The Washington times., 1901-08-17
AFFAIRS OF THE DISTRICT.
Water Rent for Georgetown Uni
versity Hospital Annex.
The Attorney Holds Tint Free Ser
vice Is Unwarranted - Police De-
pnrtment Property Clerk AuthOriz-
ed to Sell Furniture in Storage.

The Attorney Holds Tint Free Ser.
vice Is Unwarranted - Police De.
pnrtment Property Clerk Authorize.
ed to Sell Furniture in Storage
A few days ago DR.. Francis S. Machen
resident physician of the Georgetown Uni
versity Hospital, requested that the prem
ises 1914 N Street northwest be exempted
from water tax on the ground that they
are part of the hospital The matter,
after being reported upon by the Water
Department. was referred to the Attorney
for his opinion. Yesterday Mr.. Duvall
submitted his opinion, follows:
The Water Registrar states that the
Georgetown University Hospital has been
and is being furnished with Potomac wa
ter free of charge. 1t appears that No.
S5l4 n Street is in immediate contact with
| the hospital and is used by the sisters in
charge of the hospital as a place OF resi-
| dence and that the washing for the pa
tents is done there.
| THE act of Congress approved June 90.
| 1885, contains the following provision with
! reference to the furnishing of Potomac
water free of charge:
The Commissioners of the District of
Columbia are hereby authorized to fur
| nish Potomac water without charge to
| orphan asyiums and charity schools and
| to such institutions receive annual APP
preparations from Congress, to an amount
| to be fixed in each case by the Commits
| sioners, not to exceed the rate of 100 gal
| Ions per average capita of inmates per
| diem: and for all water used beyond such
| an amount the institution shall be
| charged at the prevailing rate for the use
| of water in the District. They ere fur
Their authorized to furnish Potomac water
without charge to churches to an amount
to be fixed in each case by the said Com
missioners. any amount in excess to be
charged as herein before provided
THE above mentioned house, 35l4
Street, is not an institution receiving an
annual appropriation from Congress, nor
is it an orphan asylum, charity school, or
church, but it is the private residence of
the sisters in charge of the hospital.
Il am unable to advise that because
the washing for the hospital patients is
done at said premises the Commissioners
are authorized to furnish Potomac water
thereto without charge.
1t is understood that the action OF the
Commissioners will be based upon the
foregoing opinion, and that DR.. Machen
will be informed in accordance herewith
A 3. Duvall, Attorney for the District,
has rendered an opinion to the Commits
SlOferS on the itSdi ihNoi"tN IA
the request of w. Fl. Grmshaw, of AZ
Tenth Street northeast, to pay taxes for
the years from 1896 to 1901. inclusive, on
lot Is, square 1859. without penalties and
interest The Attorneys opinion is as
follows:
The Assessors favorable recommended
ton is based upon the allegation that the
property was improperly transferred from
~ n Horace Il Cummings
on the assessment books under deed
dated October IL, 1889, from the heirs at
law of Stepheny Forrest; and that the
title of the owner, said w. H. Grimshaw,
was finally established April -, 1901, by
a decree of the Supreme Court of the Dis
trict of Columbia.
''The Supreme Court of the United
States, reversing the decree in said cause,
held that the title to these and other lots
comprising the north half of square 1853 |
was in the heir Stepheny Forrest.
In the further proceedings in said case, |
in conformity with the opinion of the |
Supreme Court, said lot l6 was assigned |
to w. II. Grimshaw, not as its owner, but |
in satisfaction OF a Certain claim ne mad |
established against all of the property.
1T thus appears that said lot was prop |
erly transferred to said Horace 5. Cum |
mings.
THE said lot was thereafter sold for |
taxes, and deed therefor given May Il, |
1881, to Walter < Repetti, the latter OF |
whom on January IL. 1898, conveyed his
interest to NJ. /. Weller, who, on July g. |
1901. conveyed his interest to w. II. Grim
shaw.
1T thus appears that the municipal au-
thoritjes have done no act which puts
them in any wise in default in this mat
ter. the several assessments appear to be
and | am of the opinion that the |
application should be denied
The Commissioners yesterday approved |
the application made by James A. Kemp,
Property Clerk of the Police Department.
who requested permission to advertise and
sell at public auction furniture, etc, found
by the police in December, 1889. in front
of and adjacent to premises 60l Sixth
Street northwest. Mr.. Kemp states in his
application that his request is made be-
cause the owner ot the property has not
called al Headquarters to take possession
Of it, though the supposed owner has been |
notified several times, through her attor-
neys, that 1t would be returned to her
as soon as she proved ownership.
According to a letter written to the
Commissioners last May, Richard p.
Evans. attorney, the property in question
belongs to Miss Mary E. Kelly. The facts
In the case are that the goods were found
on the sidewalk and in the street at the
point named, and that after lying there
some days, they were taken charge Of by
the police and turned over to the prop |
erty clerk for safe keeping. The goods
were placed in storage. and last May |
bill of Sl6s had accumulated for storage |
and at that time ii was suggested that |
he goods be sold to pay the storage eX-
)enses. Afterward, acting upon the ad-
ice of the Comptroller of the Treasury, |
he storage expenses were paid by the
District and the goods placed where no |
urther expense for storage would be in
.urred.
The property has been in the hands of |
he property clerk since 1893. and action
las been taken by the owner every six |
months to keep intact the ownership of | ,
he goods. The Commissioners now think .
he matter has gone tar enough and steps |
viii be taken to dispose of the property |
20 to reimburse the District for the | ,
mount paid for storage. /
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