Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-20
Advanced by the Sealer of
Weights and Measures.
CLEANING THE STREETS
ABOUT THE VARIOUS MARKET
HOUSES.
District Has Been Doing It at q
Profit and Congress is Asked
to Appropriate.

Whole cost and half cost-those two
much-mooted questions in connection with
the maintenance of the various departments
of the District government--have cropped
UP again In a somewhat unexpected way,
and what will be the outcome cannot even
be predicted until Congress comes to con-
slider District matters during the next ses-
sion. 1t seems that the present phase of
the problem Is a direct outgrowth of a re-
cent reform inaugurated by Sealer OF
Weights and Measures Haskell, acting I'M
der direction of Commissioner Macfarland
the one cogent outcome of which has been
an addition to the District revenues of more
than 5000 annually. Out of this the Dis
trict now pays approximately s3.140 for
labor. and, to use homely expression, the
meat of the cocoanut. as contained in the
annual estimates of the sealer of weights
and measures submitted to the Commission
ers yesterday, Is the recommendation that
Congress be asked to appropriate $40 for
the conduct of what Is practically a new
but paying enterprise. Obviously, II this
recommendation comes in for favorable con-
sideration by the appropriations commit
tee and by Congress, the District will in
one more item of its business affairs be
paying half the cost, instead of the whole
cost.
On the face of II, the estimate sheet sub
United yesterday by the sealer of weights
ana measures would seem to indicate the
necessity OF an additional expenditure of
ABOUT S3l4o In the fiscal year of 1907 more
than Is allowed by the present appropria-
ton of Congress. Study of the paper how
ever, shows that the District is now bearing
the whole cost-and that the proposition
mace TO nave congressional appropriation
OF that amount would have the effect of
increasing the Districts revenues by ex-
actly $3.50.
Farmers Line Mt Market
The real beginning of the matter lies far
back In the campaign undertaken by the
District to maintain its right to regulate
affairs along what is known as the farm
ers' line at the various city markets. For
many months hucksters and other dealers
stroVe to force their way into the farmers
line, and these cases were Tough through
ell the courts before the local government
hnaily gained the victory. and with 1t the
right TO specify just what should be the
character Of business conducted on the
public space contiguous to the markets.
During all the time this battle continued
however. there was one clause in the reg
ulations which was strictly enforced-that
rule being the one which makes 1t com
pulsory that the farmers must leave
clean street behind them when their bust
ness each day Is ended. Realizing the
dlmculty each farmer would encounter in
leaving clean path behind him, and the
numerous petty mtsunderstandngs posi-
Die should some of the more INSCRIPTIONS
countrymen dump their own refuse on a
EelghboTs space, two hustling individuals
entered into G. contract with all the farm
ers to clean the whole street at the end
OF each market day. This business flour
ished amazingly. and 1t became known to
the authorities that the private street
cleaning contract was netting the orixi-
majors handsome profit
Soon after the settlement of the court
proceedings. when the District again had
iccin
turned the government of the whole over
TO the sealer of weights and measures
with instructions to look into the matter
or cleaning the streets for the farmers ana
learn the schedule of cost to the farmers
the approximate expense of the opera zion
to the existing holders of the contract
and finally whether 1t would not be feast
Bile for the District to undertake. tho worE
and retain the profits.
ABOUT year ago, the sealer OF weights
ana measures having found way the
business was taken over by the city govern
ment-and 1t has since then been Continued
with the farmers paying to the citv the
same rates as they did to the former con-
tractors.
The report Of the present state of the
enterprise. submitted by Mr. Haskell in
connection with his estimates for an appro-
priation. show that there will be accumu-
lated TO the credit of this business fund
of approximately 5000, which is really
surplus ea:ned by the District as con-
tractor. The 5000 under deposit is in what
is known as the miscellaneous trust fund
deposits D. c." and 1t cannot be used for
any purpose. Mr.. Haskell estimates that
next year the income from this source will
be about $3.50. all of which must, under
conditions now obtaining, go into the same
fund, the only warrants which can be
drawn against the income and the balance
being those for actually conducting the en-
terprise.
Proposition Now Advanced.
The proposition now advanced by Mr..
Haskell is to have the surplus of 5000 and
all the income turned over to the general
District account. and, as previously stated,
to ask Congress to appropriate a sufficient
amount to maintain this new depa rtment in
the same manner that other appropriations
are now made.
The appropriation, If 1t is made, will pro-
VIDE for the following: One market master.
$500; labor at street market adjacent to
Eastern Market. $40; labor at street mar
ket adjacent to Western Market, $40;
Wholesale Produce Misunderstanding refuse,
$500; sweeping b street. sidewalks, etc,
1920: one Waterman, twelve months, S54o:
one Waterman, eight months, SEQ: total,
1910.
DEATH OF CHARLES HOLLIS.