Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-06

livery man under the old system,
l Inc contract rate for machine sweeping
y, IN iy0S was IL cents per 1000 square yards
an June OF that year q new three-year COM
tract Tor cleaning paved streets and ave-
n nue py machine sweeping or flushing. the
100000 square yards per annuna, was ems
| yards 10 A'S'~ 'sN"
.,l During 1904 there was cleaned by ma.
chine 2de.s25. 500 square yards of paved
sueeus, as against 232. $50, 72S square yards
snv previous year, an increase Of 81 $50 OS1
ssnr g, YARDS. due to the transfer OF por-
| ~, VI the hano-cleaning area to machine
| sweeping last May. The cost OF this class
| OF work during the past year was S45 3Sl 26
81 against A1. S29.62 in 1908 an increase OF
t',ooi -o4. que to the grerter area cleaned.
| Dy means or hose attached to the fire
MIGRANTS about 60,OOO square yards per
| nlsht OF paved streets were flushed during
tnree months In the summer Of 1903 Owing
" Ihe low water pressure, however the ex-
| pertinent was not entirely a success. In
June OF the present year an eight-hour test
VI nushing wagon was made, but the rep
resentative OF the manufacturing company
claimed that the pressure AT the ara piurs
was insufficient for his machines to do
proper work, ~
Sin Since the close Of the fiscal year the SUI
Perintenoent or the STRENGTHENING depart.
ment has been under Investigation upon
charges preferred by a former CONTRACTORS.
Inc commissioners have the case under ad.
visement.
1iectr1cal Department.
An important improvement of conditions
has resulted from the good work of this de.
partment during the past year. The neces.
sary legislation for the better regulation of
eiectric wiring and apparatus I'm buildings.
IN order to diminish the danger to life and
p na was procured and put into effect;
ana the inspectors of theaters were IN.
creased In number and thorouehness The
zen OF poles and overhead wires from
me streets was carried on steadily, and
there was large increase in the quantity
and quality Of the public lighting.
On April "a, 1904. Congress passed an act
long desired by the Commissioners, giving
tnem authority to make rules and reRulas
tons governing electric wiring and anna.
ratus In buildings. Two additional inspect.
ors were also authorized to assist In the
work. A full set OF rules and regulations
were adopted, modelled upon those OF the
national board Of FIRE underwriters. Under
the authority OF this act the Commissioners
any electrical wiring Installation which 10
oedective. penalties being prescribed for
failure to repair defective wiring after due
notlce has been given. Since the new regu.
laeions went into effect, on September l.
i9o4. a number Of old wiring installations
nave been remodeled and put in good condi.
ton and over 800 new installations have
been made. All new wiring is now inspecfed
to see that 1t is in accordance with the new
partment
Inc net increase In street lamps was az
Gas. 1870; naphtha. 4: incandescent electric
III; electric arc, %; street-designatiori
lamps, 4S. Total. 391. Total number Of
lamps OF all kinds In service July 1. 1904.
Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Com.
pany reports the removal OF 80 poles and
oo2 90 miles OF wire from the area men,
TONED in act approved June 20 1902 and
the erection of 431193 miles. net decrease
OF 221333 miles,
The electrical department has taken down
50 poles and 90 miles of wire In all parts
of the District
This department placed underground the
wires connecting As fire alarm boxes 81
patrol boxes. school houses engine
houses police stations. United States
Government buildings, and private build.
ings. 1t drew into conduits liz miles of
cable. containing 7S3.O1 miles of wire and
built 2.53 miles Of conduit and 30 manholes.
The amount of underground construction
for the past year exceeds that done in
all the four previous years.
F1fteen fre alarm boxes were erected
on the streets. on the stages OF theaters,
and 20 In private and Government build
ings.
Twenty-seyen miscel' aneous telephones
We're installed, connected to the District sys-
tenn, besides AZ additional ones In the va
rious public schools. Five trunk lines were
added. on account of the great increase in
the number of calls.
Sixteen patrol boxes were added to the
system and all the defective circuits re-
WlreQ ana placed In good condition.
All theaterS were regularly inspected each
week for defective apparatus brought in
by the travelling companies. Besides this,
the permanent wiring in each theater was
carefully examined and numerous changes
were made by the managers to render II
safe.
One hundred and forty-three other places
were examined for defective wiring and
many improvements made therein.
Inspection Of Gas and Meters.
r1n fnrn 90
that during the last fiscal year 7s9 official
photoWetric tests were made OF the gas
supplied by the Washington Gaslight COM
pany. giving a mean illur mating power OF
q. 66 standard candlepower. which is 0.66
Of one candle above the legal requirement,
and 300 photometric tests were made Of
the gas supplied by the Georgetown Cas-
light Company, giving a mean Illuminating
value of 22I4 standard candles.
Daily tests were also made for impurities
in the gas supplied by both companies.
During the year this Office tested 5,449
gas meters on request OF the two gas com.
panies and consumers of gas In the Dis
trict of Columbia.
The fees received for testing these meters
amounted to $2,420. which sum was deposit.
ed with the collector of taxes.
In compliance with Commissioners order
No. 241S07, dated September %. 1903, an
employee of this office, since that date, has
accompanied the representative of the gas
company when taking monthly statements
of the gas meters in buildings occupied by
the District government, and the meter
statements have been recorded by each
separately. Beginning with November,
1903. the District gas bills have received tho
certification of this office.
The Police Department.
The police department of the District OF
Columbia continues to occupy deservedly
high rank among similar organizations
throughout the country. Its efficiency is
attested by the general good order of the
District and the absence of graver crimes.
Its organization and discipline are OF high
standard and 1t merits the most favorable
consideration Of Congress. The major and
superintendent. Richard Sylvester. has for
four successive years been chosen as the
presiding officer of the international police
organization a fact which testifies to his
ability and to an appreciation OF the
methods which prevail in the conduct Of his
department.
The Commissioners regret. however, their
inability to bring the force up to the nu-
merical strength allowed by law, VIZ, CSC
officers and subordinates. The average
number Of vacancies during the year was
90 due to the fact that the salary of $40
per month paid to privates of the first class