Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-09
GEORGETOWN AFFAIRS
MR.. KING MAKES SOME INTER
EsTING COMPARISONS
The B. and o. Railroad Project and the
Delay-An Accident and Other
Notes.

Mr. George w. King of 1925 32d street
northwest recently devoted considerable
time to the study Of the business methods
followed in the water department of the
District government as compared with the
management and operation of the gas
offices of several cities. He has carefully
complied all data obtained and, through
the local press has addressed an open let
ter to the Commissioners embodying the
gist of his conclusions. The letter follows:
''Why is 1t that the great cost and nu-
merous employees required by the water
registrars office of the District to accom-
plish the work that is done by the gas
companies. in a few days. twelve times a
year. at very much less cost and more than
twelve times the laber accomplished? The
expenses Of the water registrars office as
shown by the auditors report, last year,
were s35, 296.6S: population of the District
Of Columbia. $4,000. and time required by
employees in which to perform work OF the
Office. twelve months.
1.-The card system Is used. Syracuse, N. Z,
with population of 10 900, employs but six
clerks in the gas office, the total salary OF
said clerks being $4,000 per annum. Seven
days are required in making out bills. Num-
Der of houses In the city, 1900. Detroit.
Mich, has population of 100000, and the
employees are but five days in making out
bills. Number of houses in city, 10000.
Il have reports from cities with popula-
tons from So, 900 up to $4,000 with houses
to the number of 100000, and In no case
does the expense of the office exceed $1,000
per annum. or the time required to make
out bills exceed ten days. To give these
cities in detail would occupy too much
space. No company that have heard from
uses the card system"
The B. and o, Railroad.
The merchants and business men, gen
orally. of Georgetown are becoming very
uneasy over the dilatory manner that is
being pursued by the officials of the Balu-
more and Ohio Railroad Company In the
matter of furnishing freight facilities to
the westerly section of the city. Some time
ago the company gave assurances that 1t
would again take up the original project
of extending a branch line into George
town. but up to this time nothing has been
done in that direction.
The committee representing the business
interests of Georgetown dispatched letter
last evening to Vice President Potter of the
railroad company requesting information
as to the fulfllment of the promises. The
letter also states that the committee Is es-
pecially anxious to know exactly what will
be done by the railroad. as the location Of
several manufacturing plants is contingent
upon the answer of the company.
Unless the Baltimore and Ohio company
decides to make use Of the railroads al
ready laid along K street northwest, and
in this way place adequate freight facilities
at the disposal of the business men of the
westerly section of the city, an attempt
will be made to have Congress annul the
franchise held by that company and at the
same time grant another railroad the right
to enter Washington by way of the George
town route.
An Accident.
Frank Brown, a lad of fifteen years. who
resides with his parents at lab Beth street
northwest, sustained painful injuries about
5:15 o'clock yesterday afternoon while at
near the Aqueduct bridge. The boards of
framework OF the crusher are in very bad
state of decay. Young Brown was Jump
ing around on the crusher with number
of comrades yesterday. when one Of the
boards snapped. He slid through the open
ing and fell to the ground. fifteen feet be-
low, breaking his left wrist and left ankle.
He was treated at the Georgetown Univer-
sity Hospital.
Local Notes.
who attempted suicide early yesterday
morning by drinking carbolic acid and In
haling Illuminating gas. 10 still Q patient at
the Georgetown University Hospital. suffer-
ing from the effects Of the poison.
The Georgetown Gas Company is extend
ing its mains through certain streets in the
westerly section of the city. at an estimated
cost of $4,000.
A harvest supper was given last evening
on the grounds surrounding Eldbrooke n.