Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-01

was appointed to take his place In the DIS
tr1ct service. The Commissioners decided
early In the closing month of the year that
Washington would not be represented by q
typical building in the model city exhibit
at the St. Louis exposition.
The first official celebration of Independ-
ence day in the District under the present
form Of government was held on July 4
last, and was decided success. The exer-
cises were held on the White Lot. In the
evening an elaborate display Of aerial fire.
works was made at the Washington monu-
ment. The money for the expense was pro-
vided by popular subscription
Work on a number OF large public i'm
provements was begun during the year.
The contract for the immense sewage
pumping station for the city was closed in
completed during December. The contract
for the new highway bridge across the Po-
tomac was let in September to the Pennsyl-
vania Steel Company and work was begun
on the same. The plans for the Connecti-
cut avenue bridge across Rock creek were
approved December 10. the foundations Of
this structure have been built and the
contract for the construction Of the bridge
will be let during the early part OF 1904.
Considerable progress has been made during
the year on the plans and specifications for
the new municipal building, to be erected
on the old power house site on d street
between 1911 and 18th streets. 1t is ex-
pected that work on the foundations OF the
district building wdM be commenced early
in 1904, and that the contract for the struc-
ture will be let during the summer
Post Office Investigation.
In January last Postmaster General
Payne learned of irregularities In the con-
duct of the business of his department,
and, after consultation with the President,
Mr.. Wynne, the first assistant postmaster
general. and ex-Representative Loud, then
chairman of the House committee on post
offices and post roads, directed Fourth As
sistant Postmaster General BristoW to
make a thorough investigation of the de-
partment. The investigation was imme-
diately taken up and continued through the
spring, summer and fall. A report present.
ed to the President by Mr.. Bristow was
made public ON the last day of November.
This report stated that wholesale corrup-
ton had been found to exist; that several
trusted bureau chiefs were guilty of gross
maladministration. AS a result of the in
vestigation indictments were returned by
the District grand jury and grand 5uries
in Indianapolis and Baltimore against four
teen employees of the Post Office Depart
ment and many citizens. Many more en-
ployes lost their positions on account Of
completely in the frauds that we're uncover
ed. The first trial of indicted officials, that
of Miller in Indiana, resulted In the &C.
quittal of the defendant; the second trial,
that of McGregor & Upton in Baltimore,
Other trials will be held in this city within
the next few months. The indicted off,
Gals have from one to fifteen counts
against them.
Public Land Frauds.
Secretary Hitchcock made a personal
investigation Of the affairs Of his de-
partment in Indian territory in May and
found evidences Of fraud. He ordered an
investigation and charges were filed by
so-called 'grafteres" against the mem
bers of the Dawes Indian commission.
Mr.. Charles j. Bonaparte of Baltimore was
selected to make an investigation of the
charges and report to the Secretary of the
Interior. The investigation was begun, but
was interrupted by the post office trials
Mr.. Bonaparte being one of the attorneys
for the government in these cases. 1t has
been developed, however, that in Indian ter
rttory thousands Of acres Of land have been
secured from Indians by fraudulent means
Frauds in the method Of fling on timber
lands in Oregon and Washington were I'M
covered by agents of the Interior Depart
ment, and resulted in the indictment and
arrest Of several prominent men on the Pa
cific coast.
Union Station.
The act providing for the elimination OF
grade crossings and the construction of a
new union passenger station was the most
important legislation of the year. The
Baltimore and Ohio and the Pennsylvania
railroads reached an agreement looking to
the construction of great Joint station
here and Congress gave approval. A good
big bonus is to be paid to the Pennsylvania
railroad for giving up its claim to a corner
of the mall at 9th and B streets northwest,
and sum is also to be paid the Baltimore
and Ohio to assist In the elimination Of
grade crossings. The station building,
which will be located at the Intersection of
Moe b,1aa TO Doll
east. will be monumental in character and
is to cost not less than 100000.
Work on the new union station project
was commenced early in the summer and
ing grade crossings and the construction of
the tunnel on the line Of Virginia avenue
between South Capitol street and 7th street
east is progressing rapidly. and the land
necessary for the terminal on the line of
Delaware avenue between Massachusetts,
avenue and Florida avenue has practically
all been acquired. The permit for the con-
struction Of the station building proper was
issued in November. and December 10 the
Commissioners approved the proposition to
build the station out Of Bethel white
granite.
Remains Of Gov. Shepherd.
The remains of Ex-Governor Alexander r.
Shepherd arrived in this city on the morning
of the 4th of May, having been brought d.
rect from Baptopilas. Mexico, where
death occurred while he was In the dis
charge of his duties in looking after the
large mining interests in that place. Mrs
Shepherd and other members of the family
accompanied the body to this city. AT the
depot representative citizens met the fu-
neral party and a procession was formed
consisting of the District Militia, Board of
Trade Business Mems Association, the Old
est habitants' Association, the former as
sociates of the deceased in the District gov
eminent, the District Commissioners and
the representatives of the different branches
OF the District government the fire depart
ment, and delegations from the various
citizens associations. AS an honorary event
on each side of the hearse marched men,
bers of the old National Rifles of 1861.
The line of march was up Pennsylvania
avenue to the New York Avenue Presbyter-
ian Church. where services were held af-
ter the body had lain in state. Rev. 8. s.
Mitchell Of Buffalo. N. Y. the pastor of the
church when Gov. Shepherd was an at
tendant. delivered tho funeral discourse.
The interment was in Rock Creek Gene
terry where q handsome mausoleum marks
the last resting place Of q man who per-
formed eminent public services for the Dis
trict.
Tho movement which was started to
erect in this city q suitable memorial to
Gov. Shepherd has made favorable pro-
gress Public subscriptions were received