Evening star., 1903-12-18

this committee. The superintendent Of 20
lice recommends the purchase Of site and
erection of a suitable building at this point
which the increase in population and busi-
ness of the section seems to fully warrant.
During the year efforts have been made
to establish within the District of Columbia
certain so-called pool rooms and questiona-
BILE resorts for gambling purposes. The
commissioners took early and vigorous
steps to suppress these resorts, and have
very effectually done so. Their action is
not only highly to be commended by this
committee and the Board of Trade but by
our citizens generally
FOR several years our park policemen in
this city have been clothed while on duty,
In very unsightly green uniforms and their
unusual appearance has been the cause of
much facetious comment by strangers and
residents of this city. BY recent orders OF
Coionel Symons. superintendent of public
buildings and grounds these uniforms have
been changed to the regulation blue much
10 the relief OF those whose tastes have
peen onended by this very unusual and un-
slightly uniform.
Your committee recommends to the
Board of Trade that 1t give its hearty in
dorsement to any legitimate action looking
toward the establishment of a national bu-
| reau of criminal Identification which mat
Ter has been favorably reported by the ju-
I,cldry committee of the national House of
Representatives
Inc want OF adaptation to the purposes
vi courthouse and utter unsuitableness to
| accommodate those who weekly assemble
there, need only be mentioned to those who
have given the subject Of new Police
Court building any consideration. As IT is
wen known, the old building was formerly
church. and although the work of trans
formation was accepted It never rendered
the building suitable for the purpose in
| tended. Owing to its construction and lack
OF space, It's inconvenience in all particu-
| farS, and its crowded condition during the
busy hours of the day, II is almost impos-
| sible to get from room to the other
without the aid of a special policeman who
is provided for the purpose of making an
| opening through the crowd Ii Is doubtfu
| II such a building for the purpose for which
IL Is used would be tolerated in any other
city. No other Police Court is called upon
TO try United States cases. in which class
of cases many trials by Jury are demanded
The small rooms. bad ventilation and gem
eral crowded condition constitute a menace
20 the health OF those whom business con-
nneS within its precincts and also n positive
hindrance to business. The cells for the
accommodation of prisoners are also wholly
inadequate for the purpose. During the
year ending July l. 1903. about y eco per-
sons were tried in this court the fines and
forfeitures 2sgregating 500 1856. yielding a
net revenue to the United States treasury
OF S3o,Wo. This committee therefore very
earnestly recommends to the board that il
urge that active steps be immediat tely taken
| in the direction of procuring this much
needed building.
The Horseless Vehicles.
On May 4. 1903. the Commissioners order
ed that the police regulations of the Dis
trict be amended by adding a new article
governing the operation of all automobiles
locomobiles and motor vehicles The regu-
lations met with severe opposition by many
owners of these vehicles and the regula-
tions were finally taken to the Supreme
Court of the District to test their validity
| That court upheld the regulations and the
misSin IN
and they are now in successful and smooth
operation. The fight was a hotly contested
one on the part of the automobile people,
but 1t is generally conceded that the regu-
lations are fair to all interests concerned
and have conduced much to the safety Of
occupants of these vehicles and to pedes-
trians. The action Of the Commissioners in
this matter is to be heartily commended.
The Consular Service.
Mr.. John Joy Edison. delegate of the
Board of Trade to the National Civil Serv-
ice Reform League, which met in Baltimore
recently, reported briefly what had been
done on that occasion in reference to work
ing for the classification of the consular
service.
Mr.. Weller. speaking on the need OF re-
form in the consular service, said consuls
should be required to speak the language
of the country in which they are located
Mr.. Corcoran Thorn spoke of the great
commercial advantage that would be de-
trained
consular service.
Mr.. John ID. Croissant declared that the
great need for the improvement of the con-
sular service was to have the consuls prop
erly upheld by the home government in
their efforts to care for American citizens
abroad
Mr. b. F. Johnson offered resolution
indorSing the Associated Charities and the
Citizens Relief Association: also to favor
the delivery of public lectures on the i'm
provement of the housing conditions of the
alleys of the city and for the prevention Of
consumption. His resolution referred
to the committee on public health.
Secretary Harries, by request, extended
to the board an invitation to be present at
the First Congregational Church in this
city this (Friday) evening upon the occasion
of a lecture by Mr.. Irwin Smith of the De-
partment of Agriculture on the subject of
typhoid fever.
Mr.. Evans suggested that as good deal
had been said about reform in the civil
service the board might with advantage
discuss the subject of civil service reform
for the government of the District of Co.
lumbia.
President Cox announced that he pro-
posed to appoint a special committee on
civil service in the District of Columbia of
which he made Mr.. Evans chairman. He
will announce the other members of the
committee later
Mr.. Evans also offered a resolution favor
ing legislation allowing the paving of
streets now paved with Belgian blocks or
granite with asphalt the last appropria ton
Dill prONlulnS Inat streets be not paved.
This resolution was referred to the COM
Inittee on streets and avenues.
The board then adjourned to the BANQUET
hall, where a luncheon was served.
The Members Present.
Members of the board present at the
meeting last evening follow:
NJ |. Weller. Dr. A. p Pardon, William
V. Cox. Gen. Geo. Fl. Harries, VIM. G. Hen
derson, VIM. NJ. Shuster. w Mosby Will
Jams, Henry w Samson. \. NJ. Read. c. T..
Kern. DR. Thos. w. Sidwell S. W. Curri-
den. Theodore w. Noyes. S. Herbert Gesy,
W. S. Chase Ralph p Barnard. Corbin
Thompson F. c. Warman, Corcoran Thorn,
Thos. w. Smith. Court +. Wood Gen John
NJ Wilson. Guy II. Johnson. Robert Cook.
w. ]. McNalley. E. o. Whitford, Oscar ".
White. Dr. ID. Percy Hickling, A. h. Doug
las. A T. Stuart. Frank l.. Attwell. ID. S.
CARL. Odell S. Smith. Smith Thompson. Jas.
T Petty. w. J. Frizzell. Henry p. Blair,
John Miller. j. d. Croissant, Harry L.
Rust, Howard Fisk, Edward T. Bates DIR.
r A. Bates w. p Van Wickle, B. F. John
son, Frank II. Jackson, DIR. w. S. Lotion,
Judge c. S. Bundy. j. S. Swormstedt. Robt.
N Harper Geo. w. Evans, Robt l.. Stone,
~ Inl,