The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-10
AFFAIRS OF THE DISTRICT
Question of Removing Centre Poles
on BrightwOOd Railway.
An Application Filed to Change the
Overhead Construction Near the
TerminaI-Lack Of Men for Police
Appointments Tax Question.

| avenue Spuln OF
Street, and to substitute for them poles
on the curb line with the regular span
| construction. 1t was also requested that
| permit be given to extend the span con-
struction on Brightwood Avenue to the
| north side of Street.
The application was referred to Walter
C. Allen. the Electrical Engineer. who re-
turned it with the following endorsement:
| II am informed that it is probable that
the Brightwood Railway Company will be
compelled to abandon the through cars on
its line and to stop the cars at the Flori-
| da Avenue terminus and for that reason
| it will be necessary to run the cars to the
old stopping place, approximately at the
| north building line on said avenue. This
| will necessitate the retention of the over
| head construction, which should be cross
| suspension rather than centre pole con-
| struction account of switching other
| cars on the street.
AS this is a question of policy on the
part of the Engineer Department, l re-
spectfuily request instructions
The matter was then referred to the
| Engineer Department, c. B. Hunt, the
| Computer. reporting upon it to the Com
| missioners. He recommended that the
| request be granted, as in accordance with
good policy. Mr.. Hunt suggested the ref
| erence of the matter again to the Electro
| cal Engineer. under whose supervision the
! proposed construction should be put In.
After consideration. Mr.. Allen has re-
| turned the papers to the Commissioners
recommending that the Brightwood
Railway Company be granted permission
to erect four iron poles on the west side
and four iron poles the east side of
I hptx Ave-
nue. and Pomeroy Street: also to stretch
between said poles the necessary guy
wires for supporting the trolley wires of
| the railroad company. Also to take down
| three wooden centre poles at the same
location
This recommendation has been approx
| ed by the Commissioners.
Thomas G. Hensey & Co, representing
Mrs. Blanche Claughton West. recently
sent communication to the Commission
ers asking that the tax on sublot g.
square 1872, be Cancelled and the amount
paid refunded. The ground for this re-
quest was that the tax referred to was
omitted from tax certificate issued oc-
tober 26, 1891
II. H. Darneille, the Assessor. in report
ing upon the matter at the request of the
Commissioners, informed them that in
this case tax certificate was issued Oc-
tober &c, 1897, to Thomas G.. Hensey, on
sublot g., square 132. wherein an unpaid
tax for 1896 was omitted. Continuing. the
Assessor states:
The title to the property passed to
Blanche Claughton West by deed record
ed November 5. 1897. presumably on the
faith of this certificate 1t is alleged that
loan was subsequently made and an
other certificate obtained, which showed
said tax for 1896. and the parties desiring
to consufnmate the loan, paid the 1886
tax, not having at the time possession of
the former certificate.
The question at issue is whether this
tax being paid would come within the
provisions of the act of May 10, 1892, re-
lating to tax sales and taxes and oper-
ate to discharge the tax as to an limo
cent purchaser and thereby incur re-
fund of said tax.
This matter involves. legal construc-
ton, and is submitted with a recommen-
dation for reference to Attorney of the
District of Columbia.
III. II. Darneiile, the Assessor, has for
warded TO the Commissioners statement
relative to the assessment of Liz acres.
on Brightwood Avenue, in the name of
Harry ]. Daley. and since May S, 1900, in
the name of James Cardinal Gibbons. and
fifteen acres on Brightwood Avenue in
the name Of Harry J. Daley for water
main tax. Mr.. Darneille informs the
Commissioners that the water main tax
was levied August II. 1895. for a water
main on Brightwood Avenue, between
Military Road and Aspen Street He
states that all the abutting property on
Brightwood Avenue was assessed the
owners OF the property Directing to the
assessment on the ground that the main
was trunk main and not for their bene-
fit.
The Assessor reviews the case at some
length he Ia W los IL. 70 no
matter under consideration, and recon-
mends that the reassessment against the
LIS acres, in the name Of Harry j. Daley
be Cancelled, for the reason that the same
property is assessed in the name of James
Cardinal Gibbons, who has been the
owner Of the property since May s. 1900.
Continuing, the Assessor SAYS:
In my opinion the original assessment
OF $699.0S against the fifteen acres as
essed in the name OF Harry J. Daley
should stand. and the reassessment OF
$50. u be Cancelled, but | submit this ques-
tlon without recommendation. for the
reason that the list of the original as
sessments, submitted at the time the
Commissioners reported to Congress on
the bill pending for the cancellation of
this assessment. showed that the main
had not been tapped for this propertv
the tapping having taken place subse-
quent To that time, but prior to the pas
sage OF the act Of June 2, 1890. and while
there is no doubt that "A literal construc-
ton OF the act would retain the original
tract was included in the intent of the
act for the cancellation of the assess
ment.'
Mr.. Darneille suggests that his state
menl be sent to the Water Registrar for
verilication, and that an opinion upnn The
questions at issue be obtained from tbe
Attorney for the District
Commissioner Ross, speaking of the
needs of the Police Department Yesterday
stated that there was a superabundance
OF applications for positions as street |
crossing policemen, and dearth of appli- |
caats for positions on the regular force |
lie said that about July ! there would |
be call for thirty-hve men as prfvates |
of class .. MIR. Ross stated that there |
were comparatively few available men on |
the eligible list, hardly more than enough |
to fill the vacancies that are regularly |
occurring in the force There are about |
], $50 applications, however. for the few
positions to be filled at street crossings.
where vacancies occur only three or four
times year. With view therefore. of
helping out the eligible list for regular
appointments on the force, Mr.. Ross said
that he desired the men who had applied |
for positions as street crossing police
l. D..