The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-01
AFFAIRS OF THE DISTRICT
A Suggestion Relative to the Dark
ness in Power House Square.

An Anonymous Writer Points Out
the Danger of Having the Light
shut OF by Reviewing stands
Theatres to De Open Sunday Night.
An anonymous writer signing himself
"A Citizen" has written to Richard Syl-
vester Major and Superintendent of
Police, calling attention to the darkeninE
of Power mouse Square" by the erection
of reviewing stands between Thirteen
nnd-a-haIf and Fourteenth Streets north
west The writer also suggests that some
extra arc lights be put up behind the
stands TO afford better protection to those
who may have to go along the streets
named to and from the Monument lot on
the night of the fireworks
The writer thinks the square named, in
its present darkness. is dangerous. and
he tells the Major that it is the duty of
the authorities to place more lights
there. He says that aside from the
moral effect OF such a dark place near
the centre of the city the conditions there
existing will have a bad effect upon the
thousands of visitors who come to Wash
ington at that time to see such a place
within tow squares of the White House.
In transmitting the letter to the Com
sideration, Major Sylvester stated that
he thought the suggestion good one,
and he recommended that If it could be
done the placing of lights in said square.
to serve a temporary purpose during the
inaugural ceremonies, would be advisable.
The matter is now IN the han In o.
Commissioner mcfarland, who VIII con,
slider the matter with the Electrical
Engineer to see what can be done under
the circumstances.
The Commissioners yesterday received
assurances from Manager Chase, of the
New Grand Theatre. that the perfor-
nance which he proposed to give next
Sunday night would be a concert with
out acting. special scenery, or costumes
The Commissioners were informed that
the programme would be rendered by the
various singers in street costume.
il is assumed by the Commissioners
that the other theatrical managers Will
produce similar concerts, and they de-
termined yesterday that they would do
nothing further in the matter. Ihey feel
that under the present law they nave
done all in their power to Keep the play
houses closed on Sunday night, ana that
If the managers choose to go on with
the shows. or concerts. as they will now
be called. it will be against the expressed
wish of the authorities. and as they be-
iieye, against public opinion.
The Commissioners yesterday approved
and returned to the President for his con-
sideration joint resolution 1t9. extend
ing the time in which the Washington and
Gettysburg Railway Company and the
Columbia Railway may construct pro-
posed lines.
They also returned to the President
after approval House resolution 3lSl to
permit certain burials of the dead in the
lands OF the Protestant Episcopal Cath
edral Foundation.
nd Narfq rlanl |
spent some time at the Capitol yesterday |
looking after various District matters. |
One of them was the amendment offered |
IN the Senate to appropriate sloO,VDo Tor |
the Memorial Bridge. The Commission |
ers are all much interested in that pro
1ect, and they think that the approprla- |
ton of the amount named to start the |
enterprise would be wise on the part of |
Congress
The Commissioners decided today to ask |
for proposals to build an eight room |
schoolhouse on the east side of Half |
Street between n and o Streets south |
west. The proposals are to close al noon !
March %.
The members of the Committee on Pub |
lie Order, upon the recommendation of the |
Major and Superintendent of Police, yes
terday commissioned additional prlvates
of police. for duty in connection with the
til March Z, inclusive
II. Boswell & Co., in consideration of
the test in Baltimore of a boiler con-
structed for the Washington Harbor boat
in which the boiler was ruined, have ask
ed for an extension of the time of the
contract and the Commissioners grant
ed them 100 days
A subcommittee of the Inaugural
Committee on Public Comfort recently
applied to the Commissioners for per-
mission to expend 500. or as much OF that
sum as may he needed, 10 establish pub
lie comfort stations on Pennsylvania
Avenue for the use of women on the day
Of the inaugural parade. 1t is proposed
To establish five such stations along Penn
sylvania Avenue, and the committee asks
that the work be done under the direc-
tion of an employee of the District Gov
eminent 1t is also proposed that the
sum needed for the work be taken from
the emergency fund.
Upon the recommendation of the Major !
and Superintendent of Police. and at the
instance of r. Rathburn, Assistant Sec
rotary of the United States National Mu-
scum. the Commissioners have appointed
!. Elfriih Watkins. John +. Dolan. John
W. Hall William II. Goldsmith, r. Am |
brose Green. Walter Humphrey, Thomas
s. Reese, Harry g. Lugenbeil. Fred a
Rabbit as additional priYates, for duty
In the Museum.
1. c. Rines has requested permission of
the Commissioners to hang a flag on II \
Street, between Fourteenth and Fiji |
teenth Streets northwest to aid in the
decoration OF his hotel in connection with !
Inaugural week
Upon the recommendation Of the Major
and Superintendent OF Police the applica- !
ton was yesterday granted.
The Commissioners yesterday accepted
the proposal Of II. f. Burgess the low
est bidder for the construction of a re-
ceiving ward at Washington Asylum Hos
pital The price bid was Sl2.4S7.
A NEW WATER TOWER.
Valuable Addition to the Fire De-
pnrtInent Apparatus.