The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-05
AFFAIRS OF The DISTRICT
A Complaint of the Bad Condition
Of Nichols Avenue.
Commissioners Authorize Improve
ment on Asylum Hi1i-BuiIdtnE In
Wanted mt Ninth Street Southwest
bids for Hospital Site Rejected.

William P. Hartly, OF Sixth and ID
Streets northwest, recently wrote to the
Commissioners calling attention to the
condition of Nichols Avenue. near Con-
gress Heights.
LAS resident" he says, "of Nichols
Avenue, near Congress Heights, / beg to
call your attention to the terrible con-
dition of this important thoroughfare. 1t
has never been restored to its original
condition since the construction of the
trolley road, nor has the railroad com
pany ever leveled up the roadbed between
and adjoining the track. This condition
is positive danger to drivers. as they
cannot cross the track in most places un-
less they are in a position to drive
straight across.
Il myself was caught and run into on
one occasion. 1 kept to the right as far
as possible, but could not turn across the
track at this place. AT the present time
the roadway is being patched by dumping
loads of loose gravel in or near some of
the deeper holes. leaving the roadway as
uneven as ever, as an inspection will
show"
Morris Hacker, of the Engineer Depart
ment, reported on the complaint, saying
that he made an examination of Nichols
Avenue from the Stickfoot Branch south.
1T is generally" he says, in very fair
condition, though that portion from base
to summit of Asylum Hill is becoming
rough and should be repaired as soon as
funds are available. This portion of the
road should be spiked with large roller
and resurfaced with gravel and rolled.
[ estimate the cost Of this al $1,000 and
recommend that this street be placed on
the list for repair under appropriation for
repairs to county roads. Such work Will
also remedy the condition complained OF
adjoining the street railroad tracks"
In transmitting the report of Mr.. Hacker
to the Commissioners, Capt. II. c. New
conner recommended an expenditure OF
about 81 100 for the improvement of
Nichols Avenue on Asylum Hill. with the
expectation of doing this work on the
eastern side of the street railway track
and that the street railway company be
required to improve the condition OF the
roadway between the rails and for two
feet exterior thereto.
This recommendation the Commission
ers yesterday approved.
John B. Brady, the Inspector Of Build
ings yesterday submitted 10 the Commits
HOHlHls
his office for September, 1900. Permits Tor
buildings were issued, according to the
various divisions of the District, as fol-
lows: County, cost, S96.395; northeast, $780,
| $50; northwest, $40 100; southeast, &c.,
| 400. Total, s16O, AS.
Permits for repairs. according to the
divisions. follow: County, cost, S7,742;
northeast, s2,922; northwest. s17,5S2;
southeast, 81, 222; southwest. $1,902- Total,
| 1872 1926. Grand total. 1882. 1876.
The permits in detail follow: Dwellings.
| brick. 30; cost, $93. 800 Dwellings, frame,
13: cost. s21.395. Brick repairs, II; cost.
| So. 0ss. Frame repairs,-27; cost, $3.50.
| Store. brick. /; cost S2,l00. Boiler houses.
| 3. cost. s25. 900. Engines and boilers, 4;
cost. $500. Factory. brick, /; cost, $4,000.
Warehouse. brick. /; cost. $1,000. Ware
house. frame. /; cost. 5000 Stables, brick,
| .: cost. $500. Stables. frame. 2; cost, $4,-
$50. Sheds, 65; cost. $3.50. Total number
Of permits. 231: cost. S192.795.
| Frank W. Finley of 1906 D Street north
west, recently wrote to the Commissioners
calling their attention to the fact that
| there is no fire alarm box in the vicinity
of Ninth and Streets southwest, as was
shown when fire broke out there the
| other night, which attained considerable
Roadway before an alarm could be turned
| In at the nearest box at Tenth Street and
| Virginia Avenue. On account Of the danger
| then experienced Mr.. Finley asks that q
| Gre alarm box be placed near the corner
| mentioned.
| Walter c.. Allen, the Electrical Engi-
| neer, In considering the application at the
| request of the Commissioners, recommends
that Mr.. Finley be Informed that there are
| no funds available this fiscal year for the
purchase and erection of any additional fire
| alarm boxes. Such an appropriation. he
says, has been asked for by the Commits
| sioners, but has not yet been made by Con-
| gress. Mr.. Allen further states that as
| soon as provision is made for the pur-
chase of additional boxes this application
can receive consideration.
This recommendation has been approved
by the Commissioners and 1t Is expected