Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-25
MILITARY TAKE LEAVE.
Police Department Assumes Control at
Baltimore-Clash Over Streets.
Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.

0olt11uOIS-S1dSu OVST SCTSSLS.
Special Dispatch to The Evening Star
BALTIMORE, February 25-The military
occupation of the city is at an end the
police department having again assumed
the task of safeguarding the ruins yes
terday. The withdrawal of the militia
men came after an inspection of the burn
ed area had been made by Gen. Lawrason
Riggs and Building Inspector Preston, both
of whom agreed that there was no further
need of keeping the men on duty A com
munication to this effect was sent last
evening to President Upshur of the board
of police commissioners, and short while
afterward an answer was received by Gen
Riggs. Ill which the board extended thanks
to the officers and men of the several regt-
ments for the splendid service rendered
during the past fortnight.
Clash With City officials.
Contrary to expectations a locking of
horns between the city officials and the
citizens. emergency committee has come to
pass. The former assert that the expense
necessary to widen Baltimore streets is too
great, while the latter insist that the i'm
provement is an imperative necessity, as
this thoroughfare is the great artery of
trade traffic. They point to the fact that
in the past the blocking of traffic on Balti-
more street was an hourly occurrence and
that great loss of time resulted to the BUSH
ness interests.
on this subject today said to The Star cor
respondent: Certain city officials have got
ten together and have hesitated over the
question of widening Baltimore street I'M
der the plea that it will cost too much
Every business man in Baltimore knows
that the improvement is needed and by OPP
posing the plan these city officials are put
ting block in the pathway of the city's
NV ..xtAr
OF every citizen in Baltimore. Widening
Baltimore street now may cost few dol
lars, but the failure to do so may cost mil
lions again in the future.
False Economy.
This same policy, which some have been
pleased to call economy prevented the city
from having an adequate fire department,
with the result that while few dollars
We're saved annually, it cost tie business IN
terest of the city millions in the end
The broad-gauge men of Baltimore, COM
posing the emergency committee, have put
themselves on record as in favor of widen
ing Baltimore street, and do a few city Of
fcials propose to declare their Judgment
superior to that of these business men who
are in a position TO understand the city's
needs?"
This condition Of affairs will result in still
further delaying the resumption of build
ing operations. AS heretofore stated in
prominent business men are ready to begin
the construction of new buildings, and the
slow progress being made by the mayor
and other officials in reaching conclusions
as to some definite plans is causing much
unfavorable comment and not few express
sions of indignation.
Complain of Slow Progress.
For instance. the directors of the cham
Der of commerce ten days ago had plans all
ready for the erection of new building to
cost SCGO coo on the site of the destroyed
structure and an application to begin work
has been filed since February II. AT present
the chamber is located in Masonic Temple.
The stock exchange directors too, are
ready to begin construction work on a
handsome five-story building as soon as the
necessary permit can be obtained
Gen Felix Agnus. publisher or the Baitl-
more American. is ready TO proceed Win
work on new home for his paper. II VIII,
when completed be one of the handsomest
structures in the city 1t will be construct
ed of granite and will be eight stories IN
height. And so with hundreds of other
business enterprises.
7 F. O. Pridmore, the weil-known arch-
tect. has suggested to Mayor McLane that
an ''order of merit" system be adopted UNI
der which each year q prize ne a"ardeo "
the owner and architect of the most mefi-
toriouS structure erected CURING Inc pre-
ceding twelve months
Suggests Prizes.
sThe prize" said Mr.. Pridmore, might
take the form of duplicate gold medals
with perhaps a cash prize to the architect
and a remission of taxes for one year to
the owner The award should be made by
a jury of experts to be appointed by the
mayor.
.'While the award should be made pri-
marily on the merits of the exterior design,
this should be counted of no avail unless
the building exhibited merit in all its parts
that is well-studied and practical ground
plan safe and thorough construction AMI
compliance with all building regulations for
lighting ventilation and sanitation.
s'Only one result would follow the intro
duction of the order of merit system. The
experiment has been tried with success In
Paris, and while there will be nothing COM
pulsory about it. a large proportion of own
ers and architects will build better in
friendly strife for the honor and prestige
attached to the award, and Baltimore has
now the opportunity to be immensely bene-
fitted thereby. in a measure beyond any
other large city in the world.