The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-08-10
AFFAIRS OFT'HE DISTRICT
Attorney Brandenburg's Opinion
on Stringing Wires.
The Permit to the Electrical Conn
pany "a Matter of Policy Rather
Than Law Policeman KIopfer
Asks Renewal of COMMUNICATIVE
ter wasted in the Public Schools

The Potomac Electric Power Company
recently asked permission to string a
three wire overhead service from their pcie
on Seventh Street to the old Postoffice /
building. The application and an adverse
report on the same by Walter C. Allen, the
Electrical Engineer, was recently published
in The Times.
To-day Clarence A. Brandenburg, Assist
ant Attorney for the District, handed an
opinion TO the Commissioners. in viii lie
takes issue with the Electrical Engineer,
and advises them that II is his belief that
the application may be legally granted He
says that under a clause in the Sundry
Civil appropriation bill for the year ending
June So 1898 the Commissioners are
clothed with authority TO grant the COM
pany's request.
Mr.. Brandenhng adds tkat the question
involved is one of policy rather than law.
The application of Ben Klcpfer, for
renewal OF his commission as as additional
private On the Metropolitan Police Force.
for period of three years, has been en-
dorsed by Major Sylvester and opposed by
Commissioner Ross. Klopfer has beea an
additional private on the force for many
years He IS one OF the best known of Jne
additional privates. He covers the terri
tory included between Eleventh. Fifteenth,
B. and D Streets northwest
Ben" as he is known 10 everybody
IL that section, has in the past fifteen
years made quite i number OF important
arrests and on many occasions has rem
dered valuable service to the police in the
First precinct.
Thomas Murphy, an Inspector Of the
Police Department. in communication TO
the Engineer COmmiSs I0aer, reports that
there seems to be great waste Of water
IN some OF the public schools His report
shows the following facts:
Force School Massachusetts, Avenue, be
tween Seventeenth and Eighteenth Streets.
from June 90 TO August 2 $4,000 gallons;
Franklin School, Thirteenth and K Streets.
1881 gallons: Potomac School, Twelfth,
Maryland Avenue and E Street southwest
4IJ25 gallons, and Tyler School, on Eiev-
enth Street near C Street southeast. 22.-
$50 gallons. The report of Inspector Muir
pay mas been referred by the Commission
6Ts 10 The school authorities fer investiga-
ticn and report
l. E Bend, Superintendent Of Repairs.
in letter TO the Engineer Commissioner,
writes that the triangular parking north
CT the sidewalk fronting the Jefferson
School. corner Sixth and D Streets south
west. is in Il very neglected condition, and
requires attention.
The Commissioners have approved thu
findings in tie case CT Private J. F Ryd +
OF No ! Fire Engine Company, charged
with violating article J., s2et;on p o e
rules and regulations, and the order To- his
dismissal 10 take effect in the 18th instsnt
hrs been issued. Ryder was charged ly
Foreman Harper, % No. Egine Comp any.
with having criticised that company CT the
night Of July u. ard with calling INN
tSarperj z liar. Ryder was tried bsfo. E
Trial OfhceF Fugh on the 1st in tsut AID
found guilty.
John Wheeler and John Bell. both col
ored- no. Il s. alleged. u June q serious
" stabbed Thomas Wells during an alter
eaten IL South Washington. ana who were
captured about one month ago at Airing
ton junction by Detectives Muller and
Baur were TODAY arraigned before Judge
Taylor charged With assault with intent TO
kill. The defendants entered pleas Of not
guilty and were held in 500 bond each for
the action of the grand jury. Wells was
present in court. He is said to have en-
tirely recovered.
Herbert L Davis recently sent c9mmu-
aication 10 the District Commission rs.
and with it a metal hook found in piece
OF meat He requested the Commissioners
10 ADOPT some means 10 prohibit the Use o.
metal staples Of the size of the specimen
submitted The Commiss. oners referred
he matter 10 Clarence A B -adenburg tn
Assistant Attorney. with request that he
give them his opinion as 10 the aut1or.tF
OF the Commissioners 10 make regulat ems
concerning the use of metal staples By
butchers,
The Assistant Attorney IN his letter to
the Commissioners. states that metal a
pies suC1 Is the one transmitted BY M
Davis are now in extensive use in this citv
The one under consideration is NEST
hook composed of a single piece CT s #
steel wire. sharDened at 10th ends and bent
10 staple shape with its legs co1vsrgfng
slightly toward their free ends and D O.
FIded near each eXtr,A-ity with a sharp
aued barb
The presence of such stables in meat IS
Il ceFGss to the consumer is. the Assistant
AttoI Hey says. in the opinion Of the Health
Officer, unqaesuonab3y dangerous. and the
only protection which the consumer has
is in the care exercised by the retail butch
CT. As shown in the case OF Mr. Davis
says the Assistant Attorney. this safe
guard is not always sufficient.
The Assistant Attorney says there is
ample authority for the Commissioners to
make regulations On the subject and sub
mits the following for their approval:
1T shah bs unlawful for any person to
tag or mark meat, intended for sale, by
metal staples or other similar devices in
serted therein, less than two inches in
length OF breadth; or to sell, Or offer for
sale, any meat so tagged.
Any person who shall violate any of
the provisions of this regulation shall,
upon conviction thereof in the Police
Court, be punished by a fine of not less
than So nor more than $50.