The Washington times., 1901-11-08
AFFAIRS OF THE DISTRICT
The Right to Land in Line of Ari-
zOna Avenue.

4 Claim for Damages i'm Connection
With the Construction of n Sewer
Heavier Wagon for the Senler's
Office Smoke From Il Dump.
George c. HazeltOn, attorney Cor Wal
ter Brown, a few weeks ago WI .e to the
Commissioners stating Willingness to ac-
cept the sum of $3.50 by way of comprom-
Use for damages and loss of rent Of pas
ture, by reason Of the construction of
the sewer along Arizona Avenue. In the
statement of the attorney it appears that
in the construction of the sewer along
the line of Arizona Avenue it became
necessary for the District to remove
fences and to deposit dirt from the trench
uuon the land which is claimed to belong
to Mr.. Brown.
David z. McComb the Superintendent
of Sewers, in reporting to the Commis-
sioners upon the matter, stated that, by
the terms of the deed, strip of land lVJ
feet wide was dedicated by Mr.. Brown as
n public highway forever subject to the
jurisdiction and control of the authorities
Of the District of Columbia, the same as
other streets and avenues of said District.
Mr. McCumb states that it would seem
that Mr.. Brown had no authority to lease
this land for pasturage, nor is there any
obligation resting upon the District of
Columbia to erect fences to separate 1t
from the land belonging to Mr.. Brown.
THE sewer contractor continues Mr..
McComb, informs me that n certain
amount of excavated earth was deposited
in the low part of Mr.. Browns land a.
his request. small amount of construc-
tion material has been placed on Mr..
Browns land eastward from the line of
Arizona Avenue, which the contractor has
been notified to remove"
The papers in the case were yesterday
received from the Auditor with the fol-
lowing statement:
The facts in this case show that Mr..
Brown was one of a number of property
owners who, some years ago, dedicated
to the District of Columbia a tract of
land now known as Arizona Avenue. The
sewer in question was constructed within
the limits of the portion thus conveyed.
and il in the prosecution of the work, II
became necessary to remove FENCES or
other Instructions. the District was clear
ly within it's rights in doing so, and no
ground for action or complaint on the
part of Mr.. Brown would seem to exist
The earth and other materials which
were temporarily deposited upon the ad-
joining land has, l am advised been re-
moved.
There is no appropriation available for
the construction OF fence along the line
of this sewer. nor does it seem incumbent
upon the District, under the circum-
Stances to build the same
The reports of the Auditor and the
Superintendent of Sewers have been ap-
proved by Major Biddle, the Engineer
Commissioner, and forwarded to the
Board for final action.
Col. w. C. Haskell. Sealer of Weights
and Measures, has reported to the Com
rnissioners the need of a heavier wagon
transporting the standard weights used
in the inspection of large scales. Mr..
Haskell states that it is necessary at
times to carry in this wagon $500 pounds
weight, and he is of the opinion that for
two years past the vehicle now in use has
been unsafe.
I'VE hoped" he said, ito have tho
wagon repaired so that 1t would serve
our purpose for another year, but we now
find that it is beyond repair November
we began our regular inspection Of the
heavy scales, and we are unable to use
the wagon, being obliged to hire one not
altogether suited for our work. In ad-,
6ition TO the regular inspection OF the.
heavy scales, we are called upon to in
spect Government scales, those belonging
to the District and to individuals, under
the law, and We must comply will all such
requests. When it is taken into consider
alton that We inspect more than 400 wagon
scales annually. the necessity for larger
vehicle can be more fully appreciated.
I find that we can purchase suitable
wagon fer $50. The contingent fund as
signed to this department is insufficient
for anything beyond actual expenses for
its operation, and an emergency Of this
kind is not provided for. ] understand,
however, that there IS a miscellaneous
contingent fund for the District which
might permit of the purchase of new
wagon for this office.
The communication has been noted by
Commissioner Macfarland, ana forwarded
TO his associates for their action.
Ruth G. d. Havens, Of p NJ Street
northwest, recently wrote to the Com
missicners complaining of the burning OF
paper and refuse on a dump somewhere
to the northeast of her home, and asked
that steps might be taken to abate the
nuisarce.
THE smoke, and smudge, and steach,
she says, extends as far south rs North
CAPITOL and II Streets, and is said to pre-
vent the renting or occupation of houses
to the northeast Of me. while On our
square, it is sufficiently unpearabie 10
make it necessary to keep our windows
closed after dark, and all night, or until
late in the night With some il pro-
duces coughing and almost suffJcauon,
and with some, nausea and incessant
vomiting. almost disabling them for their
next days work.
y had supposed that the new process of
cremation had eliminated the dump.
with all its aDGminabie aCCompanlments
and ii Is difficult for me to believe that
this daily visitation Of insanitary and
EickCning stencil is accomplished within
the law and police regulations of the nest
governed city in the United States.
The complaint mas been referred TO the
Police Department for fun ir"estiga-
ton into the facts of the case.
a few days age Mrs. Erb requested
permission to change the character or
her stall in the Eastern Market. and, in
stead Of selling notions, as heretofore, to
sell butter ana ggs. The application was
made the subject Of report to the Com
missioners by +. +. Graham, master of
the market, and he has advised against
the change on the ground that there are
six butter stands already in the market,
and that there doe not seem to be any
further need of the MULTIPLICATION of deal
ers in those cOnsm0C itiae. He states that
Mrs. Erb is the OH ' dealer selling no
tions in the n. ark = and he suggests that
her stand remain as It now is.
James S. Smith, Dr. .rsman in the Ellie
trical Department, I'D last night Of ty-
phoid fever. Mr.. Smith was i'll about three
weeks before his death.
Tho position which he occupied had
but recently been created, ard he was the
first one to fiji it. His work was most
satisfactory from the beginning, and he
was thoroughly liked by his associates.
He leaves a wife and two children. one a
baby. born but few days before he was
taken sick.
AhEua n sxR