The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-25

sioncrs That the Levy Was Ac-
cording to Law-Trin1 Of the Water
Tower Defective Sidewalk.
B. F. Leighton. acting as attorney for
Mrs. Z. Frances Pitts, recently ad-
dressed the Commissioners with regard
to the payment of the assessment for
water mains against lots 5S5 to $40 inclu-
sive, and lots 617 to 64 inclusive, Fox and
Van Hook S subdivision of Uniontown,
without interest and penalties. The at
torney states that these lots were as
sessed November ?, 1896, for a water main
at $50 EACH except lot GA, which was as
sessed at $45, making total of S4S5.
Mr. Leighton states that none of these
lots is improved, and that they are used
for agricultural purposes. He says the
water main was laid at the request of
the owner of the lot lying to the east of
those enumerated. and that the main was
laid without the knowledge of the other
property owners fronting on Jackson
Street and for the sole convenience of the
owner CT property referred to. He states
further that the main has not been tapped
and may not be for several years to come
Mr.. Leighton calls attention to the act
of Congress approved July s. 1898, for the
assessment and reassessment of water
main taxes, in which there is a proviso
that such tax shall be due and collectable
from the date on which the connection is
made from the water main to the parcel
or lot of ground against which the as
sessment is laid. Mr.. Leighton calls at
tention to the sale of lots at tax sale and
TO the accrued interest and penalties, and
states that Mrs. Pitts wishes to pay the
tax without these extra costs.
The Assessor, in his report on the appli-
cation. informs the Commissioners that
the assessment was made in accordance
with the law in force at the time, and
that all the requirements of the law were
complied with. He states further that the
law in force at the time this assessment
was levied did not permit of the construc-
ton that the assessment should be due
and payable at the time the main should
be tapped. The Assessor, therefore, rec
ommends that the application be not
granted, and it is understood that the
Commissioners will approve the report
William T. Belt, Acting Chief Engineer
of the Fire Department, has informed
Commissioner Macfarland that the wa
ter tower will be placed in serv-
ice today, in accordance with his
orders Mr.. Belt states that there will
be trial of the tower at 10 o'clock this
morning, at which time engines No.
2, regular, and No. G, extra, will be
used. This trial is to be made with a
view to ascertaining the most economical
manner in which to operate the tower at
fires. In connection with the trial there
will be several experiments along lines
suggested by William A Mcfarland, the
Superintendent of the Water Department.
1t was noticed at the former trial of
the water tower that the engines were
placed at considerable distances from the
tower, one of them being a square away.
In this way much of the power of the en-
gines was lost in the friction on the hose
between the plug and the tower. Mr.. Nc
Farland has suggested that the engines
should be attached to the nearest plugs
with short hose, and thus gain the high
est efficiency. Todays trial of the water
tower will be made with special refer
ence to the carrying out of this idea.
L. S. Fristoe, of 1913 Street north
west. has forwarded to the Commission
ers the complaint of Mrs. Dellinger, 32o4
School Street, Mount Pleasant relative to
water flooding the sidewalk, yard, and
cellar, caused by the curb being set in
an improper manner.
c. B. Hunt, the Computing Engineer, in
reporting upon the complaint, has in
formed the Commissioners that the curb
grade is somewhat above the surface of
the yards and parking of the locality. He
states that new curb was laid on the sth
inst. in anticipation of laying a new ce-
ment sidewalk, which has not YET been
completed. Mr. Hunt SAYS that after a
heavy rain the conditions described by
the complainant undoubtedly occur, but
nave been temporarily relieved by making
an opening in the curb.
Mr.. Hunt informs the Commissioners
that when the new walk is laid and the
parking and yards adjusted to the new
level, a recurrence of the difficulties re-
ferred to need not be anticipated
The Commissioners have approved the
report, and the complainant will be in
formed in accordance with the same.
D. E. McComb. Superintendent of Sew
ers, has transmitted to the Commission
ers schedule of the proposals received
for the construction of certain sewers and
has recommended that contracts be
awarded TO John p. Larguey, NJ. F. Nc
Namara, and John Jacoby. The Commits
sioners have approved the recommended
ton.
Commissioner Beach has forwarded to
his associates a recommendation that A.
p. Clark, the architect, be allowed 500
for the preparation of plans for the four
room school building for Petworth Cap
tain Beach calls attention TO the state
ment submitted TO the Commissioners
relative TO the inadequacy of the amount.
500, named in the specifications.
Following the advice of the Assessor,
the Commissioners have voted not to
grant the application of Carrie Madison,
OF Brightwood, who asked that she be
permitted TO pay water main tax against
34.s3 acres on Seventh Street Road with
out interest and penalties.
The Assessor. in his statement, says
that the assessment was levied August TO-
1895, and that the owner OF the property
at that time WAS notified. He says fur
Their that Mrs Madison did not purchase
the property until October 80, 1897. more
than two years after the levying of the
assessment. and for that reason she was
not entitled to notice.
W. F. Nash, Of 100 NJ Street northwest,
has requested that a water meter be in
stalled in the apartment house desig-
mated as 1874 on the books of the water de-
partment in square $50.
With reference to this application the
Commissioners have approved the recon-
mendation of II. l.. Karpeles, acting chief
clerk of the Water Department, 10 the