Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-01

STHuUHT, o
It possible to note a decided Improvement
In this respect and at the same tine
notable advance in the material develop
ment of the District.
Public Library.
Progress was made during the year in
the building of the structure for the new
public library on Mt. Vernon Square. The
foundations were laid under a separate
contract, while the details of the building
were given renewed study for the purpose
Of bringing the cost of construction within
the amount donated by Mr.. Andrew Car
negie for the erection of the building. This
was finally accomplished and the building
committee We're enabled to make con-
tract. At the end of the year the founda-
ton walls and the basement story to the
height of the first floor joists had been
laid.
Centennial Anniversary.
The celebration of the centennial ami
versary of the removal of the seat of
government to this District was celebrated
the 18th of December IL. a fitting and
appropriate manner. In accordance with
the provisions of a law of Congress the
arrangements for the proper observance
of the event were intrusted u II committee
composed of members of the Senate and
House, the governors of the states and
territories and citizens of the District. "'he
entire management of the affair hand
ed over to the citizen members Of The COM
was carried out with much success. A
meeting was held at the White House and
then there was a military, naval and civic
procession to the Capitol. where exercises
were held in the hall of the House Of Rep
resentatives. In the evening reception
was given In the CorCoran Gallery of Art.
The agitation in favor of the erection of
memorial bridge over the Potomac to
Arlington, which was sustained by the
board of trade and the citizens generalv
resulted in no definite action at he last
session of Congress, although the recon-
mendations of the board selected to pass
upon the competitive designs for he pro-
posed structure was reported and the de-
sign chosen laid before that body. The sub
1ect was renewed again last fall. and early
action by Congress is hoped for
Board of Trade.
The past year has been one of activity
on the part of the board of trade. The two
bills providing for the doing away with
grade crossings of the steam railroads en-
tering this city were considered carefully
and recommendations made to Congress.
The code of laws was adopted and the
subjects of auction saes and District tax
alton laws were considered Several other
topics of District interest We're made the
subjects Of reports from the committees
of the board and considered by that body.
The banquet in honor of the center NAL
committee was an affair of great brliancy
and the annual shad bake down the river
was, as is always the case, an occasion of
much social enjoyment.
Fire Insurance.
disagreement in regard to rates for
writing insurance risks on buildings and
contents and other regulations of the AS
sociation of Fire Underwriters of the Dis
trict led to the suspension of some of the
companies. and finally the withdrawal of
most of the local companies and the for
nation by the latter of new board. How
ever, the companies finally renewed their
membership in the board and a new COM
pact is being offered to the various COM
paneS in this District for approval 1t is
not known what will be the outcome.
The Departments.
Attacks on the commissioner of pensions,
instigated mainly by disappointed pension
attorneys, occupied the attention of the
country for a good part of the year. Conn
missioner Evans enforced the law and did
much TO reduce the great increase OF
claims. Charges were filed with the Presi-
dent, and later the case was taken before
the annual encampment of the G. A. r. al
Philadelphia. No action was, however,
taken.
| An effort was made during the year to
have pension order 1874 renewed. 1t was
under this order that the pension roll suf
fered its largest increase. The order. how
ever, was not renewed Many convictions
were made during the year through the
watchfulness of the commissioner of pen
sicns of persons who were drawing pen
eiors Illegally. During the advent of Sec
rotary Bliss and Assistant Secretary Web
ster Davis there considerable friction
between the Interior Department and the
pension office. During the year there was
q new set of rules and regulations prepared
by direction of the commissioner tending TO
remove doubt in complicated questions
just prior to the presidential election the
enemies of Commissioner Evans made an
other attempt to have the President re-
| 10
as to threaten the withdrawal of the SOL
der vote unless this was done. The Pres
| tdent, however, was entirely satisfied with
| Commissioner Evans administration and
| refused to Al terfere with him.
Early in the year many faults of con-
| etruction Were discovered III the new post
office building. 1t became necessary to
| appoint a commission to examine the de-
fects and formulate plan for their
rection. This was done and the necessary
Improvement made at considerable expense.
During the early part of March the ques-
tion of purchasing the property the
south side Of Pennsylvania avenue aGi-
tatcd and the District Commissioners made
report to Congress giving the total
sessed value of the land and Improvements.
Along about the middle OF April bill was
Introduced In Congress to buy the square
bounded by Ohio avenue. 18th. 18th and
etreets for hall OF records. The same
day bill passed the Scnatt authorizing the
purchase OF the old Corcoran art building,
Il failed, however. to pass the House OF
this time for the rev Department OF Jus
tice building, the Old structure having been
condemned and RACED. 1t found that
the appropriation was Inadequate and the
Attorney General asked for 50 900 addi-
tional 1t was refused, and the Attorney
General hesitated about commencing the
building on the ground that 1t would be
cheap and a dscredit to the city
During the last few days of June COM
plete plans for the White House wers
submitted. which was followed on Deem
Der 3 with the detailed plans for the en-
lsrgement of the Executive Mansion.
model of the proposed structure was put
on exhibition.
The manifest need of municipal build
ing for the city was agitated many times
during the year. Early in January the
senate committee the District of Column
bia favorably considered the proposition
which had been approved by the several
citizens associations of the city. but the
year closes without any definite idea when
the city will nave home of Its own. Early
in the year the Daughters Of the American
Revolution had a bill introduced IN Con-
greSs setting aside Rawlings square as a
site for their building. During the first
week of the year bill introduced in
the House of Representatives which had
for it's object a plan to make government