davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1906-04-08
Municipal Ownership
OF Public Utilities
Attitude Of District Commissioners in the
Past Compared With That of the
Present Board
the Editor Of The washington Times:

To the Editor Of The Washington Times:
1t is announced that our Board OF
Commissioners OF the District have put
themselves on record as not being in
favor of municipal ownership OF public
utilities. They have so informed an in
quiring citizen of Emporia. Kan.
Municipal ownership IN the District OF
Columbia is to all intents and purposes
Government ownership. Ten years ago
the Board of Commissioners put them
selves on record as favoring Govern
ment ownership OF our electric lighting
and power facilities. What 4 change
there has been In ten years in the
views OF the board. And what change
in the Senate and House District Com
mitteesi
Under date OF February 10. 1896. Hon.
John w. Ross. president of the Board
OF Commissioners. for the board. favor
ably reported 10 Senator Mcmillan,
chairman of the Committee on the Dis
trfct of Columbia. Senate bill 1923. and
stated that the board desires 10 ex-
press its opinion that the United States
should for the public interests. acquire
all the water rights at Great Falls, in
order to put an end 10 present conten-
t4oilH anu prevent ones ASAii6
from a divided ownership. and TO make
use Of the water al the falls not neces-
sary for water supply for the purpose
of public electric lighting and power
The surplus power is ample TO provide
electric lighting for the streets. ave
nues. parks. and public buildings. for
pumping for the Water Department and
for operating machinery In public builc
ings"
And Col George H. Elliott, corps OF
engineers, In charge OF the Washington
aque6uct, IN his report as 10 the
power 1t Great Falls said:
''TakIng IS per cent as the efficiency
Of turbines there would be available at
the foot of the falls about 6.40O-horse-
power. which could be used for generate
ing electrical power. and this power
would be more than sufficient TO light
all the public buildings and grounds OF
Washington and replace all gas lights
Of the city b. electric lights. IL is
estimated that there would be a saw
The Washington times., 1906-04-08

Ing (to the Government and the munich
pality) Of $I0O.e00 per annum."
The Senate District Committee unani-
mously favored the proposition 10
acquire all the water rights at the falls
for lighting power
This was ten years ago A saving OF
100000 year since would have amount
ed 70 $1.O00.000 by now And an equal
amount saved to private consumers.
This 100000 that might have been
saved has gone into the pockets Of our
benevolent public utility owners. en-
abling 100 per cent extra dividends to
be declared TO their stockholders.
Our present Board of Commissioners
in their answer TO the Kansas man
state that the District operates no
public utility except the water service,
which is a success: that there is no
agitation in the District for further city
ownership"
To our shame be Il spoken. that is
however, that they have gone back upon
the platform OF their predecessors.
In my view they should have Informed
the Kansas man that while the Board as
now constituted does not favor Govern
ment ownership Of public utilities. and
while the Senate and House District
Committees do not Congress itself ap-
pears 10 be adopting Government own
ership for the utilities which directly
concern il. electric lighting and pow
er. and that II has provided for a heat
ing. lighting, and power plant for all
the Government buildings on Capitol
Hill. present and prospective. TO cost
s., $4,000
This action by Congress IS Government
ownership by installments.
II now there were the germ of q right
public spirit in this community. and il
were properly manifested 70 Congress,
the preliminary steps would be taken
within a twelve-month TO harness the
Pover at Great Fails. In time 10 con-
meet with the prospective plant on Cap
itOl hill But what's the use IN talking?
Nothing can be done in a community
where there is no true public spirit.
PESSINIST.
The Washington times., 1906-04-08
ACTIVE DEALING IN
GEORGETOWN REALTY

J. McKenney Berry, of 1919 Thirty
first street, reports the following sales
during the past week.
For the Leetch heirs. the tWo-storv
brick dwelling, 3019 O. street. to Lieut.
Harry Schneider, of the Seventh Fre-
c1nct, who intends TO make il his home.
Also the two-story brick dwelling. SO21
o street, to Mr.. Howard c. Fischer,
each property selling for $500.
To Richard II. Bryan. the two two
STORY brick dwellings, 307S and 3075
Niagara street northwest, for J. i
Kelly, s.. 800.
Mr.. Berry reports the Leetch heirs
having SOLD the three two-story brick
dwellings, 1923, 1925 and 3027 o street
northwest. these properties bringing
The Washington times., 1906-04-08
THREE FINE HOUSES
ON WHITNEY AVENUE

James Ray, owner. has awarded the
contract TO Timothy l. Lewis for the
building of three three-story houses
on Park road Cor as 1t was formerly
known, Whitney avenue) between Thir-
teenth and Fourteenth streets, which
will be quite a handsome addition to that
locality. The houses will be built of
pressed brick with stone base and steps
and will have a novelty in the way of
side bay windows on the second story
OF the end houses. They will be fin
ished in hardwood, heated by hot water
and the total cost will approximate go
600. Edward o. Yolland Is the architect.
The Washington times., 1906-04-08
NEW HOUSES NEEDED
FOR CAPITOL HILL

The Capitol Hill Savings and Invest
ment Company are about to commence
the erection of a neat row of five two
story brick houses. at the corner OF
Fifteenth and A streets southeast, al
a cost Of $4,000. The houses will con-
tain six rooms and tiled bath with front
and rear porches and cellar under the
entire house. G. W. Dove Is the archi-
tect and builder.
There is a good demand for houses
of that size in that locality and the
company Will add other improvements
as available ground can be secured
John R. Shields is the trustee
The Washington times., 1906-04-08
PLANS TO BE DRAWN BY
WEll-KNOWN ARCHITECTS

The firm of Wood. D5nn & Deming,
who, rs already stated in this paper,
Will make the plans for the new build
ing of the Union Trust Company. on the
site of the Colonial Hotel. have also
been selected TO draw the plans for the
new building to be erected for the Car
negie Institution on the land recently
purchase sed on the Pierce Mill road. The
cost of the building will be about $50
0oc and the design is intended to be in
keeping with the uses for which il is
intended.
The Washington times., 1906-04-08
DESIRABLE SMALL HOUSES
IN EXCELLENT DEMAND

The MeLachlen Real Estate Company.
who have recently completed a row of
two-story houses on Ontario road, re-
port sales or six OF them, with several
applications on file. These houses con-
tain six rooms and sell for $500. and as
they were built by the well-known
builder, James L. Marshall, who has
Just e.npleted the Ontario apartment
house. The high character OF the work is
assured
The Washington times., 1906-04-08
HORSE AND BUGGY MISSING.

Alexandria police are looking for a
dark mare attached 10 black-top
buggy. which was stolen from in front
OF Center Market at IL o'clock yester-
day morning. The buggy contained a
dark overcoat. pair of buckskin gloves,
and blanket with red border.
The Washington times., 1906-04-08
PRETTY NEW ROW ON
RANDOLPH STREET

". f. Spier & Co. have secured the
contract TO build a row of ryyenty-four
houses on Randolph street, Blooming
dale and will start work on them at
once The cost will amount to $4,000
and II Is intended to make them quite
attractive. Joseph L. Bohn is the
architect and G. - Placks5en the
owner
The Washington times., 1906-04-08
DOUBLING CAR TRACKS.

The work OF double tracking the elec.
trio railroad at a point north OF the
culvcrt Of the Washington-South
railroad 10 King street extended. has
begun The trestle at HoOff's Run is
being widened 10 accommodate the two
tracks
The Washington times., 1906-04-08
SERVICES FOR TODAY.

Owing to improvements at the Second
Presbyterian Church the services today
Will be held at the First Presbyterian
Church. on South Fairfax street The
Rev. 6. b. Stricken. of the Union
Seminary. viii conduct all the services.
There will be no services at the Meth
odist Protestant Church today. the Rev.
J. II. 5 EweIl. the pastor, being at the
conference in Baltimore
The Washington times., 1906-04-08
SIXTEENTH STREET
LOT TO BE IMPROVED

Mrs. Frederick II. Benedict, OF New
York. has bought through Stone & Fair
fax, a lot on the west side of Sixteenth
street, near p street. on which she In
tends building a handsome residence
The lot is opposite the handsome resi-
dence of Senator Foraker, and having a
generous frontage of thirty-eig at feet
Will allow of the building of a fiDA home.
The price paid is not stattd.
The Washington times., 1906-04-08
MAYOR SET ON POLICE REFORM.

Mayor Paff last night said no plans
had been made for the reorganization
Of the police force, but at a meeting of
the police commissioners tomorrow even
Ing arrangements would be made and
put into effect as soon as possible. He
also said the people OF Alexandria were
demanding better service from the po-
licemen, and he was determined they
should get it
The Washington times., 1906-04-08
ALEXANDRIA NEWS NOTES

FIVE building lots with improvements al
St Elmo
Orlando beavers has bought from
, John d. Normoyle, agent for the heirs
OF John McGahey. a t1O-story dwelling
in North Henry street between Queen
and Prince streets.
Mr. NOrmoyle has also sold TO Ann
II Williams a lot Of ground on the
southeast corner of PendIeton and Pitt
streets
The Washington times., 1906-04-08
Gives Them a Mile Frontage.

IT adioins the property bought by
Woodward & Lothrop, through the same
broker. and they now own about 500
acres having a frontage on Deminue
avenue of over one mile. II Is expected
that the addition will become a part
OF the fine stock farm they are now es-
tablfShing. and as a railroad is project
ed through the property it will add very
much 10 Its future value The price paid
was in the neighborhOod OF 500 per
acre, and is considered very low.
IL viii be remembered that Count De-
mlnue was called to France by Lafay-
cite during the Revolution and lost his
life on the guillotine
The Washington times., 1906-04-08
NO TARIFF CHANGES
FOR THREE YEARS
Revision Unlikely Until !
After Big Election.
NOT AFRAID OF DEMOCRATS
Activity of Minority in Campaigning
On Duties Does Not Scare
Dalzen, He Says.

The lineup of Republican House
| leaders against tariff revision has
served well the purpose OF discouraS-
ing Senatorial advocacy Of the effort 20
/ secure revision at the short session or
the present Congress Indications are
| that there viii be no real effort till af-
ter the next Presidential election 10
do anything with the schedules.
1t is no secret that influential men in
the upper chamber were determined
from the beginning OF the present ses-
sion that the legislative slate ought 20
be cleaned up so that at the short ses-l
! sion IL would be possible to take up the
tariff II was not the intention 10 have
the tariff question thrown wide open.
/ The reyisionists hoped that Il might be
I possible 10 take up those schedules,
such as steel and lumber, against which
there has been most protest. make some
| changes. and pass a bin under a House
rule.
This would open the question in the
Senate, and endless debate might be
precipitated there. But as tariff IeSis-
latiOn must originate = the House. IL
was thought the situation would be sim
liar TO that presented now by the rate
question The House would pass a bill
and the Senate would not dare reject it
Cannon and Payne Say No.
B. Chairman Payne and Speaker
Cannon have given their assurances that
there is 10 be nothing doing this Con-
gress. and now comes Representative
Dalzel OF Pennsylvania, second mem
Der Of the COMMITTEE on Mays and
Means. with the statement that he could
No
licans. who are demanding il have come
10 a general agreement as 20 what
schedules they wished changed
Mr.. Dalzeu is not afraid Of the tariff
as an issue He IS willing 10 meet the
Democrats on IL
I am IN favor Of conducting louS'
hearings on the general subject OF
schedules and revision he said in
speaking OF his attitude a long period
OF uncertainty is about as dangerous as
the passage of an Objectionable tariff
measure"
The standpatters congratulate them
selves thar they have headed OF all
manifestation OF tariff interest Tor this
this Is true Certain il is there is a
decided dlScOuragemen among those
VINO had helped 70 secure some action
or interest in the matter
Democrats Are Cheerful
The Democrats are more cheerful over
their political outlook than for years.
and chiefly as a result OF the standpat
Republican declarations. Speeches are
wanted that can be used for campaign.
purposes. That by Mr. Rainey OF Inip
nois on the Watch trust is going 10 be
widely used by the Democrats. Any
other Republican who wants 20 assure
his views OF wide circulation has only
to tell his reasons for wanting tariff
schedules changed
The Democrats are going 70 make their
campaign on this issue, and they are
going 10 use Republican speeches. argu-
mentS. and platforms. in the main, as
the basis of it. They are studying the
close districts and sections with the
view 70 making their special efforts
where they Vvill count for the most
The Washington times., 1906-04-08
SERVICES AT SYNAGOGUE.

Services will be held at the Hebrew
synagogue next Monday evening at 1880
O'Clock and on next Sunday night AT
1:3o O'Clock. in celebration Of the pass
over
The Washington times., 1906-04-08
BUILDlNGOPERATIONSI IN CAPITALCITY
HISTORIC ESTATE
CHANGES HANDS
Woodward &c Lothrop Secure the Dirui-
nue. PToperty-To Become a
Stock Farm.

The country seat OF Count Deminue.
who was one of the well-known figures
during Colonial times. and with Lafay-
cite a frequent guest at Mt Vernon,
has been sold. The property has been
purchased by Woodward & Lothrop.
through Anton Heitmuller. real estate
broker. IL contains 105 acres, together
with the old mansion and outbuildings,
all of which are still in a good state OF
preservation and furnish a good type
OF The architecture Of earlier daYs
The Washington times., 1906-04-08
PERRY BELMONT WILL
BUILD FINE HOME
Secures a Desirable Piece of Ground
in Most Eligible Residential
Section.

The purchase by the Hon. Perry Bel
mont of the triangular piece OF ground
bounded by Eighteenth street. r street
and New Hampshire avenue will soon
add one more TO the handsome resi-
dences that are so thiekly located in
that locality The ground, fronting
as 1t does. on three streets. will give
ample opportunity for the most elab-
crate display on the part of the archi-
tect, and Mr.. Belmont. with the prodi-
gality of the wealthy New Yorker. will
erect building that will be in keeping
with his SURROUNDINGS
The Washington times., 1906-04-08
REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS.

Harry T. Jones, of Washington. has
bought from John D. NOrmoyle. agent
for Frank Hume. of Alexandria county,
The Washington times., 1906-04-08
High Price for Ground.

The price paid for the ground, while
high. even for that. favored locality. is
not In reality so. as there is over 1000
feet OF public parking. which Will allow
wide latitude in the general plan Of
the house.
In the immediate neighborhood are
the handsome residences Of Thomas Mel
son Page. George E. Hamilton. ]. Maury
Dove Hon. John Dalzell. and others.
who have spent large sums of money
in beautifying that section.
The daily morning journal and courier., 1906-03-24

Works, they submitted projected ta- riff for his sanction. Thus 1t appears that the right of veto exercised by the minister carries with it an implieo right to comment upon existing tariffs and to suggest the need of special ta- riffs.
 Concerning rebates, the contract which the state makes with the conces- sionaires says: Every private agree ment which would result in according to one or more shippers a reduction upon an approved tariff Is formally interdic- ted" Our consul-general at Marssilles says that the recorded offences against the law are few in number.
 While there are numerous complaints in France in regard to certain tariffs, there is no complaint in regard to the equal and just application of all tariffs to individual shippers. There is not the temptation to offer rebates and special privileges that there is in the United States, for there are few points served by competing lines. As rule, says our consul-general, the monopoly of the railroad company in its sphere of in-
 1uence is absolute, and being so, the operators have TO advantage In offer ing special terms to favored shippers.
 Of course the situation is much diff ferent and much more complicated in the United States. It would take a pretty big Minister to boss the rail roads of this country.
The daily morning journal and courier., 1906-03-24
6CARCL.

Truth crushed to earth will rise again. said the earnest citizen Yes" answered Senator Sorghum. The only trouble is that it sometimes doesn't get to it's feet until after the referee has counted ten, Washington Star
 Piggmus--"The automobilists seem to consider that there are only two classes of people in the world besides them selves" Dismukes-"What are the classes?" Piggmus-"Those who can get out of the way in time and those who can't Diamukes-"Ah, I see! The Quick or the Dead "-American Spectator.
 Eminent Financier-"Doc, I'm going to take out another million dollar poli cy. As the company's medical director, you'll testify, of course, as to my per feet health?'' Insurance Physician Certainly" Eminent Financier-"A by the way, Doc, I've bsan cited to ap- pear before a gimlet-eyed, half-baked investigator from the west, a fellow who's totally ignorant of our eastern financial ethics. As my family physi- clan, just write me a memo, will you, that I'm threatened with pneumonia or appendicitis, and can't possibly ap- pear?"-Puck.
 Robbie 'Mamma2''
 Mamma-"Well?"
 Robble-'Were men awful scarce when you married papa, or did you just feel sorry for him?"-Judge.
 Gentleman (getting into the carriage) That tooth must come out to-day under any circumstances. Drive me to the nearest dentist-but go sow!'- F'liegende Blatter.
 Well" exclaimed the first-nighter, as he came from the theatre, it's a mighty good thing that theatrical man agers are not always known by the company they keep.'-Puck.
 Granger-"dow did he make all his money?" Smoking; he was the greatest smoker in America.
 Granger-"Dry up, Kimmins; you can't make money in smoking" Kim mins-"He did. He smoked hams. "- American Spectator
 Guest (being shown over house)-"so this is your kitchen. It seems splen- didly appointed; but W yhhave you so many mirrors around? There must be a dozen at least" Host-"ssh! The cook is superstitious and-this way she doesn't care to throw things. Boston Transcript
The daily morning journal and courier., 1906-03-24

the records just previous to Ameri- can occupation. There is reason to be- lieve that many of the claims submit ted are entirely fraudulent; but each claimant is careful to sustain his claim by a long line of witnesses. Army off cers say it appears to be no difficult matter to obtain witnesses to any prop ositton which any one may choose to entertain or assert. Some effort is be- ing made to obtain from the Spanish government copies of records which may be retained on the official archives at Madrid. In any event, it seems likely that with the conflicting claims and with the apparently entirely prop CT legal support of them, the govern ment stands in a good position to lose much valuable property.
The daily morning journal and courier., 1906-03-24
FOR REFORM AT HEADQUARTERS.

New Haven is never too busy re- forming itself to be oblivious of the need of reform in other places, or un- willing to do what it can to bring about such reform. So it has joined three hundred or more other cities in asking congress to pay remedial atten- ton to some matters in Washington which need such attention. We there fore,' say New Ravens representa- tives, earnestly beg you to use every effort to remove and forever render i'm possible a renewal of the disgraceful and dangerous slum conditions of Washington, and we especially beseech you to favor and to strenuously ad- vance those legislative measures now affecting the District of Columbia, for improving housing and health condi- tions, for conserving the home by pre- venting wife desertion, for protecting children by requiring compulsory edu- cation. for opening play grounds, for providing a juvenile court, for prohib- iting child labor and for turning the alleys into comparatively broad streets"
 Quite a programme, but not too large a one. Washington, the capital of a country that is rapidly being re- formed, ought not to be behind the procession Its proper place is at the lnead of it. Doubtless Congress will promptly do it's plain duty in the mat ter, and Washington will soon be an example for the other cities of the country
The daily morning journal and courier., 1906-03-24

be seen over the summit of Croydon Mountain. He leaned his rifle against the wall of an ancient sugar house and listened. For few minutes the silence was unbroken; then very distinctly, came the squeal of wild boar Kimton picked up his rife and started east, up hill, toward the feeding grounds. It was but a minute walk along a mar row spruce-bordered trail then, rush. ing his way gently through the ever greens, he overlooked a little wooded valley which Is one of several places where the Corbin Park wild boar are fed during the winter months Kimton peered cautiously through the trees, but saw nothing that he wanted. To be sure there were boars gleaning the last few kernels of corn which had been scattered there. but even in that dim light 1t could be seen that two were size. The big fellows had doubtless gone back to their nests among the spruces, and to their nests he must fol- low them If he expected to get one out to-day. So quietly he crept back into the trail and started up the side of the mountain.
 On every hand were signs of boar chiefly deep furrows through the snow extending from all parts of the forest, and many of them leading to the feed- ing grounds Some of these had been traversed so often by so many animals, that the sides were smooth and the bottoms packed hard. Selecting one whictl looked as if 1t were one of the principal highways, the. hunter fol- lowed It. It led him to a clearing from which numerous other trails led into the forest and the surrounding spruces offered many inviting retreats for the
 game. So he went along very quietly searching tine ground along the distant border of the clearing, for anything
 which suggested a heap of evergreen boughs such as serves the wild boar for a home. At last he saw, on the north
 side of the clearing, dark patch under the lowest branches of a spruce and he drew back under cover of the woodland
 to investigate. Stealing round until he got the wind in ilis face, he crept up until he could plainly see not only that
The daily morning journal and courier., 1906-03-24
IS IT HOPELESS9

It is always darkest just before day and utterances that have lately been made by distinguished and disgusted Democrats indicate that the Democrat icparty couldn't be in any darker night than 1t is In now Perhaps, therefore 1t Is time to hope instead of despair It may be that there will continue to be Democrats. There will certainly be one If baby ambition doesn't fail. A little New Haven boy was asked the other day if he didn't want to grow up and be a good Christian, "No," was the prompt response, T want to be a Democrat" Perhaps this ambition is more general than we know. Anyhow, there is one case of it, and we make it public for the encouragement of the nourners
 We do not feel like being mean enough to call attention to tine sure perception displayed by the youngster in seeing that he couldn't be both a good Christian and a Democrat,