The Washington herald., 1911-08-05

Sickening odors, stable flies
early morning noises, and smoke
from burning dead horses are only
few of the objections made by
citizens at the hearings being helc
against the erection of a municipal
stable in the square bounded by
| E, G, Thirteenth and Fourteenth
streets southeast.
REALTY MEN TESTIFY.
Nine real estate experts have testified
that in their opinions the stable would
depreciate the value Of property. A pro-
test signed by 175 property owners and
residents OF the section was presented
to the Commissioners May 10 last. but
the petitioners were told the purchase
had already been made. Twenty-Five
property owners some time ago entered
suit against the commissioners, and II
is in this action that testimony is being
taken by order of the court at the offices
OF Wilson & Barksdale, Attorney An
drew Wilson. appearing for the plain
tifrs, and Frank H. Stephens for the
defendants.
Mr. Wilson yesterday contended that
Congress appropriated funds for the
erection of stables in the square bounded
by Ninth, Tenth, n, and o streets north
west, and not for the site in the southeast,
where temporary stables had been erect
ed against the protest OF the property
owners.
1t was further argued by Mr.. Wilson
that in the erection OF the present tenn
porary stables the building and fire reg
ulations Of the District had been en-
tirely ignored, and that the Commission
ers all the way through had acted in a
most peremptory manner.
The property owners and residents
the stand, and without exception they
said the stables were a menace to
their health.
Overrun with Rats.
Alfred Giddings. of $50 Thirteenth
street southeast, who has lived there
for the past five years and owns his
house, testified that the neighborhood
is overrun with rats since the tempo
rary stables have been erected. Witness
said he had spent one whole afternoon
killing green flies. Mr.. Giddings COM
planned OF the odor coming from the
stables, which, he said, was something
awful"
John w. Olden, Of 1910 Pennsylvania
avenue. was the next witness called. He
owns his property and has lived in the
neighborhood for twelve years. He testi-
iai m ha hn
stables. He said there is hardly a morn
ing that they don't wake me up and the
rest of my family when they hitch up
fifty wagons alongside of my house and
drive out on the rough street in front"
Mr.. Olden testified that when the wind
is from the east or northeast the odor
comes in at the back and side windows;
that he has a boy who is sick. and that
when the odor gets too bad. he has to
close the window.
Flies in Abundance.
Mrs. Barbara Z. Brown, who has lived
in the neighborhood since 1854 and is a
property owner. corroborated the testi-
mony of the two other witnesses. Mrs.
Doretta F. Talcott, of 1889 E street south
east, who has resided there for the last
v,
said there are many blue bottle flies and
a larger number than usual Of small flies
in the neighborhood since the stables had
been erected there. She said they were
so annoying that one cant set a thing
outdoors but what they are in 1t. There
is a regular siege to keep them out Of
DOORS"
Witness said she had called on Capt.
in rd tn IA Nd
that he said. I'VE are going to run the
place out there the same as the one in
n street; you folks won't have to have
that objection about the noises so early
in the morning; we are going to run -
on the eight-hour plan" Mrs. Talcott
said the noises are the same as ever.
Mrs. Talcott said she also noticed odors
from the burning OF refuse material,
which, she said, makes a dense, thick
smoke. and very acrid; fills the yard full
OF dense smoke. Several times after
horses would die there, they must have
put some disinfectapts on the straw with |
which they were covered and then
burned that. creating a most offensive |
odor." |
No Use to Protest.
Being asked on cross-examination |
whether she had said anything to Capt.
about these matters. Mrs. Tai
colt said II was no use saying any, |
thing to him: It would be like pouring |
water on ducks back. for he would |
assent to everything you said But we |
went down and protested against It in |
the first place. and tried our best not |
tc have It put there. but It was no use."
She said she wrote to the health de-
partment about the noises. but that It |
was of no use. and that her daughter |
wrote to the health department about
he flies. and that they replied they
we're no authorized to interfere.
Jacob c. Mueller. meat and pro-
vision dealer, of 1247 E street southeast,
llso testified as to the odors from the |
stables. as did John Campbell, of 557 |
Fourteenth street southeast. a watch
nan at the washington Loan and Trust
Company.
Capt. william NJ. Potter. chairman nf
the executive committee of the South
east Citizens Association. which Is fight