The Washington times., 1901-08-14
AFFAIRS OF THE DISTRICT.
Major Sylvester Reviews Clash
of Policeman and Marines.
The Pctroimnn's Language Toward
an Oflcer of the Barracks Con-
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS TO Physicians-A
TnSoma Park Petition Answered.

| MdJor sylvester yesterday forwarded 10
the Commissioners the papers in the case
of Private F. NJ. Dent, charged with in
toxication and conduct unbecoming a po-
liceman Before the trial officer Dent was
found not guilty. Major Sylvester in pass
ing upon the case appended the follow
ing statement:
Approaching the hardships which at
tach 20 barracks life. the Superintendent
of Police exercised every prerogative and
liency within his gift TO ensure to the
marines engaged in baseball recreation
means of securing the same with the
| least possible restrictions. The Superin-
| tendent went so far as to confer with
| Col. T. A. Bingham United States Army.
| Superintendent of Public Buildings and
| Grounds, who has the southeast play
| ground under his supervision, also with
| Lieutenant Scott, who had charge of the
| Marine baseball team. and it was hoped
that they might occupy the ground re-
| ferred to without mourning the hostility
| of the residents of that locality, but when
1t was found that complaints were being
J made charging inattention and inactivity
on the part of the police when the play
! ers knocked their ball into the street,
| making themselves subjects for the en-
| forcement of the regulations, an under
| standing was had whereby, in such in
| stances, they Were to furnish collateral
and be spared the embarrassment of be-
| ing placed in station.
| las the citizens continued to protest. it
| became necessary for the police to be
mindful of their duties, which, it was in
tended. should be performed with the least
| harshness practicable. On the occasion
in question the regulation was technical
lv VII lot al nft no
| placed on their honor and permitted to
go into the barracks for the purpose of
making arrangements to answer the
| charge, one of them giving a name other
than his own. Finding that they failed
to keep their word, the policeman ap-
piled to the officer of the day for the
men, but did not secure them as they
had left the barracks. He was told to
procure warrants, which he did, but made
a mistake as to the identity in the case
of one of the men arrested.
1T is admitted that it is a dangerous
thing for a police officer to relinquish hi.
duty after having taken formal steps md
as unpleasant as it may have opEea ed
to those interested, nothing remain. = to-
him but to proceed. The oaicet cao.jd
be emphaticaily reminded that the graf
uitous remarks which it is shown he made
to the officer of the day were unwar-
ranted, although there may have been
some provocation. and L shall take occa-
sion to educate him in this particular.
AS to the officer being intoxicated, that
Is not proven He is a man of ford COM
plexion, which might lead to such a con-
eiusion was there disposition so to de-
termine, but his statement that he was
not in such condition is substantiated by a
yyh hal
respect are most exemplary
Il recommend, with the single excep-
ton of the officers conduct, which l have
noted, that the charges be dismissed,
mindful at the same time that the two
marines should have maintained their
understanding with the police, and have
made response to the officers summons
after they reported at the barracks, in
stead of misleading him by giving a
WroEg name in one instance ana in elud-
ing him by going TO the river
Il regret this occurrence following a
disposition to serve the members of the
ball team and their estimable leader
whom know personally to be an officer
feeling that the defendant was endeayor-
ing to do his duty to the best of his
ability, believing that he would be sup
ported by the compliments whose CO.
operation was promised
Heber L. Thornton and others, heirs-at-
law of Grammers Addition to Takorna
Park, recently united in communication
to the Commissioners requesting certain
information relative to the grade of
streets and railroad tracks in that sub
division. The petitioners cited the fact
that in 1890 thirty-six acres of land were
subdivided just west of Takoma Station,
and that streets ninety-feet wide were
dedicated to the District. taking in all
MI, go
attention to the fact that the Brightwood
Railway Company constructed a railroad
on Umatilla Street upon grades approved
by the Engineers Office. They com
planned that these tracks were so elevated
on Umatilla Street as to practically ruin
several squares of ground for building
purposes.
Having stated these facts the petition |
ers wanted to know whether the car
tracks are really laid in conformity with |
approved grades and also whether grades |
could not be established at the intersec-
tons OF Fifth and Sixth Streets with UNI |
i atiiia street. They stated that they had |
lost several sales on account of the doubt |
In the minds of prospective purchasers as !
to the stability of the grades of the car |
tracks, the parties mentioned not being |
willing TO run the risk of having the |
street car tracks lowered when the street !
takes place.
Inc petitioners also state that a granO- |
lithic sidewalk had been laid on the north
side of Vermillion Street from Fifth TO |
Seventh streets northwest, and they said |
that this sidewalk fell toward Fifth Street
at such a steep grade that if adjoining
was to be considered level street
crossings such as have been established |
at Sixth and Vermillion streets were un-
unsightly, and very injurious to |
property interests. The petitioners asked
that, in connection with the Improvement |
of Vermillion Street this year a grano-
lithic sidewalk be laid on the south side
from Fifth Street to the Piney Branch
road
to the surface division of the Engineer
Department, and c. B. Hunt, the comput-
ing engineer, has reported as follows:
Il recommend that the work described |
be included in the next list to be adver-
Used for objections under the asse ssment |
system, being requested by. majority of
the abutting property. l also recommend
that the petitioners be informed of this
action. and that they be further told that
the grade of the railroad tracks on Una
tilla Street conforms very closely 10 the
approved grade which mas been establish
d after very careful consideration of the
different interests involved. The details
Of the grade of the new walk will be given
careful consideration at the time of its
The above report has been approved by
he Commissioners and the petitioners will
De so Informed.
under the direction of the Board of Med
cal Supervisors in July, the following
named physicians were yesterday licensed |
10 practice medicine: Drs. Percy A. Tin
iall. Howard w. Barker, Herman E.