davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1915-01-01
EVENTS IN CONGRESS AND DEPART TMENTS

Real estate was inactive, but prices re-
manned firm
Brokers report that the renting busi-
ness was particularly good during the
year. An officer Of the local realty as
sociation is Of the opinion that at no
time in ten years was the renting busi-
ness as good as it was during the past
twelve months. 1t is reported that the
advent of 1915 finds few apartments
with vacancies.
The inactivity which applied to real
estate sales also applied to building.
In comparison with the records Of
former years few big building projects
were started during the year. The year
saw the completion of several large
structures and the erection of many
residences. especially in the suburban
sections.
Building Of fine residences fell behind
during the year. but not so with rows
of moderate-priced homes. Statistics
completed at the Office Of the inspector
Of buildings indicate that the greatest
suburban building activity during 1914
was in the vicinity of Chevy Chase,
D. C. The second greatest activity in
of 10th street extended. particularly in
18th Street Highlands. The building
activity along Rhode Island avenue ex-
tended in the northeast section of the
city is reported to have ranked third
Among the real estate transactions of
importance that were consummated
during the year were the sale of the
avenue between 17th and 18th streets,
which Is reported to have brought in
the vicinity of 100000 in a cash trans
action; the sale Of the site Of the old
Evening star., 1915-01-01
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE,

I. W. Gregory, an assistant attorney
general, succeeded James c. Mercy
nolds as Attorney General on the ele-
walton of Mr.. McReynolds to the su-
preme bench; this was the first and
only change in the personnel of the
cabinet during the administration of
President Wilson. During the year
the antitrust law and the white slave
law were enforced with rigor; many
combinations in restraint of trade ar
ranged with the Department of Justice
for reformation of methods to meet
with the administration view of law
ful business practices. Among these
corporations were. the New York. New
Haven and Hartford railroad and the
American Telephone and Telegraph
Company.
The Wholesale jewelers. Association.
the thread trust, the lumber trust
and other alleged combinations were
prosecuted in the courts. Violations
of the neutrality laws along the Next
can border produced much legal work
for the governments law department.
Jesse T. Adkins resigned as assistant
attorney general. Attorney General
Gregory, among other important opin-
ions, decided that the federal reserve
board is government activity inde-
pendent of other administrative
agencies, but its funds, as public
moneys" are subject to audit by gov
ernment auditors.
Evening star., 1915-01-01
INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.

Efforts Of the Interior Department
were aimed toward opening the doors
Of Alaska, placing the American In
dian on citizenship footing and de-
veloping the great western country.
Headway toward making Alaskan
riches available was made, following
the appointment Of commission which
spent the whole of last summer MAX
ing surveys Of railroad routes and
ports. The commission was composed
Of William C.. Eads, Lieut.. Frederick
Mears. U. S. A., and Thomas Riggs, jr.
The commission is now in Washington
preparing its report. The Copper River
railroad. J. Pierpont Morgan property,
was offered to Secretary Lane for pur-
chase by the government.
The position OF general superintend-
ent and landscape gardener Of national
parks was created by Secretary Lane,
and Mark Daniels, eminent landscape
architect, was given the first appoint
ment. Bo Sweeney was named as assist
ant secretary Of the Interior.
Robert T. Frazier, first assistant COM
missioner of patents, died during the
Newton. assistant commissioner Rob-
ert F. Whitehead, law examiner, sue
ceeded Mr.. Newton.
Changes in the organization of the
reclamation service were effected in
the latter part Of the year. The posi-
ton Of director was abolished and the DO
sltlon OF chief engineer as head of the
service was created. The latter posi-
tton was filled by the appointment OF
A. P. Davis, who was chief engineer
under former Director Newell. Director
F. II. Newell was retained as consult
ing engineer Of the service Sydney
b. Williamson was appointed CHIEF con-
.tructor.
Evening star., 1915-01-01
INTERSTATE COMMERCE
COMMISSION.

Great increases in the work Of the
interstate commerce commission were
noted during the year. On the other
hand. orders of the commission pro-
vided for better regulation and safety.
Under the guidance Of the commission
railroad travel was made safer by the
requirement for construction and use
of all-steel passenger coaches. Derafl-
ments were lessened by public reports
Of the commission showing defective con-
struction of roads and material.
Important decisions regarding rate
regulation were handed down. Appltca-
tion Of roads for permission to in
crease rates were turned down in part by
the commission, which suggested that
passenger traffic was not bearing just
share Of burdens. Following this sugges-
tion the railroads increased passenger
rates. raising the price of mileage books,
abolishing round-trip rates and increasing
one-way rates. Toward the end OF the
year, upon application Of roads for re-
opening what was termed "5 per cent
rate case" the commission permitted the
roads to make increases In freight rates
Two new commissioners, Henry Clay
Evening star., 1915-01-01
ALONG THE RIVER FRONT.

As general thing the steamboat
lines employed in traffic on the Poto-
mac river and Chesapeake bay out OF
Washington report increased business
in the past year over that of 1913 and
there is every prospect of a continued
increase in business in the coming
year. The country on both sides of the
Potomac has grown considerably in
population and is being split up into
small farms that are being cultivated
and their products shipped to the mar
ice, it is asserted there is no reason
why the country on both sides the Po-
tomac should not be like that of the
Delaware or the Hudson to keep pace
the needs Of its wealthy Inhabitants.
Though the steamboat lines running
on regular routes and carrying excur-
sions in the past year handled many
hundred thousand persons, not an ac-
cident of importance occurred among
lost aboard a Potomac steamer. Two
collisions are recorded. The first, be-
tween the steamer Newport News of
the Norfolk and Washington line and
the steamer Northumberland of the
Maryland, Delaware and Virginia route
to Baltimore, occurred at the entrance
to the harbor and resulted in both
steamers being considerably damaged.
The second accident occurred in NoIhi-
nj creek when the steamer Wakefield
of the Potomac and Chesapeake line
and the schooner Bertha Dean fouled
each other and the Dean was slightly
damaged.
But One Foreign Steamer Here.
Only one foreign steamer, the Brit
ish ship Austrianna, was in port here
in the past year. She brought paving
block from England for local street
paving work. The increased use of
manufa ctured ice has rendered unnec-
essary the bringing of the natural
product here from Maine and the big
schooners that formerly brought cool
ing cargoes are seen no more. In the
mast summer not pound of ice was
unloaded at the local docks. All the
big ice storage plants which formerly
lined the river front between 7th and
14th streets southwest have disappear
ed, the tearing down Of the last one
Evening star., 1915-01-01
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Development of methods for assisting
American business to increase the for
eign trade characterized the work of the
Department OF Commerce during the
year just closed. Branches of the bu-
reau of foreign and domestic commerce
the trade extension bureau of the de-
partment, were established in New York,
Chicago, ST. Louis, New Orleans and
San Francisco. where business men and
manufacturers could obtain first-hand
information Of opportunities abroad from
government agents who had Travelled the
various fields. Congress made provision
for commercial attaches to the Ameri-
can embassies to assist In furthering
American trade, and the positions pro-
vided for were filed during the year.
For the first time in its history the
bureau OF the census was confined under
the same roof with the department. This
bureau was moved from the old one
story building which 1t occupied for SC
many years in the vicinity OF the Capt.
tol.
DR.. Edward Ewing Pratt was appoint
Of foreign and domestic commerce, sue
ceeding A. H. Baldwin, who became
commercial attache at London, England
Edward A. Brand was promoted to be
nrst assistant cnlel OF the bureau q
foreign and domestic commerce, in thu
place Of Oscar p. Austin. who resigned
Frank r. Rutter was promoted to be as.
sistant chief Of the bureau of foreign
and domestic commerce, succeeding Mr.
Brand.
Edward C. Gillette was promoted from
assistant engineer in the bureau Of light.
houses to be superintendent of nava
construction in the same bureau, sue.
ceeding George Warrington. Francis NJ
Ghnro nrnnnntod fn chjof ~ thn l>
partment's division of supplies, succeed.
Ing Wilbur W. Fowler, who resigned
Starke M. Grogan was promoted to bt
chief statistician in the census bureau
succeeding LeGrand Powers, resigned
Cressy L. Wilbur resigned as chief Stats
tician In the bureau Of the census. Ru.
dolph Zirpel was promoted to assistant
engineer In the bureau Of lighthouses.
The following commercial attache.
were appointed: A. H. Baldwin, Lon.
Evening star., 1915-01-01

famous "Katzenjammer Kids cartoons
| in its comic supplement. June T. the
handsome silver cup, donated by Ine
Star, was awarded to the western
High School rifle team for It's su-
perior proficiency in marksmanship.
June 30 the announcement was naoe
of the re-award of The Star scholar. .
ship in the Lieberman School OF
Music to young Jack McAuliffe OF this
. city. The Star distributed thousands
of buttons to mark the membership OF
the wearers In the Bedtime stories
Club.
pictorial war extra, a highly success
full innovation.
Richard McLean's Anniversary.
Two events Of personal history dur
ing the year seen deserving Of men,
ton. March IL. Richard Mclean. one
of The Stars Oldest and most faithful
employees, celebrated the fiftieth ami
versary of his connection with the
paper, while December 16 The Stars
composing room was praised for its
sanitary arrangement and conveniences
before the house committee of the Dis
trict of Columbia.
The Star carriers, as much a part Of
The Star as its staff, have been fire.
quently remembered during the year
with treats to entertainments of one
kind or another, including visit to the
famous English prison ship Success"
then anchored off Washington on its
way to the Panama canal exposition In
San Francisco; reception by Noodles
Pagan, the famous newsboy. and visit
to see cinderella F." at Polls Theater, a
few days before Christmas.
Evening star., 1915-01-01
THE STAR.

The Star maintained its place during
the year as washington's great home
and family newspaper, in the prompt
publication of all the news and the
presentation of attractive and instruc-
tive special features, besides continu-
ing it's advocacy of measures for the
betterment of local conditions.
The Star was the first local newspa-
per to inform the citizens of Washing
ton that war had been declared in Eu-
tanced all other local information upon
the subject by hours. So, too, when
President Huerta OF Mexico withheld
the salute to the American flag de-
manded by the President, 1t quickly
spread the news, in an extra issued
Anril 10. throughout the length and
breadth of the District.
Correspondent With Atlantic Fleet.
In order that news gathered on the
spot might not be denied its readers,
1t sent a special staff correspondent to
Vera Cruz with the American feet.
August "a, within three weeks Of the
declaration that brought on the war
in Europe, The Star had published and
issued comprehensive war atlas,
showing maps of the countries affected
and giving minute details as to their
armament Two weeks later, Septem-
ber 8, it caused to be erected on the
18th street side of The Star building
a mammoth map Of the war countries.
of the respective armies.
Beginning November %. through the
agency Of The Star, the famous Rober;
son war travelogues, with beautiful
and interesting views of the European
countries, were the means of giving
better Information to thousands OF
people at Convention Hall.
In February, as an educational stimu-
lqs it p1blshsd its offer ,5e Of the PEG
pies cyclopaedia fo9 'he h neneft ,s OF Its Its
rfes Of pictorial articles entitled odd
Finds with the Camera" which has as
readers April 29 The Star offered its
readers a standard work on dancing
to those whose interest had been
aroused in the latter day dances.
May 2s The sunday Star perfected ar
rangements for the publication Of the
Evening star., 1915-01-01

Hall and Winthrop M. Daniels, were ap-
pointed and assumed duties during the
year, the former filing the unexpired
term of c. A. Prouty, who resigned to be-
come director of the valuation under the
commission, having charge of the work
of making valuation Of railroads. Com
missioner Daniels was appointed to sue
ceed the late Commissioner Marble. Jo-
seph W. Folk assumed the duties of chief
aminer Ross G. Rynder resigned. Dur
ing the year the commission organized
a board Of examiner-attorneysa and in
creased in strength and numbers its
examining corps.
Evening star., 1915-01-01

Renting business particularly good, active demand
having been shown for desirable properties.
Several large building projects completed, among them
bureau of engraving and printing Capitol Park and arrng
hotels Walker Johnson building for Navy Department.
addition Commerce building, Fontanet Courts Wardnan
Courts
John L. Weaver reelected president of Real Estate
Brokers' Association and president the National
ciaton of Real Estate Exchanges.
Construction of number of large building projects
gun, including Red Cross building, Central High School,
Columbia and Emergency hospitals
Evening star., 1915-01-01
TREASURY DEPARTMENT.

Meeting the extraordinary economic
conditions caused by the war in Eu-
rope, the Secretary of the Treasury
was called upon to devise plans to
safeguard American interests and pre-
vent a financial catastrophe Emer-
gency currency was issued to national
banks on demand in considerable vol
ume to meet the need for capital and
an elastic currency. The organiza-
tion Of the federal reserve system gave
further relief. setting into motion the
scientific machinery planned for pro-
viding against dangerous economic sit
uations. The federal reserve board as
sumed authority over the on-hun-
dred-and-t thirty five e-million-dollar cot
ton pool. devised to enable cotton pro-
ducers to borrow money on cotton and
to hold 1t for better market conditions
To meet the need for insurance of
neutral vessels against capture by bel
hgerents and capture of cargo. the
war insurance risk bureau was provid-
ed by legislation and established as an
activity of the Treasury Department
Anticipatory Of a shortage in revenues
from customs. as result of the falling
on OF foreign commerce. the war emer-
gency revenue act was passed by Con-
gress, and applied by the internal rev.
enue bureau. The controller of the
treasury IN important rulings, Qec1d-
ed that the District Of Columbia was
not Indebted to tho United States for
more than half OF the interest pay
ments of 1877 and 1873 on account of
the 365 District Of Columbia bonds, and
entertained the possibility that there is
no Indebtedness. and ruled that rentals
or the market property were not ordi-
nary revenues of the District of Column
bia, but properly credited to the United
States. The bureau of engraving and
printing had one Of its busiest years.
printing the emergency currency, the
new federal reserve notes and the war
emergency tax stamps, largely accom-
plished in anticipation Of legislation.
Cure for Leprosy.
The public health service announced
the discovery of a cure for leprosy and
undertook to free New Orleans of the
bubonic plague by campaign of rat
determination. The architect of the
Treasury took initial steps toward the
erection of a building to house bu-
reaus of the Interior Department, and
progressed with preparations for pub
lie buildings in Washington and in
other commupities. The income tax di-
vision of the internal revenue bureau
collected revenue much under esti-
mates. with prospect Of meeting ex-
pectation in this years collections
Robert Williams. jr.. deputy collector
OF internal revenue, died. and was sue
ceeded by David A. Gates. The revenue
cutter and life-saving services aided In
many sea disasters. notably the loss
OF the steamer Hanalei, off San Fran
cisco. and made further effort to OBJ.
tain the passage of the coast guard
bill. to merge the two humanitarian
services.
Evening star., 1915-01-01
ALEXANDRIA.

| A review Of the year just closed shows
that Alexandria has made fair progress
along all lines despite the fact that con-
ditions in many other places have been
anything but successful. Merchants re-
port good year and the various banks
reported more progress this year than
last year.
During the course of the year a num-
| ber of handsome homes have been
erected and many transfers In realty
have been made. Prices obtained show
| that values have not by any means
shrunk as they have elsewhere.
Included in the list Of big building
enterprises was the converting Of the
north end Of the old Braddock House
as the Wagar, just completed by Mr..
| Wagar.
| The Carlyle House Corporation. in
| corporated, has acquired the south end
purchased the historic old Carlyle
House in the rear of the Braddock
House.
Beginning July 1 all owners Of houses
| where sewers pass will have to tap
same under the law, and many have ar
ranged to take up the work early next
| spring.
Two Big Fires.
! During the year Alexandria has had
| two big fires, one being at the estab-
lishment of Charles King e. Son, In
corporated, entailing an estimated loss
of $4,000, and the other at the acid
plant of the Alexandria Fertilizer and
Chemical Company.
One new church, known as the Sec
ond Baptist, was completed during the
year, and a bank, known as the Union
Savings Bank, was also organised. The
Virginia Press Association was enter
tanned here during the year and paid
glowing tribute to the historic old city.
erected a tablet on the city market
building commemorating historic CO.
lonial events.
One of the big things being done by
the corporations is that OF the con-
struction of a big dam by the Alex
andria Water Company at Bancroft,
Fairfax county, several miles south
west of Alexandria. This dam, which
will be completed next summer. rep
resents an investment Of about $2b0.000
and will hold 60o,0o0.000 gallons OF
water.
The Episcopal High School formally
dedicated a handsome gymnasium at
it's school. costing $4,000. The city
house of the Relief hook and ladder
company, at a cost Of $12,500.
Just beyond Alexandria. in Afexan-
dria county, two new churches were
erected, one UeihS ol. Mia . SdthoAlSb
at Mount Ida, costing $4,000, and the
other, the Baptist Church. in Del Ray,
which is now rapidly nearing compile
tion.
Prospects for the new year are re-
garded as very good. During the year
a modern hospital for the Alexandria
Hospital, to cost $4,000. will be erect
ed on the square bounded by Column
bus. Alfred Pendleton and Wythe
streets. A campaign to raise funds for
this purpose was inaugurated early in
1914 and most of the money raised.
Modern High School Building.
Another big thing for Alexandra
will be the erection of a modern high
school building. to cost between $45, 900
and $4,000.
This was made certain only few
days ago when the city council finally
passed upon the proposition to borrow
the money for its erection. With Its
erection Alexandria Will compare
favorably with any city in the state in
school facilities. it is stated.
Evening star., 1915-01-01

the advantages have been gained by the
consolidation of the screen wagon, col
lection and delivery service. Many
through the adoption of modern busi-
ness methods and the use Of new types
of equipment.
Evening star., 1915-01-01
REAL ESTATE.

Although Washington real estate was
not active during 1914, 1t was stable.
No holdings were thrown on the mar
ket"; there were practically no "sacri-
fee sales" This condition applied both
to business and residential property;
to city and also to suburban holdings
Evening star., 1915-01-01
Big Building Projects.


The biggest building project COM
pleted in the District of Columbia dur
ing the wear was the bureau of enerav-
ing the year was the bureau of enerav-
Capitol Park hotels were completed. A
large addition was built to the Palais
Royal and new buildings provided for
Kings Palace and Goldenberg's. The
Red Cross building on 18th street south
ed. and work also was begun on the
Columbia and Emergency hospitals
both OF which now are nearing COM
pletion.
The Real Estate Trust building at
I4th and II streets was completed and
building at 18th street and Pennsyl-
vania avenue erected. The large cleo
trical laboratory building at the bu-
reau OF standards was finished. Two
large apartments were built at the cor
ner of 18th and K streets, A large
apartment, known as Beverly Courts,
was erected on Columbia road. A por-
ton OF the large business structure at
the northeast corner of 18th and F
streets northwest was completed. A
large business building was erected at
Connecticut avenue and L street
northwest. In the downtown section a
number of old business structures were
remodeled and modernized during the
year. Many residences were remodeled
for business purposes.
A number of meetings were held
during the year by the Real Estate
Brokers' Association of Washington,
which worked for the promotion of the
exclusive listing system and other
projects designed to benefit the real
estate profession At the annual cleo
tion of officers John L. Weaver was
chosen president, George Y. Worthing-
ton vice president, Harry K. Boss sec
retary and H. L. Rust treasurer. Mr.
Weaver was elected vice president Of
the National Association of Real Es-
tate Exchanges. The local realty as
sociation did it's part in opposing the
enactment of measures inimical to the
welfare Of the District of Columbia,
which were introduced in Congress
during the year.
Evening star., 1915-01-01

don; c. W. A. veditz, Paris; Edwin W.
Thompson, Berlin; Henry D. Baker. Pet
rograd: Julean H. Arnold, Peking: Lin
coin Hutchinson, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil:
Albert Hale, Buenos Aires, Argentina;
Verne l. Hayens, Santiago Chile; A. |.
Harrington, Lima, Peru, and William c.
Downs, Melbourne, Australia.
Evening star., 1915-01-01
Information Office Opened.

The Office of information was estab-
lished to distribute the departments re-
suits Immediately to the public press.
During the year printed publications Of
the department were simplifed, shortened
and grouped in two or three series issued
in the name of the department as a whole.
New publications numbered 1,152, ag-
gregating 26,600,000 copies. Detailed soil
surveys covered 35,721 square miles.
Meat animals inspected, both before and
after slaughter, numbered 56,909,3S7.
Areas freed from cattle ticks and released
from quarantine aggregated S,704 square
miles. New cotton standards were pro-
mulgated, in accordance with the cotton
futures act. Several forest fires taxed
the system Of forest protection even more
severely than in 1918.
1t is the intention of the Secretary to
reorganize the departments demonstra-
tfonal work by placing the Office of farm
management directly under himself and
attaching the farm Unconstitutional work
to the office Of experiment stations, chang
ing the name of that Office to the states
relation service. This service will con-
meet the department and the state agri-
cultural colleges in the administration of
the Lever act, which provides large fed
eral funds for carrying agricultural In
structions directly to the farmers. Dur
ing the year the name Of the bureau
of statistics was changed to that of
| bureau Of crop estimates.
DR.. B. T. Galloway resigned his posi-
ton as assistant secretary during the year
to go to Cornell University as director of
| the college of agriculture, and was sue
ceeded by Carl Schurz Vrooman of H.
linois.