The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-03
AFFAIRS OF THE DISTRICT
The Formal Promotion of Fireman
Frank j. Wagner.

A Motion by Commissioner Macfnr-
land to Make Him Acting Third
Assistant Chief Engineer y No
Money Available for Patrol Boxes.
Commissioner Macfarland, who has SUI
pervision over the Fire Department,
yesterday sent the following motion to
his associates on the board: Il move
that Frank J. Wagner, foreman or
Engine Company No. Z, District IF Co
lumbia Fire Department. be appointed
Third Assistant Chief Engineer. under
the act of Congress approved March
l, 1901 making appropriations to pro-
vide for the expenses of the govern
ment of the District of Columbia for the
fiscal year ending June 80, 1902 to take
effect July l, 1901.
Also that in the mean time he be des-
ignated to act as Third Assistant Chief
Engineer.
Also that the assistant foreman of En-
CINE Company No Z, w. 3. Linkins, act
as foreman of tie company until further
orders
Before making these motions the Com
missioner had conference with Chief
| Engineer Paris, who recommended the
| appointment of Mr.. Wagner, and also
suggested that the fire district be divid-
ed into three sub-districts, one to be in
| charge of each of the assistant chiefs
| The Central district will extend from X
Street north to tie river front, and from
Seventh Street west to Fifteenth Street
| west This station will be in charge of
the newly appointed Third Assistant. He
| will be stationed at Chemical Engine
House No. l, on d Street near Twelfth.
connection trrfth ha rArfipt int1 f,f
Foreman f. ]. Wagner to Acting Third
Assistant Chief Engineer of the Fire De-
| partment Commissioner mcfarland re-
ceived yesterday a complimentary letter
from Allison Nailor who expressed his
appreciation Of the appointment and con-
/ graduated the Commissioners upoa their
action. Mr. Major informed the Com
missioner that Wagner had at one
time been an employe of his and that
/ he found him always faithful and pro-
gressive in his business. He stated
] that he had watched the career of the
! fireman since he Joined the department
and that he had noted with pride his sue
cess there Mr.. Nailor stated that he was
/ glad to hear now of Wagners promotion
! because he was sure from what he knew
! OF the man that it was in the nature of
! a reward of the meritorious performance
/ of duty.
| -hF. Major aQOS at the close or mis- letter
| that IN writing he is actuated by the duty
| which rests upon every man to endorse
the good acts of the Commissioners.
| The East Washington Heights Citizens
Association recently renewed their re-
quest for patrol boxes on the Hamilton
I Read at the junction of the Bowen and
Sr!tland roads and at the junction of the
Bowen and Ridgewood roads
In reporting IIpon the annIicotion tho
Electrical Engineer has informed the
Commissioners that it is not possible to
erect any of the patrol boxes requested
as the extensions to the patrol system
for the present fiscal year have been COM
pleted and there Is no balance available
for additional boxes. The Enginee- states
further that his department is governed
In the location of patrol boxes by the de-
sires of the Police Department, and If
these locations are approved by that de-
partment they will receive consideration
the next fiscal year.
Commissioner Ross who has Immediate
supervision over the Police Department,
has received several letters recently from
parties interested in the case of Harry L.
Ashton, private of the Metropolitan po-
lice. Some of these letters demand the dis
missal of Ashton from the force and 9TH
ers are from his friends asking that full
justice be done him by the Commission
ers.
The facts in the case. as presented to |
the Commissioners, are that Ashton was |
appointed upon the force apparently with |
clear record. After serving some time |
1t was brought to the attention of the |
Commissioners that Ashton before his |
appontment had been placed under ar
rest at the instance of certain Young |
women of the city, and that he had for
feited his collateral, instead of annearing |
for trial. The Commissioners thought |
TINS TINS an oHence of sufficient gravity to |
call FOR action on their part ami his |
resignation was called for The noIica !
man having shown faithfuIness in duty |
was told that his reinstatement woul1 he |
considered If he submitted to trial on the |
charge preferred against him and should |
be acquitted. Ashton was then tried he |
fore Judge kimball and jury At the |
first trial the jury disagreed, and upon |
the second trial he was acquitted Then |
his record being clear. he was reinstatei |
upon the force by the Commiss .oners
Since then letters have been sent to
Commits sioner Ross by several members
of Congress demanding Ashton's dismis-
sal from the force. On the other hand
several letters have been written also
from members of Congress asking that he
be fairly dealt with and retained Com
missioner Ross and the Board have the |
matter under consideration, and they are
seeking TO ascertain all the facts in the
matter, without disparagement to the
officer or those who accuse him.
ne COMMISSIONERS yesterday transmit
ted to both houses of Congress the report
of the Excise Board of the District of Co.
lumbia for the license year ended October
81. 1890. The Commissioners state that their
action is pursuant to the requirements Of !
section of the act of Congress, approved
March 3. 1893, entitled an Act regulating
the sale of intoxicating liquors in the
District of Columbia"
The report states that from November
l, 1893, to October 81, 1900, the E, else
Board granted 515 barroom licenses, COM
prising clubs. hotels, and saloons, and 1a5
wholesale licenses, including grocers bot
tiers and strictly wholesale places. The
report further states that the number of
barroom applications rejected during said
period was Is. and the number of whole
sale liquor applications unfavorably acted
upon was 10.
1t appears from the report that there
have been 5l9 applications for barroom
licenses filed since October / last of
which number 1855 have been allowed. .
rejected, and the others still pending II is
also shown that there were l2l anplica-
lions for wholesale licenses filed. of which
40 have been granted and / is pending
From March 4, 1900. to March . 1901 the !
report states that 50 persons were con-
victed of violating the excise law. The
amount of fines imposed by the Police
Court during said period was $3.50 of
which amount, 1t is stated, $3.50 was paid
leaving 5000 Of said amount uncoIlecte:i
This is accOunte ed for in the rpnnrt ~, |