Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-02

ments. notably the new municipal building
and the proposed new Police Court struc-
ture.
The investigation of charges of malad-
ministratfon and blackmail against Super
intendent Warner Stutler of the street
cleaning department began in July and
was concluded in November. The decision
of the Commissioners in the case was an
nounced last Tuesday, in which the Com
missioners found Mr.. Stuuer. not guilty of
the charges. but requested his resignation,
holding that from his own testimony they
believed 1t was for the best interests of the
District service that a change be made in
the position. Mr.. Stutler resigned the po-
sition last Thursday, and in doing so made
statement charging high District OFF,
cial. not mentioned by name, with improper
motives in seeking his removal. An inves-
tigation Of certain branches of the District
government may follow as result of the
Stutler investigation.
The report of the committee appointed to
examine into the business methods en-
ployed in the District service was made
public the I'd of December. The committee
found no glaring faults with the methods
used in the various branches of the District
service, but made large number of recon-
mendations for minor changes in the differ
ent offices.
during the last two months over the pro-
posed amendment to the existing smoke
law and as to the method of the enforce
ment of the present law. The amendment
proposed limit of three minutes for the
emission of dense black smoke from stacks
on business and other establishments in the
District, the present law specifying no limit
OF time Upon the various points at issue
the Commissioners failed to agree, and the
subject was largely discussed by the Off
Gals and citizens as well. The final report
on the bill has not yet been made.
The Court of Appeals, in decision rem
Anola roI fhn 1o
ing citizens to remove snow and ice from
the sidewalks to be unconstitutional hold
ing that 1t is the duty of the municipality
to keep the sidewalks in a safe condition
for the public. As result of this decision
the streets and sidewalks of the city, after
the snow storms of the present winter have
been in decidedly bad condition, and eff
forts are being made to find some remedy
for the conditions.
The work on the new municipal building
project has progressed materially during
the year. The work on the foundations was
begun June II, and this feature of the work
VIII probably be completed within about
two months. Bids on stone to be used in
the building were secured, and it was found
that the total cost of the building will have
to be increased from 100000 to 81. 500 600
in order that the commission may build a
substantial and monumental structure Con-
gress has been asked to authorize the in
crease of 100000 at the present session.
Additional ground to be used as a site for
d
9Th and d streets was purchased by the
District, and local architects have been
asked to submit designs for building to
cost not more than $72 600 Practically all
the land needed for the plaza in front of
the new union station has been acquired by
the District, and the owners of land abut-
ting on the plaza have agreed to the pro-
posed legislation now before Congress to
limit the height of buildings about the plaza
10 eighty feet. The eastern boundary sewer
ana the hltration plant have been almost
completed and will be in operation by the
middle of the year 1905 and the work on
the sewerage disposal project has pro-
crossed satisfactorily to the authorities
A strong effort has been made during
the year to secure the construction of serv-
Ice sewers for the suburbs and the Com
missioners have asked the present Con-
sress to appropriate $4,000 for this work
during the next fiscal year. Strong efforts
nave also been made during the year to
secure legislation regulating the mainte-
nance of insanitary dwellings, to provide
public Fairgrounds and to secure suitable
laws governing delinquent and dependent
children.
a notable event in the past years his
tory of the District of Columbia was the
celebration of National Capital day at the
ST. Louis exposition. The three District
commissioners, together with a number of
other District officials and citizens attend
ed the ceremonies in celebration of the day
and the event was regarded as one of the
most successful celebrations of the entire
exposition.
Trouble occurred at the girls reform
school in November owing to the objec-
ton of the inmates to the rule of discipline
adopted by the immediate authorities of
the institution, and an investigation of the
matter is being conducted by the board of
charities. The District officials and ;ne
members of the Fish and Game Protective
Association started a movement looking
toward the prevention of the pollution Of
the waters of the Potomac river, from
which the city is supplied with drinking
water. The investigation of this subject
is now being conducted by the officials of
the geological survey.
In February the decision of the trustees
of the Rhodes will was announced to the
effect that the District would not be allow
ed to share in the distribution of scholar
ships offered to the states and territories,
under the will OF the late Cecil Rhodes
Hearings have been held in Congress rel
into the District of the Great Falls and Old
Dominion railroad The bill has met with
great opposition and action on the measure
| is still pending. The 11th street electric
car line was extended during the summer
from its former terminus at Florida ave-
rue TO Lydecker avenue much to the graft
fication of the residents of Mt. Pleasant and
Columbia Heights. The Commissioners put
into effect in October the changes In the
nomenclature of streets in the second Sec
ton, following their plan of arranging
the names of streets according to an all
phabetical system. All the land necessary
for the widening of Biadensburg road was
donated to the District during the year.
| taken. At the last session of Congress
| led n Ira Qsf