Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-19
WOODEN SHEDS AND STABLES.
A Glass of Structures. That Need
Stricter Regulation

Nov that there seems to be a disnosi
ton to get rid of the old and unsfghtIy
structures in this city" remarked a GENTLE
man interested in the matter, 81 will in
vite attention of owners who are DESTROYS
OF Improvement to one class of structures.
and of the District officials who may have
this matter in charge, though L do not
know whether there is law which will
govern In this specific instance
Il refer TO the wooden sheds which are
built upon the rear portion of city lots, and
which usually abut the alleys. These
sheds and outhouses, of which there are
thousands In this city, are not seen as a.
rule except from our back windows In
many instances they are neglected, are de-
lapidated and sadly in need of repair. They
are usually filed with rubbish, Outlines the
accumulation of years. 1t is unquestionable
that a great many are insanitary and are
menace to the health of the neigglborhood
The ire records show that a great many
incipient fires have their origin in these
sheds. From my rear window the other
day l observed several carloads of filthy
rubbish taken from a single shed, and this
In good quarter Of town, too. The con-
oition In some sections can easily be left
to the imagination. I think that this class
OF owners and tenants should be severely
dealt with In the Police Court.
Another class of buildings which are
not seen from the street ana house fronts
Is the alley stable. Being interested in this
matter / made tour recently through a
number Of alleys In my neighborhood for
the express purpose of observing the con-
ditfon OF these nuisances. I confess my
surprise at the results. Although some of
the stables occupied by private parties
were in excellent condition others were the
opposite. I then visited downtown section
of the city where private conveyances are
not kept but where the alley stables are
used for all purposes, from night-liners to
business trucks. In a large percentage of
cases 1t is matter of regret that the au-
thority does not exist for the razings of
these nufsances to the ground forthwith.
In some cities, and / know it to be the
case In New York, the ordinances govern
Ing stables are very strict, and should
necessarily be so In thickly populated Sec
lions. The fact that there Is great deal
of interior open space in our squares is
perhaps In favor of the general health of
our city. but 1t in nowise affects the affirm
alive of the question that our alley stables
should be more carefully looked after than
at present.
Being Interested in the civic improve
ment movement l have found from prac-
teal experience that the only really effee-
tive manner of abating such nufsances as Il
refer to Is summons to and fine in the
Police Court One way to assist In this
movement Is to appeal or rather to mako
complaint to the police have ever found
the members of the department willing to
cooperate with us, and / trust that citi-
zens likewise Interested viii bear this fact
In mind. A complaint followed by a warm
Ing sometimes accomplishes the desired re-
suit. but 1t is the imposition of fine, even
though small, which really does the BUSH
ness In the end. I"