The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-27

who are doing their utmost. at great ex-
pense to bring TO n successful conclusion
proposition which is experimental! at
best
nests of so-called smoke consumers
have been freely made, and although our
experts have failed to discover any de-
vice which will accomplish the present
n,vertheless concluded negotiations for
the equipment of our entire plant with
mechanism which will undoubtedly do as
much as anything yet invented to del
crease the volume of Objectionable ma i
terial emitted from our smokestacks-
There cannot be two opinions as "a
the advisa bilty and propriety of prose
cutting those who Intentionally violate thtI
law-whether that law be wise or othert
wise-but il should never seem necessary
to exert undue pressure adverse to thost]
who are doing all that can possibly btj
done to put themselves in accord with
statute which is being disobeyed noC
merely all over the District of Columbia
but in every city where such law,
exists.
of the matter yesterday, stated that 1t
was his intention to lay the letter from
Mr.. Harries before the Board on the re-
turn of Commissioner Ross, who is alb
sent from the city. The Board will then
discuss the question whether they shall
order arrests To be made in such cases a
that presented by the metropolitan Ran
road Company. Commissioner MacfarV
land said there was no question about theI
violation of the law in the several power
plants of this company. He said that theyj
had reports and complaints which pup
that fact beyond the pale OF doubt.
He said however. that there was
question in his mind and in that of the
Board whether they should proceed
against reputable citizens who are max
ing efforts more or less directly to con-
form to the law.
The Commissioners feel that they have
done all they could by way OF enforcing
"a IN pf
difficulties in the way of applying de-
vices quickly which will prevent smoke
in coal-burning furnaces their policy has
been not to press unduly when they Were
satisfied of an honest intention TO obey
the law.
A personal friend Of Commissioner Mac
farland. now in Porto Rico, has written
him about the return of the battalion OF
Porto Ricans who came to Washington
to take part in the Inauguration cere-
monies The writer stated that the men
were greatly interested in what they saw,
and were enthusiastic in their praise of
the treatment they received at the hands
of the Americans They thought the
United States was a great country. and
Washington the most beautiful city mag
Unable.
The Porto Ricans were asked what sin
gle thing had most interested them on
their visit They said it was to see the
three great horses attached to the steam
fire engines tear down the streets on the
night of the fire at Knox's warehouse.
you would not be surprised at their in
terest" writes Mr.. Macfarands friend,
If you could see the 'bomberos,' as their
fircmen here are called, perform after
fire-fOr | have never known them to
reach the scene until the fire is out. They
are obliged to run to their enginehouse
and put on the most curious looking rig.
consisting of a glazed black helmet, red
shirt white belt and blue trousers
though If il is Il specially hot day, the lat
ter are not really essential
Meyer FEEDER, of Wheaton. Md, has for
warded a letter to O. Commissioners
calling attention to certain abuses in con-
nection with the space reserved for far
mers about the markets of the city. He
claims that this space is now taken up by
hucksters. and that the real farmers have
no room. MIR. FEEDER states that the ma
jority of those selling on the outside of
the markets buy in the city what they
sell. and that they have no farms at all.
Mr. FEEDER suggests that a thorough in
vestigation be made and that the farmers
he given their rights in this connection
Mr.. FCder suggests "A plan OF investigation
that he thinks will succeed. lie proposes
that an inspector go 60 one or the mar
kcts on Saturday afternoon. There let
him secure the names and addresses of
the men selling or the outside, or TAR
mers stalls, and then afterward let him
try ana lind their homes. He ventures
the assertion that no farms Will be found
connected Herewith.
1t is understood that the complaint Will
be referred to the Police Department for
investigation and report.