The Washington times., 1901-08-04
AFFAIRS OF THE DISTRICT.
Telephone Connection With Police
and Fire Departments Wanted.
The Citizens Northwest Association
Points Gut Lack of Protection in
Tenleytown Residents Permitted
to Clear Tree Spaces of Weeds.

The Citizens Northwest Suburban AS
sociation, through its secretary, William
l. Crounse, has called the attention of
the Commissioners to the Importance of
direct communication between the pro-
1ected switchboard in Tenleytown and the
engine house and police station in that
suburb In a recent letter to the Board,
Secretary Crounse says:
Zone of the chief reasons that has in
duced our association to cooperate with
the telephone company in the establish
ment of an exchange at Tenleytown has
been to secure prompt means of COM
munication between our residences and
the Fire Department, the police, and the
physicians of our neighborhood. The
physicians very generally have subscribed
for telephones which will enable us to
call them at ali hours of the day or night,
but we are not advised that any arrange
ment has been made for communication
between the switchboard when estab-
lished and the police and fire depart
ments. We are aware that it would be
possible under favorable conditions for
subscriber in our section to call up the
local exchange, and by securing con-
nection through the main city exchange
notify Police Headquarters or the Fire
Department of the need of help, and
word might then be communicated over
the private telephone system of the Dis
trict 10 Tenleytown engine house or police
station. 1t is obvious, however, that only
under the most favorable conditions couId
such notice be sent through in. time to
be of any service. and We. therefore, urge
the Commissioners TO provide telephones
in the Tenleytown engine house and po-
lice station connected directly with the
,, .rFs.f4 4fslffl llT
would make necessary but single con-
nection for any subscriber needing as
sistance and would result in speedy re-
sponse. The expense to the District
would be insignificant and there would
ultimately be very important saving as
the establishment of a considerable mum
Der of fire alarm boxes, now greatly need
ed, would be rendered unnecessary
I'VE do not think argument is required
TO convince you that the arrangement
suggested would add enormously to the
measure of protection afforded by the
present rather meager police and fire
fighting facilities, and we do not doubt
that the arrangement along these lines
will be effected.
The matter was referred to the Elec-
trical Department, and the Electrical En-
gineer has informed the Commissioners
that soon as the telephone exchange
Is established in Tenieytown and the pro-
posed police station is built the con-
nsction asked for will be made.
The Commissioners have approved the
report and the secretary of the Citizens
Northwest Association Will be so in
formed.
The Engineer Department has been in
receipt OF a number Of requests recently
10 have weeds cut from the tree spaces
in various parts OF the District The ap
propriation for the care of trees is SO
limited that IL Is barely sufficient to care
for the trees themselves, and the depart
ment has been unable to go into the mat
ter of moving the spaces around the
trees. These spaces are generally cared
for by the owners or occupants of the
abutting houses, and IT was thought that
the householders understood that they
were at liberty To keep them sown In
grass and in good condition.
From enquiries which have been receiy-