Evening star., 1916-12-03
FIFTY YEARS AGO
IN THE STAR

IN THE STAR
High food prices had begun to break
at this time nifty years ago. and rs one
consequence fall
Falling Pricee ures in the whole
.,r sale provision trade
ed. In The Star of November 27, 1866,
is the following:
We have intelligence from New
York Of the failure yesterday afternoon
OF Dehon. Clarke & Bridges. one of the
largest Of the New York provision
houses. Its liabilities are stated at
over $500.0o0. This is the fifth pro-
vision house in that city which has
failed recently, and the bottom Is not
reached yet. These disasters are the
legitimate and inevitable results of
overerading and speculation. and we
may expect dealers in other commodi-
ties who persist in boarding their
stocks to take advantage Of the neces-
stiles of consumers to share the same
rate. Pork has again fallen In price,
and closed heavy yesterday at $215O
for mess. Dry goods are dull of sale
yet, even at reduced prices. and the
Hour and grain markets are lower Re-
tail dealers seem to be gradually realiz-
ing these facts and are reducing their
prices somewhat. but not at all in a
ratio corresponding with the expecta-
ton OF consumers, who are anxious to
reap the full advantage of every de-
cline in price at the earliest possible
moment. as they are generally made to
know when there is an advance in the
market without any unnecessary DELAY.
However. we presume that prices here,
as elsewhere. will soon adjust them
selves to the new order of things"
The lack of proper municipal equip
ment in Washington fifty years ago
occasioned m y
New Police disadvantages. not
Headquarters. was the the = Sreouent
moving of city Offices. In The Star of
November 27, 1865, is noted the OPEN
ing of the new police headquarters in
the building No. Louisiana avenue.
which for years past had been the resi-
dence Of Mayor Wallach. The head
quarters had been located in building
on 10th street between D and E for
some time before. The Star says:
"The offices now fitted up are those
OF the ma5or-superintende of the po-
lice in the parlors on the FIRST floor
and in the rear of these the detectives
office. the gallery of portraits and the
photographers room. Above are To-
Gated the rooms of the board of police
in which the secretary and clerks have
their offices. The property clerk has d
very fine room, fitted for storage of the
property reported to him and for the
keeping of his records. The police
telegraph was removed without acci-
dent and with but little interruption of
the regular business. In the basement
two cells are to be constructed for the
keeping Of prisoners brought in by the
detectives. A large furnace, for the
heating of the entire building, is To-
Gated in the front basement. The rear
building, in which the cells are to be
built, is made comforta BILE by a furnace
stove of large size. which also contrib
utes to the warmth Of several rooms
The work of fitting up the new head
quarters has been under the immediate
supervision of Gen. Bacon of the boa I'd
Of police. and to him. Maj. Richards
and the officers cooperating with them
credit is due for the safe and expedi-
tious removal of the property and rec
ords to the new headquarters
Apropos Of the movement under way
at this time f,ftv years aeo for an in
crease IN the Fay
Poor Pay Cause of Of the government
empl loyes. The
ReSlguatlOnS. g.. -.
Va 'o
80, 1855. said:
The serious disadvantage to the
.oyarrua,+ res,;It,no from, tho inada
quate pay given TO the department
clerks Is manifesting itself in the
startling number of resignations of
,.,,,r
eoinpe.en' " p"s
elsewhere. According to Jefferson, Few
clerks die and none resign. but were he
.,i,,. a., ,oce ha 1.or,a bsye occasion n
-.
chanse MS OPINION IN this matter Dui
ing the year 1865 271 clerks resigned
1, opa danar+uent alone the Treasury
,ece
DepartHeh.' anu Al sne i'"o up "
the present oa1e, theIe ha We Seen Ilo
the skilled and qualified clerks from
the department. The same process is
gong on IN al tne oepaI .'heh.s' 20 .ne
reaus and others responsible for the
proper execution of the departmental
Work work. It is sometimes said. in aHs1 er
~ iaces h % n,i,I ui,I ba y,,d r. 49, the
places at the same pay This is doust-
less true. and would doubtless be true