Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-16
TEMPORARY QUARTERS
FOR THE POLICE COURTS OF FIF-
TENTH STREET.
Will Be Ready for Occupancy in About
Three Weeks, It u
-
Thought alx

Within three weeks. II is now eSufnateus
the Police Courts and the accompanying
offices Will be able to move into the tenn
porary quarters on 18th street. which they
Will occupy during the tearing down OF
the old building and the erection OF new
building which will provide ample room
for the Police Court business. For some
weeks past there has been much inquiry
and discussion among police officers. and
especially among the officials OF the police
courts to when the present quarters
would be vacated. 1t has depended on tho
time when the temporary quarters would
be ready for occupancy: and that seems
now to be within three weeks. Some have
placed the time much nearer; but judging
from the past work in the building three
weeks seems TO be more conservative
estimate.
were looking around for suitable build
Ing In which the machinery of the police
courts might be set up and operated for
about two years. many places were con-
sidered. But conditions imposed on them
by the Commissioners and by Congress
limited their choice. The building could
not be largo one. owing 10 the small
rent which had been appropriated So 900.
Furthermore, no provision was made for
repairs in the temporary quarters. Thus
some building that was naturally adapted
to the use OF the police courts and their
officials was necessarily chosen. The old
building on 18th street. formerly used by
the bureau of statistics, seemed the most
adaptable and It was decided on. The
preparation of the building for the use to
which it is to be put was begun soon
after II was decided upon, or about June /.
Repairs to Be Made.
OF course, there was much to be done
In the line of repairs. An agreement was
made with the owner to pay 81 800 In rent.
while the other 81 .20o Of the appropriation
tn ha I'm ir,nr
ments. The first work to be done was
that Of the carpenters. in putting partitions
where they were needed and in Joining
where large rooms were needed.
Also they had to construct cells for the
prisoners. on two floors, In connection with
the two branches of the Police Court.
That work was completed some time ago.
Then came the work of the plumber. In
making the building sanitary for the use
Of the many people who have occasion to
use it when 1t will be the Police Court
building. That work has dragged along
for several weeks, but has now neared
completion. There Is still the public toilet
room to be installed in the basement. which
will take some days for several men work
ing together. There Is also some other
little work to be finished.
Another important feature OF the repairs.
which has not yet been started. is In con-
nection with the caves and water spouts.
which are to carry off the water from the
roof In time of rain. AS the conditions are
at present the water that pours onto the
roof In the time of rain runs into the
cellar in large quantities. This makes a
pool Of water in the cellar much OF the
time and an insanitary dampness there
all the time. Both Judge kimball and
Judge Scott. who have discussed this condi-
ton, have denounced 1t in strong terms
and they have officially stated that they
will not allow the building to be used for
court purposes until that condition is
remedied, This Is still to be attended to
by tinsmiths.
Further than this none OF the court room.
office and other fixtures Of the new build
ing are in place as yet. Owing to the
small appropriation 1t will be necessary 10
employ those already in use at the present
| building. OF course. they will necessarily
| be altered to meet the smaller space az
lowed by the temporary quarters, but they
can be used all right The judges bench,
| the dock for the prisoners. the jury seats.
the rail for the officers and members Of
the bar and other incdentals must be put
In place before the removal can be COM
plete.
Additional Appropriation Nesdsi
1t is thought likely that an additional
appropriation of about $1,000 will be needed
in order to complete the repairs and to
put the proper heating apparatus In the
building. There remains about 500 I'M
expended. which was voted by Congress
for repairs to the present building, but
through some technical obstruction this
1iioiies SaiIiol pe USED without reappro-
prlation. To that there will have to he
added about $500. according to the esti-
mates made by those overseeing the work
That would put the building in as good
condition 1t can be made for the use
Of the police courts.
AS soon as the removal from the present
building is accomplished 1t Is expected that
the tearing down will commence. The let
ting of the contract for the new building
Is expected to be an accomplished fact
WITHIN short time now, unless something
unforeseen comes up. and as It is to be
hnished within eighteen months the work
VIII necessarily proceed rapidly. The pro-
sress Will be watched with much interest
and Its completion Will be awaited with
much eagerness by all those connected with
the Police Court in both branches