The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-09
AFFAIRS OFl'HE DISTRICT
Application of a Messenger Com
pany to Renew Electric Circuits.
Reasons why the Work Should BE
Dane Under Supervision of Eiec-
tricai Department Dfsmissnis
From the Fire Scrvice-A Report
on Proposals for "A New Worlshouse

The Mutual District Messenger Company
recently filed an application with the
Commissioners for permit to renew their
circuits numbered from S to 10, which be-
gin and end at 1401 f Street northwest.
Charles G. Harris, Inspector of the Elec-
trio Department, in reporting upon the
application said:
Owing to the clandestine manner N
which these circuits were originally con-
structed. and again owing to the ofttime
changes a system of this kind must nee
essarily undergo, the result is most natu-
sraily very complicated and irregular
mass of wire work. wire of the same
circuit will cross and recross the same
street on the same block many times, and
within the same square it will make per
feet network OF wires, many of which can
be removed and the circuit simplifed to
the great advantage of the neighborhood.
The company under consideration have
complied with the order of the Commits
sioners and have furnished this Office with
a plat of their wires, and we ourselves
have obtained with great trouble detail
record of the same,
Il would. therefore respectfully rec
ommend that this company be granted
permit, as requested, with the condition
that the work shall be done under the per-
sonai supervision of an inspector from this
office This latter qualification is neces-
sary otherwise our present records VIII be
worthless, and besides the presence of an
inspector often simplifies matters, not mem
tioning the vast amount of useful inf0rma
thor he can obtain under such c'rcum-
stances
In transmitting the report to the Com
missioners Walter C. Allen, the Electrical
Engineer, recommended that the applica-
tion be granted but that no work be al
lowed to be done under this permit. except
In the presence of an inspector from his
department.
Joseph Paris, Chief Engineer of the
Fire Department. recently sent report
to the Commissioners, by the First As
sist Chief Engineer. on the conduct of
Private T. F. Killigan, of Engine Com
pany No. 6, who was absent FROM duty
without permission from s O'Clock a. m,
September So TO the afternoon of Octo-
Der l. The chief recommended that he
be dismissed from the Departmsn mt, dis
missai to take effect September &c.
Chief Paris also recommended that
A. Nolan, having passed satisfactory
physical examination, be appointed
member of the Fire Department, wee
Killigan. dismissed, the appointment TO
take effect October !, subject to pro-
stationary term of twelve months.
The recommendations of the Chief
Engineer were yesterday approved by the
Commissioners.
". T. Belt, First Assistant Engineer OF
the Fire Department, also reported to
the Commissioners, through the Chief
Engineer, that he found Private W. J.
Dreamer in an intoxicated condition at
No u engine house on September Is.
He also reported that the said Dreamer
was under the influence of liquor to
such an extent that he had TO be shaken
to be aroused.
In transmitting this report to the
Commissioners the Chief Engineer rec
commended that Dreamer be dismissed,
dismissal to take effect September so,
and that B. w. Weaver be appointed,
vice Dreamer dismissed, the appointment
to take effect October 6.
These recommendations were also ap-
proved by the Commissioners yesterday.
Domieo Vito, of 240 First Street north
west, recently wrote to the Commits
sioners, stating that his dogs tag was
stolen from the collar. and that the dog
got out of the house afterward and was
captui ed by the pound authorities. I'm
der these circumstances, therefore, h
requests the release of the dog without
the payment of the pound fee. DR.. Will
liam C. Woodward, the District Health
Officer. reported that to accept this
statement las correct would be, in his
judgment TO establish a precedent which
would open wide the door for evasion of
the law requiring dogs to wear tags
while running at large. l am compelled,
therefore, to recommend that this re-
quest be not complied with
n -
elined TO believe the statement that the
tsg was lost as alleged. and was willing
TO give the owner the benefit OF the doubt
on the subject He. therefore. recon-
mended that the dog be released without
the payment Of the pound fee. Co,.mis-
sioner Beach before passing upon tire case
ordered the application and the several re-
ports thereon to be sent TO the Auditor TO
ascertain whether the money for the license
hal been paid as claimed by the owner.
John B. Brady. the Inspector of Build
ings, has submitted to the Commissioners
a schedule OF proposals for constructing
a new workhouse consisting of an ad-
ministration building and three wings.
With reference TO the matter Mr.. Brady
says: THE appropriation is 100000 and
the amount available for the building is
s96. 5o31l. Inasmueh as the proposals for
erecting each wing containing the cells
exceed the amount of money available,
only that portion designated as the adj
ministration building can be considered.
The lowest bid for this is that OF W. z.
Spier, for ss2.s0e. II this is accepted the
sum of 81, 70311 would remain to meet
incidental expenses that may arise during
the prosecution OF the work. The admin
istration building is suitably arranged for
the temporary detention OF workhouse
prisoners.
The Engineer Commissioner, in con-
sidering the report of the Inspector of
Buildings. has recommended TO his asso-
cia;es that all bids received for the con-
struction Of the workhouse be rejected and
that the work be readvertised.
The Chief Engineer of the Fire Depart
meut has submitted to the Commissioners
his report of the operations of the de-
partment for the month of September.
He says:
There were twenty-three alarms of
ere, a decrease of four as compared with
the previous month. and the same num-
Der as compared with the corresponding
month of TIE preceding year. Four OF
these alarms were false.
"Irregularity OF receiving alarms were
reported on boxes GA, 721, aud S27 There
were also sixteen local or silent alarms
for which the bells were sounded, two
of which we're false
1.-The estimated loss for the month was
1880. covered by an Insurance of 1890.
as against loss OF s., e30 and an instr
ance of 81 .095 for the previous month. and
A Tnpic and