The Washington times., 1901-06-30

Gives His Views ON the Subject
licenses to Intelligence Offices
Complaint Against "a Wagon stand.
The Washington branch of the Ameris
can Bicycle Company has made applica-
tion for a permit TO carry small quanti-
ties of calcium carbide and gasoline. The
matter was referred TO the Fire Depart
ment, and William o. Drew, the Fire
, Marshal. reported that he had examined
the premises where it is proposed to store
the chemical named, and that he could
see no objection TO granting the request.
provided that not more than 80 pounds OF
calcium carbide in two gallon cans and
two gallons Of gasoline in cans be carried
at one time He also suggested that not
more than ten gallons Of gasoline in
closed cans be stored in a stable adjoin-
ing the building occupied by the bicycle
company, the stable being used for the
storing Of automobiles.
II. ". Duttoa, Chief Engineer of the
Fire Department, in forwarding the re-
port of the Fire Marshal to the Com
Laissioners recommended that the appii-
cation be referred TO the District Chemist
for a report as to the alleged explosive
qualities of calcium carbide. He stated
further that while he had been informed
that the chemical in itself was not dan
gerous, that it became a destructive eN-
plosive through the action OF fire and
water.
A W. Dow, the District Chemist, in his
report upon the qualities of the sub
stances mentioned, states that calcium
carbide is solid non-inhammable, and
is not dangerous when exposed to fire by
itself. 1t is rapidly decomposed when
brought into contact with water in any
form, into acafx-Iar,p ga nd oxi5a of lime
Acetylene is an inflammable gas, but not
more so than ordinary coal gas.
''When water is brought in contact with !
calcium carbide and the acetylene gas |
thus generated is ignited, slight explo |
sions take place blowing fragments of |
the carbide and liquid around. These eX- |
plosions are the result of the ignition OF /
the acetylene gas mixed with the air con- /
tanned in the pores and interstices of the /
Jumps of carbide. As the air contained in /
these Jumps is but small, the explosions |
are never violent or dangerous. The same
Is true when water IS poured into can
of carbide and the acetylene is ignited
only in this case there being consider
able air contained in the voids between /
the Jumps of carbide the explosion VIII 4
be more violent, but could never be dam
gerously so, even in a hundred pounds OF
the material
Andrew B. DuyaI, the Attorney for the
District. has reported to the Commission
ers that he has duly considered the com
muaication of Arthur ]. Smith, complain
ing of the conduct of business in certain
employment agencies, which. in view of
the sugg estion in the report Of the Major
and Superintendent of Police. that the IL
cense Of the party should be revoked, was
referred TO him for an opinion.
The act Of the late Legislative Assem-
bly, Of the District, approved August %,
1S1." says Mr.. DuvalI imposing a IL
cense on trades business. ard professions,
and providing that no person should be
engaged in any trade, business, or profess
sion hereinafter mentioned until he should
have obtained a license therefor, provid-
ed in the twenty-eighth paragraph of sec
ton p as follows:
'Proprietors of Intelligence Offices. who
charge for services shall pay annually $40
There is no provision in this act OF the
Legislative Assembly for reyoking a IL
cense which has been issued Hereunder;
and am of the opinion that the Commits
sioners are without authority TO revoke
the license granted 20 the proprietor Of
an intelligence cfice because advantage
has been taken OF the weak and ignorant ,
who have had business dealings with the
licensee.
The suggestions contained in the an {
nrai report Of the Major and Superinten- (
dent of Police for 1899 can only be put !
into operation when Congress shall au- :
-horize the Commissioners to make regu- {
ations respecting the conduct of intSli- [
gence Offices. and authorize the revoca- z
ion Of license upon failure to comply i
With such regulations - I
Lieut. ]. A. Moore. Of the Sixth Police &
Precinct, has submitted to the Superin- i
endent report on the condition exist
ng at the wagon stand on the southeast
,orner OF Seventh and K Streets north /
vest. He states that there is some dis =
rider at this stand and considerable COM
,Iaiut from citizens relative to the com p