of
fers to produce a demonstration to satisfy
any rational mind and ends by saying that
he wants money to perfect his invention.
He is gotten rid of as quickly as possible,
while a long-fOrgotten lesson in physics
ha md
that gases confined exert an equal pressure
in all directions.
And so the stream of humanity, with its
wants and complaints its schemes and
ambitions. comes and goes in dog days at
the District Building.