Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-01-01
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
Marked by steady progress in all de-
partments. the year just closed has
passed into history as one of the very
best ever experienced by the District
of Columbia government.
Discussion of the "half-and-hclf'
plan. governing the fiscal relations be-
tween the local and federal govern
1nents. which Congress subsequently
Sustained. dwarfed consideration of all
other public matters at the beginning
OF the year.
The first change OF Importance in the
personnel of the government occurred
january 10. when n. c. Eddy, engi-
Hser Of the public utilities commission,
Resigned He was succeeded by ].
Xappeyne.
Prompted by suggestions by Com
missioner Newman and other social
pervice experts. the Park View Citi-
ems Association. in January. began
Dzans for the organization of a COM
nunity center. This movement at
tracted much attention throughout the
year.
There was a great deal of discussion
n Congress and before citizens asso-
&iations at the beginning of the year
1oncerning the COMMISSIONER pro-
Dosal to have transferred to them all
Authority vested In the board Of edu-
nafion. The board objected strenuous
~ to this proposition and Congress re-
fused to change the existing state of
6fFairs.
n The police census, announced Janu-
ny -, gave Washington a population
Sf 357.74s.
In February various activities came
ITO play to prevent. II possible, the
4rectfon on the south side Of the Mall
~ four great smokestacks on top of
- proposed central heating. lighting
I'D power plant Of the federal gov
I<nment- Congress refused to halt
HxAns for the carrying out of this i'm
movement.
Prospects for a battle in the Senate
4ver the Sheppard bill for prohibition
&uAry. IT was not until December,
1oWever. that this bill became a real
rue before the Senate.
SWnshington's drst street railway
thg day IT was called OF, through the
f4orts OF the District Commissioners
~ mediators.
March Mrs Susie Root Rhodes, a
Nember Of the board Of education. was
appointed supervisor Of the Districts
Z1sygrounds department. succeeding
George n. Roberts. who was made su-
peftntendent Of the department of
Xetghte. measures and markets. in
Place Of J. II. Sherman, resigned.
The nomination of Gen. Robert G.
ninth as a member of the District ex-
80 board was rejected by the Senate
March Is. Andrew ]. Cummings later
NAs nominated for the position by
Rrosident Wilson and confirmed.
The annual Independence day cele-
nRatton. arranged by a citizens COM
ntttee, OF which Commissioner New
han was chairman. was carried out
tatriotic meetings and a riding carni-
&1i at Brtghtwood reservoir.
: July President Wilson nominated
Commissioner Newman to succeed him.
GD1f in that position, the Senate subse-
4usntly confirming the appointment
d. J. Kaufman was appointed by
President Wilson, in July, as a member
~ the District board of charities. In
mis- month. also. Melvin c. Hazen was
EeAppointed surveyor Of the District
0sptsmber President Wilson signed
"a District appropriation bill, carryin g
approximately $1,000 900 more than the
ASgest allowance Of any previous year.
4As bill provided an adequate retire.
Usnt and pension provision for mem
6ofp Of the police and IRE departments.
= also provided nearly half million
dollars for street improvements, the
1nrHest appropriation for that purpose
ever made in one year.
Roger J. whiteford, assistant corpora
ton counsel. resigned in September.
and was succeeded by p. NJ. Marshall.
- A resignation occurred in the engf-
nesr department during this month.
HAj. Julian L. Schley. who had served
e executive officer of the public utili
at fra 4A nd n
the War Department to New Orleans
walter c. Allen. electrical engineer of
the District. was selected to I'LL the va
eancy. while W. B. Hadley. assistant
the position vacated by Mr.. Allen
October 9 was observed as Fire Pre-
vention day" Fire Chief Wagner. Sup
orintendent Of Insurance Nesbit and
ether District officials participating in
= public demonstration designed to i'm
press upon Washington the desirability
~ observing at all times the strictest
ire prevention methods.
Dr. Arthur L. Hunt OF the health de-
partment, who had taken an active part
70 nghting the spread of infantile
paralysis in the District. died as re-
1u1t of contracting this disease Octo-
The District government began to face
- coal shortage in October. which. by
December had assumed such serious pro-
portfons as to threaten the necessity Of
dosing some Of the public schools The
situation was relieved. however. by the
middle Of December. when larger ship
nents Of the fuel reached local dealers.
The number Of establishments engaged
Columbia was decreased b. ten saloons
and four wholesale places In licenses is
ouod November ! by the excise board
q "a spphcatcns for retail licenses. the
6oe OF ninety-nve wholesale apphca-
Uoua. eaghty- -four were granted and ter