The Washington times., 1902-10-04
Mr.. A. B. DUVALL'S REPORT
Work of Corporation Coun-
sci Shown to Be Heavy.
MANY MUNICIPAL CASES
Opinions Given on Great Variety of
Subjects Relating to District At
fairs and Pending Legislation.

The District Commissioners yesterday
received from Mr.. Andrew B. Duvall,
Corporation Counsel. his annual report
of the operations of his department for
the last fiscal year. Attention is called
to the provision of the District Code
changing the name of the Attorney of
the District" to City Solicitor and
then by an amendment to the Code to
Corporation Counsel
Mr. Duvall states that during the year
374 opinions and ia communications
were written and submitted by him and
his assistants relative to pending munic-
ipal matters and suits before the courts.
"A great variety of subjects, Mr. Du-
vail says. relating to municipal affairs
were covered and discussed in these
opinions. including taxation and assess
ment, street extensions and occupation
of public space, pending legislation, pro-
posed regulations and the construction
of acts of Congress.
Oral Opinions.
..Oral opinions have been rendered in
numerous cases submitted by various
District officials concerning matters of
current business arising in the admin
istration of their respective depart
ments.
The organization of new municipal
departments, SUCH as the Insurance De-
partment, has added materially to the
steadily increasing volume of the work
of this Office
THE numerous municipal contracts
and leases and bonds to secure perform
ance Of the contracts have been exam
ined and certified as to sufficiency of
form and over one hundred tax deeds
have been prepared
Suits for Damages.
The report summarizes seventeen ac
tions for damages against the Commis-
sioners still pending in the Supreme
Court of the District, and of eleven
cases in which final judgment was rend-
cred in favor of the municipality.
list of nine cases is given in which ac-
tions have been instituted in the Equity
Court against the Commissioners, ana
of three cases still pending in the Court
of Appeals. Six cases are enumerated
as disposed of in the Court of Appeals
during the fiscal year.
Mr.. Duvall calls attention to the sue
cessful prosecution of number of ac7
tions in the Police Court for violation
of the smoke law and states that four
of these cases were appealed and are
pending before the Court of Appeals.
Five suits al law, other tharefor dame
ages, are enumerated. DEGREES in equity
were entered in eleven cases in favor of
holders of tax deeds. canceling taxes as
sessed prior to the date of the tax sale.
Judgments in certiorari were entered in
four cases quashing assessments for
taxes Illegally assessed. There was one
proceeding in habeas corpus, and ten
bills in equity were filled 10 enjoin the
sale at the last tax sale of certain lots
assessed for benefits in street exter-
sions.
Street Extension.
Mr.. Duvall reviews the several street
extension cases under consideration dur
ing the year. and the report shows the
disposition made of the extensions of
Sixteenth Street. New Hampshire Ave-
nue., widening of Columbia Road and
old Sixteenth Street, Eleventh Street,
Pennsylvania Avenue southeast. widen
ing of Sherman Avenue. extension OF
lexington Place. widening of Adams
Mill Road. condemnation of site for the
Tenleytowp police station. and a num-
Ter CT cases fer condemning land and
opening alleys.
Mr.. Duyall states that there were 3d.;