The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-02-12
District Officials Explain Sys-
TEN to Others.
INTERESTING REPORT SUBMITTED
Information Compiled by Inspector
Ashford and the Electrical Depart
ment to lie Forwarded by The
Commissioners to PawtucIet. II. 1.

Mr.. Curtis H. Bennett, superintendent
of street signs and numbers of Paw
tucket, r. l., recently wrote to the Dis
trict Commissioners requesting informa-
ton as to the system employed in num-
bering streets and houses in the District
of Columbia. The enquiry was made the
subject of an extended report by Mr.
Snowden Ashford. Inspector of Buildings,
which was submitted to the Commission
ers yesterday. Mr.. Ashford says in part:
Street Numbering system.
Gas the streets OF the city run east and
west and north and south, cardinal lines
are taken through the Capitol Building
corresponding with East West, North,
and South Capitol Streets, dividing the
city into four sections.
Turning from The Capitol to number
any particular street, beginning with No /
on the first square from the Capitol on
the righthand side of The street and No.
on the lefthand side of the same street,
and running thus with successive num-
bers to the next intersectiIg street, where
the numbers begin 100 On the lefthand
side and 10l on the righthand side of the
street The numbering proceeds in this
order, beginning with succeeding hundreds
at each successive square and numbering
in the same manner to the end OF the
street
Numbers Tell Block Location
ut will be seen by this system that the
first number on the square would indi-
cate the location of the square and the
building with reference to the Capitol.
This system is extended beyond the city
limits, where streets are laid out in con-
formity with the city streets.
"To number b Street southeast We
would begin at the Capitol. looking east
on B Street. The first number in the first
square on the righthand side would be
l and the first number on the lefthand
side would be .. This would indicate that
the buildings numbered We're at the cor
ner of the first street intersecting East
Capitol Street. The first number on the
rghthand side of the second square would
be 101 and the first number on the left
hand side would be 100. indicating that
the buildings thus numbered are at the
corner of the second street intersecting
East Capitol Street. and SO on through
the length OF the street"
Expense Paid by Owners.
In reply to the cost of numbering houses
Mr. Ashford says that the expense is paid
by the owners, and that at present there
is no regulation defining the size or style
of numbers such matters being left to
the discretion of the owners.
Mr.. Thomas j. Fisher. of the Electrical
Department, reported upon that portion
of the enquiry relating to the style and
cost of street signs of which there are
at present three styles in use. Those on
the gas and naphtha lanterns, of double
thick ruby glass, with the lettering in
white. These cost twenty-five cents each.
The signs used to designate corners where
arc lights are maintained are Of brass
bound. japanned tin. and the lettering gilt.
The tins cost twelve cents and the letter
ing twenty five cents. The special signs
In use on ornamental Coils lamps are of
double-t thick ground glass, with red let
tering. the price being fifty cents.
Commissioners to Send Reply.
Mr. Fisher states that the style of let
tering is plain, and that the signs for gas
and naphtha light corners are placed in
square copper frames, with scroll work
at the top and the bottom. Coils signs
are placed in lanterns direct in lieu of
other glass.
The facts contained in these reports
will be conveyed to Mr. Bennett in the
reply OF the Commissioners.