Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-05
HIS ANNUAL REPORT
HARBORMASTER'S ESTIMATES
AND REPRESENTATIONS.
Suggests That Vessels Garry White
Lights From Sunset to Sun
rise-Money Needed.

In his annual report, which has just been
submitted to the Commissioners. Harbor-
master J. r. Sutton recommends that all
vessels whether large or small, navigating
the waters of the Potomac or elsewhere In
the District be required to display bright
white lights from sunset to sunrise. The
necessity of some such requirement, 1t Ia
believed, has been made more urgent by
reason of the recent accident which oc-
CURED in the Washington channel. in which
one life was lost.
In commenting on this matter Harbor-
master Sutton says:
"A source of much complaint from yes
sells arriving at and leaving the harbor Is
the lack of a display of lights by small
craft on the river. With the increase In
number Of these vessels the liability to &C
cident unless proper lights are carried has
also increased, and to remedy this matter
I recommend that an effort be made to Sc
cure the enactment Of the following regu-
lations:
"'AIl boats under ten tons. whether under
way or anchored in any portion of the
waters of the District Of Columbia, shall
be required to display from sunset to sun
rise a bright white light. visible all around
the horizon.
".All sand scows, barges or other vessels
while lying at anchor in any portion of
the navigable waters of the District of Co
lumbia shall be required to display from
sunset to sunrise a bright white light.
visible all around the horizon.
The Penalty Prescribed.
".Any person or persons failing to COM
ply with any of the provisions of this, act
shall be deemed guilty Of a misdemeanor.
and on conviction thereof in the Police
Court Of the District Of Columbia shall be
punished by fine not exceeding 800 or by
Imprisonment not exceeding six months. or
by both such punishments, in the discretion
Of the court
THE enactment Of this legislation" says
Mr.. Sutton. will not only relieve shipping
Of much trouble, but will tend to prevent
the use of these small vessels for unlawful
purposes such as theft and violation of the
game and fish laws
Mr.. Sutton mentions that there has been
greater activity with respect to the work OF
his department the past year than ever be-
fore. This. he says, Is due. in part, to the
extension by Congress OF the laws ana
regulations for the government OF the liar-
Dor and river front. and In part to the
growth Of the District and to the increased
number Of vessels entering and leaving the
harbor. Especial attention has been given
to the enforcement OF the laws asainse
gambling and OF the fish and game laws
Many reports of violations Of the latter
have been brought to the attention of the
department during the year. and In every
case. 1t Is stated. the most thorough in
yestigation has been made. This service
alone has necessitated much work and
many hours of extra labor on the part OF
the harbormaster and his force.
An Emergency Appropriation.
The harbormaster renews his recommen-
dation of former years that an annual APP
preparation of 5000 be secured to be used
as an emergency appropriation for clea ring
the Potomac river of ice when necessary
to psevent flood. Reference is made to
the greatly increased number of vessels ar
irving at anchorage in the Washington har-
Dor. This has been especially the case with
pleasure yachts Of all descriptions, and
their presence has added largely to the du-
ties OF the department. 1t being necessary
to see that they are kept within suitable