The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-03

William H. Morrell, wealthy resident
of New York, called on the Commissioners
yesterday and urged the necessity for
| prompt action in regard to purifying the
drinking water with which the city is
| supplied. Mr.. Morrell has for a number of
years spent his winters in the National
Capital the climate Of which he finds
more congenial than that of New York.
He said to Times reporter yesterday
that the only fault he had to find with his
temporary annual residence was the fact
that the drinking water was not only of
a poor quality, but positively injurious to
| health. He stated that he was obliged
ago on this account.
Mr.. MoTrell cited a case illustrating the
injurious effect of the water. He said that
he knew of a capitalist of Washington,
who was largely interested il the street
railways and other paying properties of the
District, who was made i'll by the use of
the water and although he has recovered
will probably never be free from the all
ment fastened upon him by drinking the
contaminated water of the Potomac. Mr..
Morrell believes that unless system of
filtration is adopted or something done to
| provide the city with pure water there
will be great falling off in the number
of winter residents of the Capital.
The Commissioners few days ago re-
ceived an application from the Washing
ton Gas Light Company for a permit &c
lay main in Central Avenue nor theast,
from Fourth Street. about 800 yards.
After an investigation into the facts in
the case George w. Wallace, an inspector
OF the sewer division, reported TO the En-
gineer Commissioner through Captain
Gaillard that Central Avenue according
TO the records OF his office, is not public
street.
The matter was next reported upon by
W. p. Richards, through Captain New
conner with the information that Central
Avenue, between Fourth Street east and
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, is con-
sidered public highway, and he states
that report was made upon this phase
of the case some years ago by the Attor-
ley for the District Mr.. Richards, how
ever. informed the Commissioners that II
was the intention of the department to
abandon that portion OF the street under
the project for a permanent system Of
highways.
At this stage In the consideration Of
the question Mr.. wallace reported 10 the
Commissioners that the gas main in
question had been laid.
Thereupon Captain Beach, the En-
gineer Commissioner, forwarded the pa
pers in the case 20 Commissioner Ross,
with the Information that the gas main
for which permit IS requested has been
laid without a permit and the fact was
not detected by the police.
II now remains for the Police Depart
ment to explain how 1t all happened.
The Commissioners have received from
Joseph Crawford. general agent of the
Philadelphia and Wilmington Railroad
Company, request with reference 10 the
laying of extra tracks temporarily for the
accommodation of traffic on the occasion
of the inaugural ceremonies. Mr.. Craw-
ford asks that the Commissioners will
take steps to have passed in Congress a
resolution granting them authority to is
sue permit to the said railroad company
to allow them TO occupy temporarily GER
tain streets. and to lay tracks thereon, for
the purpose named.
Commissioner Beach in considering the
matter has forwarded to his associates
with his individual recommendation q copy
of the joint resolution enacted four years
ago with reference &c the matter. He
thinks that II Congress re-enacts this res
olution it will clothe the Commissioners
with the requisite authority TO act in the
premises.