Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-01
Record of 1908 in the Capital of the Nation--
Marked Progress in Its Beautification
lation by Congress to Meet Local Needs--A
Busy Year in Churches and the Public Schools

LOUIS & VI iiSon was mace diSburSinS Of
flcer and Mex Mckenzie was transferred
from the real estate tax board 10 the per-
Sonal tax board
w. y. Stevens resigned as supe rintend-
ent of the bathing beach and Dr. VIII
liam B. Hudson was chosen as his sue
cessor. To fill the vacancy caused by
the appointment of W. T. Richards as
assessor Melvin c. HAGEN was chosen DIS
trict surveyor. T. {. J. Bailey, jr. was
promoted TO he assistant superintendent
of sewers. II. c. Eddy. superintendent
of the electrical department resigned
July to become secretary of the Dis
trict electric railway commission, and his
place was filed by the appointment of
w. +. Bleo. There was also change
in the head of the street cleaning depart
ment. John p. Twohey resisning, James
NJ. Wood succeeding.
Health Department Busy.
Tie health department had one of the
busiest years in it's history. For the
past six months it has been pushing A
Cleanliness crusade" primarily aimed to
give the District residents clean and
wholesome food and TO insure the men
sanitary shaves. Tho campaign against
unclean lunchroon1s and barber shops was
begun shortly after July /. when addi-
tional inspectors were provided. Since
that time there have been more than
| $40 Inspections of barber shops and
about 1000 inspections of lunchrooms.
Many proprietors We're taken to the Po-
lice Court on charges of violating the
health regulations. and it is estimated by
officials of the department that such vio-
lators of the laws have paid 81 200 in
fines since the beginning of the crusade.
Incidental to the inspection of lunch
rooms the health office inspectors also
looked into the storehouses of the street
vendors of fruits and vegetables and
warned them they must not keep such
products in stables living rooms or dirty
cellars. For some the reminder was fines
imposed by the Police Court Judge.
The finding OF a leper in the District
was unusual incident. John r. Early
came to the city to make application for
pension. called in a physician to treat
him for slight indisposition and was de-
clared to be suffering from leproSy. He
was removed Immediately after the dis
covery to an isolated spot on the Eastern
branch, where he was given quarters in a
tent. There he lived until a few days
ago. when he moved into more comforta-
BILE quarters In house
Dog Muzzling Order.
The prevalence of rabies in some sec
tons of the country resulted in the issuing
of an order by the Commissioners at the
suggestion of the President compelling
the nuzzing Of all dogs in the District.
This remained in force from the middle Of
June until the middle of December
The discovery of foot nd mouth dis
ease among cattle in Maryland resulted
in an order prohibiting the bringing Of
cattle and other animals. and hay. straw
and other fodder into the District from
Maryland, the quarantine lasting several
weeks.
The Districts building department and
its head. Snowden Ashford. were under
fire during the year. Complaints were
lodged against the department and charges
were filed with the Commissioners against
Mr.. Ashford and he was under suspension
for more than a month. The year closed
with the building department under in
restigation by direction OF the President
of the United States. The collapse OF
two buildings under construction resulted
in the present inquiry.
Action by Coroner's Jury.
The coroners jury, after d protracted
investigation, held Snowden Ashford
building inspector; Harry Blake. foreman
Of iron construction: ]. F. Bayne, brick
contractor. and T. H. Pickford, owner
responsible for the collapse of building
and following that verdict Mr. Ashford
was supsnded from office by the Commits
sioners. When the report of the grand
jury was made Mr. Ashford was rein
stated as he was not held responsible by
that body. November % the ironwork
Oh u DuilulNS ullueT construction at North
Capitol and NJ streets collapsed and one
of the workmen was killed. The jury in
its report November %. recommended a
thorough investigation of the building de
partment by an impartial commission aD-
pointed by the President, who designated
Commissioner of Labor NELL to make the
investigation.
The Commissioners also Investigated
charges filed against Building Inspector
Ashford by E. r. Gibbs in connection
with fire escapes The Commissioners pro-
nounced the building inspector not guilty
after considering the case for about four
months.
Several important amendments TO the
building regulations were promulgated
during the year. including rules for the
better inspection of elevators. for the
licensing of elevator operators and for
better protection of theaters against fire
The Commissioners were also called on
to investigate charges of favoritism in
the awarding of paving contracts pre-
ferred by P. j. Brennan. president of the
Brennan Construction Company The in
vestisation was first started when. through
Information furnished by Mr. Brennan
Charles Fernald, assistant engineer OF
highways, was asked TO resign The
charges of favoritism were made and
many public hearings on the matter fol-
lowed. The climax was reached when Ma
Morrow. then Engineer Commissioners pro
nounced Mr.. Brennan liar and asked
to have the word incorporated In the
record. Another sensation followed when
the attorney for the Brennan Company
objected TO Engineer Commissioner Nor
row sitting as an investigator. Mai
Morrow announced he would not pass on
the evidence, leaving the decision of the
case with the other two Commissioners
In decision announced July O. the engi-
neer department was eXonerated.