The Washington times., 1901-11-22
CAPTAIN HARDING
SHOWS INGENUITY.
SOLVES A PUzzLING PROBLEM.
Gets Il New Tin Roof in Spite of an
Obnoxious Lnw-COIOncl Biddlc
AEuin at His Desk--other
District Notes.

The ancient Daniel found way in which
to evade the unchangeabIe laws of the
Nedos and Persians. and a modern Daniel,
in the person of Capt. Chester Harding,
has discovered means to circumyent the
rigid requirements of the District apDro-
priation act Apparently the new effort is
quite as successful as the old.
The old police stationhouse in George
town was left on tie hands OF the District
several years ago. when the Seventh pre-
cinct was removed to larger and more
convenient quarters. The building has
since been rented to Mr. r. W. Darby as
place of business. Ii was an old struc-
ture. and recently it has been necessary
to put new roof upon it, at a cost of
about so.
How to pay the timer was the prob
len presented to the astute mind of the
engineer in charge of the Building De-
partment. Captain Harding foresaw an
insurmountable obstacle in the watch dog
propensity Of the Auditor, if any attempt
should be made to charge the expense to
the appropriation for repairs to police
stations, schoolhouses and, in fact to any
other municipal buildings.
Hit Upon II Solution.
The thing seemed impossible of accom-
plishment until in a happy moment. when
the genial captain was toying with the BIZ
nomiaI theorem and the differentiaI CO.
efficient in an endeavor 30 cipher out the
problem. he hit upon the obvious solu-
Tiop by allowing the tenant to pay the
cost OF the repairs and turn in the re-
ceipts to the Collector of Taxes in lieu
of the money.
Captain Harding lost no time in sending
W a Recommendation to that effect to the
Commissioners. who have approved the
common-sensa suggestion Of their subor-
dinete.
Col John Biddle, the Engineer Commits
soner. returned to the city yesterday
morning at o'clock and resumed
his duties in the District Building. He
has been to Detroit, Mich 10 attend the
funeral Of his father, William s. Biddle
who died suddenly last Friday morning.
Colonel Biddle stated yesterday that he
missed seeing Captain Beach, the former
Engineer Commissioner. who is now de-
JAILED to duty in Detroit, owing TO his ab-
sence from the city on a trip to Duluth.
Lumber In Sewer Trench.
A Cidlin mas been presented TO the Com
missiorers by John Jacoby, contractor for
constructing The intercepting sewer, for
the cost OF lumber left in the sewer
trench during the building of the tunnel.
David E. McComb, the Superintendent of
Sewers. in 4 report upon the application
for payment states that the specifications
OF the contract sufficiently cover the claim
of the contractor.
The language of the specification is:
For lumber left in the trench no payment
shall be allowed unless tine same shall be
specifically directed by the engineer prior
tc the refilling Of the trench"
There does not appear to be auy reason
in the mind Of the Superintendent of Sew
ers, on the basis outlined, for directing
that the bTacilg lumber be left in place,
except for the section which lies beneath
the tracks of the Pennsylvania Railroad.
foT which an order has been transmitted
to the contractor
4 PoIicenan's Reward.
As published in The Times, Charles
Morgan was placed under arrest few
days ago charged with robbing slot ma
chine, the property Of 4. H. Strasburger.
Morgan was afterward convicted in the
Police Court and punished.
Yesterday the owner forwarded to Major
Sylvester a check for s.. to be paid to
Private II. L. Galpin, for causing the ar
rest OF the culprit. The officer will be
allowed TO retain all of the reward except
20 per cent which viii be credited to the !