Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-01

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Of real property and the board Of personal
tax appeals, the assessor designating two
OF said board to act az personal tax APP
praisers and three to act as assessors Of
real property and excise board.
The department Of insurance Of the Dis
trict OF Columbia was created by act Of
Congress March 8, 1901. to become operative
January 1, 1902.
1t is estimated that the revenue arising
from the insurance department will amount
to over $4,000 the first year, and that 1t
will probably show an annual increase
thereafter.
The Metropolitan Railway Company was
authorized by Congress to extend Its line
from 18th street and Columbia road east ON
Columbia road to old 18th street, thence
north on old 18th street to Park street, the
work to be done in connection with the
widening of Columbia road and old 18th
street. This work has been commenced.
Some Of the construction material has been
delivered upon the ground, and 1t Is expect
ed that the extension will be completed
within few months.
Another extension authorized was that
of the Anacostia and Potomac River Rail-
way Company on 18th street from Florida
avenue to Lydecker avenue. The act pro-
vides that this extension shall be made
within two years after a permit therefor
Is issued by the Commissioners. The Com
missioners are ready to issue the permit
whenever satisfactory plans are filed, but
80 far none have been presented
The line to Laurel, Md. via Hyattsville
and Berwyn. was opened during the fall
and cars are now running through.
In the water department and under the
head Of the water supply, generally speak
ing, much was accomplished during the
past year. The new washington city
Howard University reservoir was opened
and the Hoxie tunnel put into service. In
creased water pressures were thus secured
In Nft
needed. Work on the magnificent Trumbull
street pumping station, which is to supplant
the U street station for all high pressure
service, progressed rapidly.
The Public Library.
The past year has been one Of prepare
tion on the part Of the trustees and officials
of the public library. Arrangements Tor
the opening OF the beautiful new building
in Mount Vernon Square, the gift Of Mr..
Andrew Carnegie, have been in progress for
some time and will reach a contamination
the 7th Of January. At that time Mr.. Car
negie will be IN the city and will deliver an
address at the opening exercises. The open
ing was originally planned for December
10, but was postponed on account Of some
doubt as to the time Of Mr. Carnegie's ar
rival in this country. Commissioner Mac
farland, chairman OF the commission IN
charge Of the construction Of the new build
ing, will make brief address and turn the
structure formally over to Mr.. Theodore w
Noyes, president of the board Of trustees
Invitations have been issued to distinguish
ed men and prominent public officials and
educators, and the gathering promises to
be in every way representative one.
During the year the library building COM
mission. consisting OF the Commissioners Of
the District of Columbia; the officer in
charge Of public buildings and grounds and
the president OF the board of trustees of
the Washington Public Library, completed
the work Of erecting the building with the
$35O,00O donated for the purpose by Mr..
Carnegie. The building Is not only OF nlie
architectural appearance. but Is, IN every
respect, model library and reflects credit
upon those who have unselfishly devoted
much time to the immediate supervision Of
its erection. AS constructed the building
is provided with complete steam warming
apparatus, with mechanical ventilation by
which fresh outdoor air is properly tenn
pered and furnished to all parts OF the
building. The illumination will be electric.
The present capacity Of the library is
2OO, 600 volumes, but there Is ample room
for additional shelving which will bring the
total capacity Of the building to 3O0,OdC
volumes. In the reading and study rooms
from 400 to 800 adults and from 100 to SOC
children may be accommodated with chairs
at the reading tables at one time, leaving
q large hall on the second floor as lecture
room, which Is provided with 400 assembly
chairs and a suitable platform.
ering the effect upon the building Of APP
proaches and environment, designed plan
of treatment of Mount Vernon Square
adapted to the architectural character and
practical purposes OF the structure while
preserving the character Of the reservation
as public park. The cost OF carrying out
this plan OF grading, paving, curbing and
general establishment Of the surrounding
ground and approaches Of the library was
estimated at $4,000: Congress at the last
session appropriated 10000 for this pur-
pose as an item in the Improvement and
care Of the parks Of the city, and the re-
naming $4,000 has been asked.
The Commissioners Of the District, so far
as available funds permit, are cooperating
in the Improvement of the approaches to
the building. Upon the south side of Mount
Vernon Square the street car tracks ap-
proach very close to the curb. The Com
point SO there will be access to the library
entrance for carriages north of the tracks
and are laying new sidewalk along the
south side Of the SQUARE
The sum Of $4,000 was appropriated by
the urgent deficiency bill at the last session
of Congress for the purchase of books for
the library. This money has been and is
being expended as rapidly as Is consistent
available books, and these volumes have
been and are being catalogued.
Scarcity Of Coal.
The great strike of the miners In the
anthracite coal regions Of Pennsylvania,
which was inaugurated May IL. did not ap-
peal to Westinghouse in the beginning.
as it came at time of the year when fur
naces were shut down for the season.
Those who gave the matter any attention
were Of the belief that one or the other
side would soon weaken; in any event, DIFF
ferences would be settled by arbitration be-
fore cold weather.
When frosts heralded the near approach
Of winter and people found their coal bins
empty and no coal being mined, there was
an awakening Of interest. President Roose-
velts good offices In behalf Of an amicable
settlement received the plaudits of every
one.
On the resumption of work in the anthra-
cite mines, following the appointment of
the strike commission, 1t was believed there
would be little occasion for further anxiety.
No coal was brought to Washington from
about June 1 until work was resumed In
the mines. The local dealers, with perhaps
a few exceptions, had no reserve.
Even after the resumption of work In the
mines the amount Of coal shipped to Wash
ington was OF little consequence. So serious
became the situation that the Commission
ers Of the District Of Columbia appointed a
committee of ten prominent business men,
divided equally between the Board Of Trade
and the Business Mems Association, to in
vestigate the cause Of the coal famine.