Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-01
M UNICIPAL AFFAIRS
EVENTS OF THE YEAR IN DIS
TRICT GOVERNMENT.

In District affairs the notable events In
Guided: The decision of the President to
permit Maj. John Biddle to serve as En-
gineer Commissioner until the compile
ton of public improvements under his
charge: the denomination by the Presi-
dent of Commissioner Henry L. West to
serve second term; the filing of charges
against Mr.. West by the former superin-
tendent of street cleaning, Warner Slut
Ter, and the final supplemental report of
the committee appointed in August. 1903
to examine into the bushes methods en-
p1oyed in the District government. OF
public improvements probably the most
notable events We're the completion of
the new filtration plant, the completion
of the last arch of the new Connecticut
avenue bridge and the practical compile
tion of the new highway bridge across
the Potomac to replace the old Long
bridge. Work on the new municipal build
ing, which was begun on June II, 1904,
has been progressing rapidly, and much
of the structural work has now been
raised to the second-foor level The work
on the new sewerage pumping station has
also been pressed forward with few de-
lays. and contractors We're recently au-
thoriZed to go upon disputed land to con-
struct the final sections OF the great con-
duit. which will lead to the outlet near
Shepherds Point III the Potomac. The
new Police Court building, which is to
cost approximately $1,000, is also well
under way.
In the personnel of the District service
one OF the most important changes was
the assumption of the office of superin-
fendent or the STRENGTHENING department
by Harrison Stidham and his subsequent
resignation few days ago. When he re
tires from Office on January 10 Mr.. Std
ham will have been exactly one year to
the day in the service of the District. On
September "a NJ. G. Hargrove was ap
pointed property clerk of the District to
succeed Maj. r. ID. Simms, who resigned
10 become treasurer of the Capital TraC-
ton Company. While on a trip to Europe
for the benefit OF his health Andrew B.
DuYall. corporation counsel of the Dis
trict, succumbed to heart disease on ship
board, and +. H Thomas, the assistant
corporation counsel, was appointed chief
of the department. Henry +. Blair be
came the assistant corporation counsel.
William +. Richards, assistant engineer
in charge of street extensions, was pro-
NOTED TO be surveyor of the District sue
ceeding the late Maj. Henry b. LOCKER.
An interesting occurrence during the
early part of the year was the census OF
the District undertaken blythe police de-
partment This count showed that at the
time of its completion, in April, the Dis
trict held, all told, 322,445 persons, a
greater number than had been estimated
by any OF the authorities.
Near the end of the liquor license year
on November a spirited controversy over
1t seemed that the tin can and pitcher brt-
gade would be squelched. Another impor-
tani fight over a phase of the liquor ques-
ton was made by residents OF Silver Spring
and other adjoining Maryland suburbs
against the establishment OF a saloon at
the transfer station at the District line on
Brtghtwood road. In presenting a proposed
holiday liquor bin al the last session OF
Congress, Commissioner mcfarland recon-
rnended an amendment 10 provide for clos
ing the barrCOm.s in the District of Column
ola on Christmas day and on New Year.
A proposition was made by the persons
interested IN the prohibition OF the sale OF
iutoXicants IN the national capital TO estab-
lish system here similar to the dlspen-
sarles of South Carolina.
During the year much had been said CON
corning waste of water IN the District,
and concerning a possible water famine.
In many quarters there was earnest adj
yocacy OF some plan to diminish the pollu-
ttCn of the upper waters Of the Potomac.
Before Congress this year a bill provid-
ing FOR the turning over of control of the
entire water system 20 the Commissioners
will have much support. Capt. Spencer
Cosby or the Engineer Corps, u. :. A.
took charge Of the water system on De-
ccmber 10, and a fortnight: later he took
cognizance of the menacing wafer fariin
in statement which showed that the
filtration plant. worked TO its utmost ca
pac:ty. was barely supplying the Districts
needs
The snow law and the auti-smoke law
were each the cause of much controversy
at various times during the twelve months.
The snow law was finally declared invalid
by a decision OF the Court of Appeals on
March -. and the Supreme Court sub
sequently refused to issue a writ of GER
tiorarI for a review of the case. Conse-
quently the District began the present win
ter with no law under which the removal
of snow and ice from the sidewals could
be compelled. Replying TO a letter from
President Roosevelt the Commissioners
made a long report on the vexed smoke law
question and to statements made In this
report strenuous exception was taken by