The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-05-08
AFFAIRS OF THE DISTRICT
The Abatement of a Nuisance in
Southwest Washington.
The Duty of Property Holder to
Connect with Sewer and Water
Mains - Replacement of Old Com
duits - Removal of Car Tracks.

- q
Quits - Removal of Car Tracks.
J. B. Kendall. of 61S Pennsylvania Ave
nue. northwest, has addressed the Com
missioners submitting Il statement and
protesting against compliance with the
notice served upon him by the Health
Department The notice in question was
that he must abate the nuisance of
filthy open yard and shed al 314 X Street
southwest. Mr.. Kendall states that II is
impossible to comply with the request, as
up to the present time he has not been
able to have the place connected with
water and sewer connections.
E. w. Whitaker, inspector of the
Health Department, in reporting upon the
matter has informed the Health officer
that the property in question is four
room frame dwelling substantially built.
and that the houses referred to on First
Street southwest which he vacated under
the same notice are brick buildings. The
Inspector says that these houses are such
as other owners in the neighborhood are
connecting with the sewers and water
mains The Inspector further. says that
if the gate TO the yard were closed after
good cleaning there would be no Iurther
cause for trouble.
missioners DR.. Woodward. the Health
officer, says: II know of no reason what
soever why Mr.. Kendall should be re-
lieved of responsibility for the unsanitary
condition of premises belonging to him.
The ground on which such relief is sought.
viz the untenanted condition of said
premises would certainly not be sufhcient
even If, as alleged, he had been required
to remove the tenants therefrom. The re-
moval of such tenants was, however, en-
tirely voluntary on his part, as he elected
to do so rather than make certain i'm
provements necessary to keep his prem
ises in proper condition.
Il recommend that Mr.. Kendall be no.
titled that it will be necessary for him to
comply promptly with the within notice
Charles Fernald, Assistant Engineer of
the District of Columbia, recently inform
ed the Commissioners that no answer had
been received to the letter of enquiry ad-
dressed to the Anacostia and Potomac
River Railroad Company, relative to the
tracks at Thirteenth and Streets south
east. He asked that another letter be
sent to the officers of the company urging
immediate consideration of the request
made by the District.
c. b. Hunt. the Computing Engineer, in
forwarding the request of his assistant to
the Commissioners asks that the company
be informed that in the event of failure
to receive a response from them at the
time the paving Is done, which is now il
progress near the point named, such fail
ure TO inform the Commissioners of the
intentions of the company be taken as an
indication that the tracks are to be per-
Hunt recommends that the tracks be re-
moved and the space repaved at the cost
of the railroad company.
These recommendations have been APP
TtrOvpQ nv the Engineer commissioner
and it is understood that the Board Will
approve the same.
H L. HeiskeIl. of 1854 Madison Street.
has requested that a permit be issued to
William Kennedy to occupy the sidewalk
for the purpose of selling produce at the
corner of Tenth and B Streets northwest.
In reporting upon the application. a
J. Thomas. an inspector of the Engineer
Department, has informed the Commits
sioners that Mr.. Heiskell sells country
produce from the public space in front of
the premises named. which are occupied
by barroom. The applicant Informed
Mr.. Thomas that he has an office in the
barroom, but he says that he could find
nothing to verify the statement, as no
part OF the building had the appearances
of being used for storage purposes
Mr.. Thomas states IT as his belief that
the allotment of the public space was in
lot the Soit use OF the occupants
of the abutting property for the display
and storage of goods carried in stock on
the premises. and for that reason Mr.
Thomas recommends that the application
be denied.
This report the Commissioners have APP
proved.
Andrew B. Duvall. the Attorney for the
District, has submitted to the Commits
sioners his opinion upon the request of
John r. Shields that tax bills be render
ed on sub-lots 24l to 2i5 inclusive. in
square 675. Mr.. Shields also asked that
the bills be rendered In accordance with
the new assessment on said lots, and that
interest be added from the date of the
new assessment. With reference to the
matter the Attorney says:
1T appears that in accordance with an
order of the Commissioners. dated March
II. 1901. this property which for over
twenty years has stood assessed in the
name of Alexander r. Shepherd, who was
not the owner thereof has been listed
for those years in the name of the rec
ord owner
Il Of opinion that this constituted
new assessment of said property: and
it, therefore. results the ar,nIica