Evening star., 1901-12-03
clerks in this branch of the public service,
and earnestly recommend that they be
provided
superintendent of insurance.

Superintendent of Insurance.
The new code creates the Office of super
tendent Of Insurance for the District of Co.
lumbia. and gives that officer supervision,
under the authority and direction Of the
Commissioners, over all insurance matters.
The Commissioners, apprecfating the I'M
portance of this office as the beginning of
the first department Of insurance In the
District government, have sought d1hgent-
ly for a man who would meet its exacting
requirements, and consider themselves for
tunate in securing as the first incumbent
Mr.. Thomas E. Drake, now deputy superin-
tendent of insurance of the state of Ohio,
who has been appointed to serve as super
intendent of insurance for the District OF
Columbia from the 1st of January next.
Harbor Master.
The harbor master reports another year
of arduous and faithful work. His facilities
have been increased by the improvements
to the harbor boat Vigiiant of the new
boiler last year and the new engine appro-
priated for In the fiscal year just closed.
The harbor master asks for an increase in
the item for miscellaneous expenses be-
cause of the necessarily added cost OF main
tanning the boat with this new and larger
machinery, which has materially raised the
efficiency of the vessel.
The harbor master once more recommends
that a night crew be furnished for the great
amount of extra work that must be done
by the boat at night, and he also asks that
naphtha launch be provided for the work
of dragging the river for corpses.
The Commissioners recommend that the
harbor master be made captain in the
police force and that the administration or
the police department over his work be
made closer and more immediate.
Excise Board.
The excise board reports that the number
of liquor licenses granted for the license
year ended October 81, 1901, was as follows:
Bar room, 516; wholesale, 124.
1t also states that on November, 1901 six
bar rooms and three wholesale places
ceased business, leaving in actual existence
on November 2, 1901, 510 bar rooms and III
wholesale places.
The Commissioners once more recommend
the enactment of the excise measure pre-
sented to the last Congress.
Sealer of Weights and Measures.
The sealer of weights and measures re-
ports that the city has been very thorough
ly canvassed and the regular inspection OF
scales, weights and measures has resulted
in a more satisfactory condition of weigh
ing and measuring throughout the District.
Receipts for the fiscal year ended June
3O 1901, amounted to $5,6OO.2O.
Total number scales sealed, 13,O32; con-
demned, 20; wagon scales sealed, 4oO; con
demned for repair, IL; correct. 204; within
tolerance, 215; weights sealed, GA; con-
demned %; measures sealed, 1852; con-
demned, 147; yard measures sealed, 754;
condemned 8; government scales inspected
and sealed and no charge made, "a
Wagon scales have received special at
tention and inspection of coal carts mas
been taken up from time TO time ana VIII
be continued.
The sealer recommends the placing of
new District scale of ten tons capacity at
the Center market, 18th and streets
northwest, and the removal Of one Of the
District scales to Tenleytown, where one is
very much needed.
He also renews previous Recommendation
for an annual inspection Of measures at
reduced fee and the adoption of a metal
measure with open meSheS at the bottom
for oyster measures.
Reference is also made to the inspection
and sealing of glass milk bottles or jars.
At the Hast session of Congress $500 was
appropriated for second assistant. SAID
appropriation became available July L, 1901.
The sealer recommended to the Commits
sioners of the District of Columbia toler-
ance, and also a fee for the inspection and
sealing of these bottles, based upon an estl-
mate of the number in use. In an order OF
the Commissioners under date June IL,
1901, recommendations were adopted. This
order was suspended to July 10 and again
to July %, 1901, upon request of the Milk
Dealers and Producers Association to give
it time to ascertain the number of bottles
in use, with the object of reducing the fee.
tion after due consideration, the sealer
recommended a reduction in the fee, which
was adopted in the order of the Commits
soners dated July 90, 1901, fixing tolerance
and fee of 80 cents per hundred bottles,
and an official notification was sent to each
milk dealer doing business in the District.
When the inspection was taken up the fees
in one or two instances were paid under
protest." in another the dealer refused to
pay the fee, and still another refused to ex-
hibit his measures. In the two last men
toned cases the matter was taken to court
with the idea of having it adjudicated, as
there appeared to be a combination of the
dealers for the purpose of resisting the
carrying out Of the law according to Of
fetal Interpretation. These dairymen pre-
sent their bills for a number of quarts"
''pints," etc., and their measure is the bot
tie. The cases have been delayed In court
on account of absence of counsel and the
use Of the jury by another branch OF the
court. and the Office is now awaiting a de-
cision before proceeding with a further ip-
spection and sealing of these measures.
The second assistant has been engaged
upon other work connected with the de-
partment; the increased receipts will cover
the additional expense and the department
continue to be self-sustaining. A decision
in the cases referred to will undoubtedly
be reached at an early date and the sealer
will know on what premises he stands
Improvement of the Anacostia River.
In their annual report for the fiscal year
SS'NA
their views respecting the reclamation and
improvement of the flats of the Anacostia
river within the District, and take occasion
to again present the matter to the atten-
ton of Congress in the belief that 1t will
be the subject of early and favorable ac-
ton.
District Building.
. The Commissioners again advert to their
recommendations for a District building,
which should comport in capacity, security
and appearance with the requirements and
dignity Of the local government at the ma
tional capital. The desire for such struc-
ture il not only founded upon a commend
able public spirit, but upon the absolute
necessity to replace with suitable accom-
modations the present rented apartments,
which are overcrowded and in many other
respects lily adapted to the purposes for
which they are used.
The legislation already projected in that
direction indicates that Congress duly APP
preciates this need, and that provision for
the erection Of an appropriate building for
the District offices will be made in the near
future.
Bathing Bench.
Nearly $4,000 bathers availed themselves
of the opportunities afforded by the bathing
beach. This seems to indicate that it meets