davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1922-09-03

estate and tangible personal property is
a full valuation.
The rate fixed for the fiscal year be-
ginning July /, 1922, is $l.50 per 500
on both real estate and tangible per-
sonal property. On intangible personal
property the provision of law requiring
a tax of three-tenths of 1 per cent was
increased on July l, 1922. to five-tenths
of 1 per cent. The law provides that
the Commissioners shall fix the rate
Of taxation to meet the proportion. of
the expenses of the District to be paid
from this source. Taxes were formerly
payable annually, but beginning July I.
1922, they are payable semi annually,
on November and May 1 of each year.
OWING to the fact that there are
" many duties to be performed. each
member of the board of commissioners
is appointed committee Of one to han
die certain municipal functions. For
instance. Commissioner Cuno H, Ru-
dolph, president Of the board. has the
extensive and by no means easy task
of handling the assessments of prop
erty The assessors and assistant as
SCISSORS are directly responsible to him.
He also has under his jurisdiction the
auditor and the latters' assistants.
The matter of automobile licenses is
also handled under his direction, and,
Evening star., 1922-09-03

Senate, and when passed by these
bodies and signed by the President it
becomes a law.
All funds appropriated for the ex-
penses Of the government Of the Dis
trict Of Columbia are paid from two
sources. These sources are: First, tax
alton on real estate and personal prop
erty of the residents of the District, in
cluding street railways. gas companies
and other public utilities. and certain
license taxes imposed by law on vari-
Gus businesses; second, money in the
United States Treasury belonging to the
United States. :.
In 1878, when the present form of
government. was established, the law
provided that one-half Of all appropria-
tions made for the expenses Of the Dis
trict Of Columbia should be payable
from taxes levied on the residents OF
the District and the other half from
funds in the United States Treasury.
Under the law as 1t now exists, how
ever, it is provided that so per cent of
such appropriations shall be paid from
taxes levied in the District Of Columbia
and 40 per cent from funds of the
United Statets. Prior to July 1, 1922,
taxes on real estate were levied on the
basis of a ;two-thirds valuation, and on
personal property at full valuation.
Now the basis Of taxes on both real
Evening star., 1922-09-03

if this were not enough to occupy his
time, he is at the head Of the follow.
ing: Charities of the city, child labor
board of children's guardians. claima
against the District of Columbia, COL
lector of taxes and the office Of the
corporation counsel and his aids.
Seemingly just to make it interesting
and to keep him from having any spare
time on his hands. he has to confer
with the disbursing officer, and added
to this duty come the matters of dog
tags and the drainage Of lots. Turning
from these duties. he becomes a sort
of family chemist. having under his
jurisdiction the Office Of the druggists
to the poor. Continuing this form of
paternalism, he keeps an eye on the
eight-hour law for females, also super
vises the employment agencies. and
then he adds to his other jobs the su-
pervision of the Home for Aged and
Inf1rm, likewise the industrial home
schools and the unfortunate insane.
The superintendent Of insurance is di-
|rectly responsible to Commissioner Ru-
dolph. and,- jumping from the letter I
to J, we find that the jaik also comes
under. his jurisdiction. The superin-
tendent OF. /. licenses must confer with
him. He must sit in at the meetings
of the minimum wage board, and, II
that were not enough to occupy several
Evening star., 1922-09-03

hours Of his time. he must act as the
directing spirit of the municipal lodging
house.
The transportation Of paupers is
another of his duties. He is chairman
Of the penal< commission and sits in
with the physicians to the poor. The
purchasing officer consults him about
all supplies bought for the District gov
ernment. The reformatory likewise is
under his jurisdiction.
The president of the board Of Com
missioners keeps watchful eve on
matters that concern the Washington
Asylum and the workhouse, and under a
special classification we find additional
duties assigned under the heading of
Unassigned matters"
These, in part, constitute the duties
that Commissioner Rudolph has to per-
form as one Of the three members of
the board that governs the affairs Of
the citizens Of the District of Columbia
X X 4
T EFT US now see just what duties
Il have been assigned to Commissioner
James F. Oyster. Taking them alpha
betically, we find that the Office of
alienists is under his direction. He is
also the, man to whom the anatomical
board reports. The bathing beach. with
its Hundreds of thousands of patrons
every year, is directly under his juris-
Evening star., 1922-09-03

this movement, the company was
formed with q membership of fifteen.
with Mr.. Veneman as the first chief.
for the town.
An ordinary water barrel mounted
on wheels was the first apparatus
that the town boasted. Then sub
scriptions were taken throughout the
town, with the result that q hand
drawn chemical tank was purchased
at a cost of $3.50. Later several hand
fire-extinguishers were added to the
department.
The present frehouse was built in
1913. ,,
When the department started, less
than one thousand people lived in the
town. Now there are three thousand.
*.**
EoR countless years, it has been the
= ambition of nearly every boy to
be fireman, and in days, gone by he
has pictured himself riding behind
dashing fre horses. He has mentally
attired himself in the old-fashioned
leather helmet and the red or blue
flannel shirt, with the name Of his
favorite company strung across its
breast. He has, in imagination. held
aloft in his hands the silver trumpet
won by his company. Those days are
no more, Now they wear sensible
blue uniforms. Gone are the old-styfe
leather water buckets and the, side
working pumper.
"of rall volunteer companies In
Prince Georges county. none have ex-
perienced the same distinction rs
this" says Mont. Harman. the depart
mental treasurer. This company lis
considered one Of the best In the
county. Several of the other COM
panies still use the old hand-drawn
fiaesa eS Aays nDDaratna that 4 an.
Evening star., 1922-09-03

little town Of Mt. Rainier everything
was peaceful and calm. It was
quiet Sunday afternoon. Here and
there one could see happy house
holder, sitting on the porch with his
.kiddies, the wife with her sewing or
knitting. Down near the car station
and drug store were gathered little
knots of men, discussing various sub
jects. Suddenly a sharp metallic
sound fell on their ears. 'The fire
bell,", was, the cry raised. swiftly
along the various arms Of transpor-
tation spread the alarm-"The. IRE
bellv The ,nre -bell!"
What had been a peaceful Sunday
afternoon scene was suddenly turned
into action. No confusion, yet every
one on his toes. within three min
utes nearly twenty men had gathered
At the frehouse and Chief Klein gave
the command to .1et 'er out, boys"
with q wild shrek from the sirens,
the two motor trucks dashed for
Beltsville, nearly fifteen miles away.
ALL Of the officers in the depart
ment are busy men. None re-
sceive any pay for their services,
cheeffully giving what they can for
the good Of the town. Among those
officers Of the department 10 the fire
marshal. He Is the only. man that
wears . gold strap on his blue cap.
Why!. No one knows, but plenty
would like to-: The IRE marshal IN
the ofiicial investigator for the COM
pany.
Upon returning from fire. the cap
tain takes charge and sees that all
hose used at TIE hre is pulled on the
truck snb laid4out. 80 that It will dry
al quickly - possible. Then It ID
reset on the yfsek and al y rsafy
.for. the next alarm, =.
Evening star., 1922-09-03

CAPTAIN OYSTER is what is known
- as the police Commissiorler." as
that branch Of the 'city's protection
comes under his direct charge. While
it is true that he confers with the other
members Of the board concerning police
matters. the others turn practically all
police matters over to the captain.
The pound comes under his division
Of labor. as do the isolating wards Of
Providence Hospital and likewise the
Public Library. The superintendent OF
weights, measures and markets reports
to him, as does the supervisor of play
grounds The surgeons of the police
and fire departments appear before him
from time to time. He also sits with
the board of examiners Of veterinary
medicine and the veterinary Surgeon
reports to him.
The average citizen who pursues the
even tenor Of his ways. day in and
day out, perhaps has never stopped to
think Of the numerous departments and
divisions Of city government. An of
US take It for granted that there are
few departments and that these take
the reader will take the time and count
the duties that have been mentioned
he win find that the two civilian Com
missioners ,ase extremely; busy men.
We must not lose sight, however. Of the
fact that there Is q third member Of
the board, who. under the law, is ap-
pointed from the Engineer Corps Of the
Army. and IL any one has imagined that
Col. Charles Keller has nothing to do
but put on his uniform at receptions
and reviews he should peruse this arti-
|cis with care bscauss the 1zmy sspre-
Evening star., 1922-09-03

Sir william Geary, . retired Brit
ish diplomatist and colonial adminis-
traitor. has at his country seat In
England an alphabet avenue" COM
posed of rare trees brought from all
parts Of the world and the names of
which form an alphabetical sequence.
The list begins with Aspen and endi
With Zslke1a,
Evening star., 1922-09-03

of Columbia; but Congress. by various
statutes, has delegated to the Commits
sioners the power to make police, build
ting, health and other municipal reHula-
tions, and to enforce them by proper
penalties.
We find that there are some duties
which ordinarily come under the juris-
| diction of municipal authorities thai
| the Commissioners do not have. For
example, the water supply system is
under the jurisdiction Of United States
| authorities The water mains, how
ever. are constructed by order Of the
Commissioners, and all water, whether
! furnished to the citizens or to the prop
erty of the United States, is distributed
under the Jurisdiction Of the Commits
| sieners.
The board Of education Of the Dis
trict Of Columbia is appointed by the
judges Of the Supreme Court Of the Dis
trict Of Columbia, and the board OF
charities, the recorder Of deeds and the
judges Of the, municipal courts are ap-
pointed by the President Of the United
States. The Commissioners, however.
appoint the heads of all the various
municipal departments in the: District
government and also the employees Of
the District government. These en-
ployes do not come within the pro-
visions of the civil service laws, with
the exception Of the police and fire de-
partments.
One Of the duties of the Commission
ers is to submit annually to Congress
1 80 ~Aa 70
port the government Of the District OF
i, Columbia. These estimates are sub
mitted to the director Of the budget,
and as they are approved or changed by
| the director Of the budget they are
| submitted to Congress. In both the
House Of Representatives and the Sem
ate there are appropriation committees,
| with subcommittees Of five members
each, which have charge Of preparing
the appropriation bills.
The bill is first perpared in the House
Of Representatives, and during its
preparation the Commissioners are
granted hearings in order to present
to Congress the necessity for the ap-
propriations asked for. The subcon-
mittee prepares the bill and 1t is sent
to the House of Representatives. After
| 1t is passed by the House 1t Is referred
to the subcdmmittee Of the State ap-
propriations committee, and this COM
| mittee also grants hearing to the
Commissioners. It frequently changes,
by amendment, the amount of the bill
allowed by the Hoise. The Senate thsn
passes the bill with the amendments.
The bill is then referred to q confer
ence committee of three members each
Of the House and Senate subcommt-
tees. The conference committee makes
its report to the House and Senate.
The bill is then passed and, when signed
by the President 1t becomes aslaw.s
- E.k ~. ~
A Ii legislation for the District Of
= Columbia. other than appropriations,
comes under the jurisdictioY Of . COM
mittse on the District Of Columbia, OF
which there is one in the House and
another In the Senate - Whenever the
Commissioners desire to have q Law
passed they write to the chairmen Of
these, committees, recommending the
lintroduction Of bill 10 accomplish what
is desired These committees consider
such requests and, II they favor q
measure report 1t 70. ths HeHea ~
Evening star., 1922-09-03
BY STEPHEN r. TILLMAN.
p" ROM a water barrel on wheeis
~ to motorized trucks Is the rec
ord of the Mount Rainier vol
,,~<n>r Ara HanarfnAnt Its

:" ROM a water barrel bn wheels
- to motorized trucks Is the rec
ord of the Mount Rainier vol
unteer fire department Its
growth is truly interesting.
Every town and hamlet in the
country, no matter the size, needs fire
protection for it's homes. But the
smaller towns cannot support large
fire companies like their larger sister
cities. SO they must hunt for sub
stitute. For the past 200 years, here
in America, we have accepted the
volunteer system. This will sufice
for the smaller town. but not for the
large cities like Washington. Balti-
more. etc.
Mount Rainier IL really an extension
Of Rhode Island avenue northeast. Its
population is said to be between two
and three Thousand. Many q Wash
ingtonian, deprived Of the ballot here.
has moved to that peaceful commu-
nifty, so as to raise his family as true
Americans, with the right to vote in
the affairs of the government
Many people living in Washington
will recall the old days back home
where they had the volunteer system.
When the alarm was to be sounded.
some one would strike the metal hoop
in front Of the village blacksmith's
with . large sledge hammer. Out in
Mount Rainier they have substituted
. bell placed in . belfry on top Of the
firehouse for the old-fashioned hoop.
The fire company was started in
1912, when there was . large and
stubborn FIRE in the business section
Of the town. Seeing the future need
of fire company. for Washington an
paratus was used at this time, the
movement was started At once to form
| Z YoluntAsr S1mpauY. Al 4 resilf sok
Evening star., 1922-09-03

tirely too large and heavy. Naturally
"a good demonstration Of this was
given last month, when we made a
mems convention. We travelled the
distance, Of 1876 miles in day and a
half, over mountains and what-nots.
We were the only company coming
over the road with apparatus. As the
majority Of the members Of the de-
partment are employed in Washing
ton, we feel that the people in that
city have q certain amount Of pride
In the Spiders, as we are known.
John Klein. chief Of tho department,
was in charge during the, trip to
Frostburg. ~.
'aThis company is the only one in
the state Of Maryland that Is self
supporting. Other towns receive a
certain portion Of the taxes. usually
10 per cent, for the maintenance of
the department, but, we do not. Since
the first subscription list was taken
up here we have held carnivals and
yearly lawn fetes, in order to raise
funds for the department. Yet we
have reduced the .fire insurance rates
for the people here about 10 per cent.
this retards their work, especially on
lone-distance runs. The Mount Raj
nier company has two motor pieces.
ono. equipped as, q hose wagon and
the other as . chemical car. We can
and do go. anyway. s
THE writer has often wondered
: how the volunteer system work
ed. Here is a demonstration:
Not long ago two large barns near
,Beltsville caught nre. All Of the sur
rounding communities received sthe
alarm. Among those answering with
apparatus was Mt. Rainier.
when thu alsjm xss rspslyed IN the
Evening star., 1922-09-03

diction, and his is the last word con-
cerning this or that policy Of that popu-
lar playground and resort. AS a Com
missioner he is ex-officio trustee OF
Columbia Hospital, and the work Of the
coroner also is under his supervision.
The board of dental examiners confers
with him on each meeting day. The
fire department is under Capt. Oyster,
and while it is true that the capable
chief of the department, George Wat
son, is in direct charges yet in matters
Of policy Capt Oyster has the last word
to say.
Continuing alphabetically, we find
that the fish wharf and market, the
Of food are supervised by him. The
isolating wards of Garfield Hospital are
also under him. The harbormaster
must pay heed to suggestions or orders
of Capt. Oyster, as must the officials of
the health Office. The free public
library officials report to him and must
submit to him such plans or changes as
they may desire.
The markets are all under the direc-
tion of the second member of the board.
He likewise confers with the boards of
medical examiners and the board OF
medical supervisors. The custodian of
the morgue. should he desire to make
any change, submits his proposition to
Commissioner Oyster. As ex,ofilcio
trustee of the National Training School
for Boys, he has an opportunity to see
that the lads receive such care and at
tention as are necessary, and the nurses
examining board confers with him when
ever occasion arises He sits with the
board Of pharmacy and confers with
those in charge af the Fairgrounds Of
the city.
Evening star., 1922-09-03
Do You Know How Your Own District Government Is Run

Thee Into eFatW Learnt System
oPowaoD oDmandAn FafL alton Elected by VoA@av Once
abyG -HwVa AraydD DeL Now
fRevnue nFealRe eahom dGov
Evening star., 1922-09-03

'sSTHAT Washington really has q
chaperoned form of government Is
best proved by the fact that the Con-
.s,itution of, the United States provides
tahat Congress- shaliexercise- exclusive
Legislative iurisdsction eysr shA District
The Crittenden press., 1922-04-07
NEw REGISTRATION Law

an eitifsns - ksniucky must
register hereafter in order to vote.
made so hy ths enactment ~ q lac
hy the Icceui session II the lsFisla
iurs. passing both houses over Gov
efuor Mouusa veto. Tho ODD lav
did uot requifr oiiirsus LIVING in thc
country disificis to register Tho nev
Law reauirsa al eililsns 10 register.
bot the man uf Woman who Registers
once is not required o. register agaln
in llfs time. unless hs of she
chsngss b. or bee address
Tho hrsi ifsnefal registration in
kcniu5ky Will take place in iuly, the
registration oalcsIs being named hy
ihe County E'cfiloh Boards and must
b. divided equally between the to-
pariiss o. september ihsTr sill D.
another rsfisiuiian a. take carr uf
those Who failed o. register in iuly
The Law provides Coz q uss rsrlsila.
tlon each ysat 10 take care ~ us~
voters.
The Crittenden press., 1922-04-07
DIES m NORTH DAKOTA

From the Golden Valley { N. d.
AwerioAh ws learn Of the death In
that city of James Monroe Allison.
76 yean old. who left this county
some twenty foe yean ago 10 make
his home IN the west.
Mr. Allison Was twice married,
both wives being from this county.
Prom his marriage 10 Miss Mary
Hoover In iss0. two sons were born.
Berry Allison and Alpha Allison, the
latter of whom survives him. In
iss7 he vas married 10 Miss Tsnna
CLARK and thres sons were born. e.
mo. Curtis and Taylor, ell 0f whom
preosdsd their father 70 the grave,
His wife survives.
Ths many relatives and friends of
The deceased IN this county vill learn
With regret Of his passing sway.
The Crittenden press., 1922-04-07
AIRS. ALBEIT BUTLER
PASSES AWAY

Mn Laura Belle Butler. wife Of
Albert Butler. died At her home near
Salem. Thursday. March 10 of par.
alysis. aged 81 years Before her
marriage 90 years ago shs vas Misa
Laura Belle Glenn. daughter of y.
n and Susan y Glenn.
Mu Butler has been sincs girl.
hood . member of the Baptist church
and wss Tor many years q Sunday
School teacher. Funeral services
were held At the salem Baptist
church conducted By the pastor. Rev
J W. Vallandingham. Burial ser.
vice was held At Pineknsyvills where
the remains were laid 10 rest In the
flEcknsyville eemetery.
Besides her husband shs is suryiy.
81 By seven children, Kirby q. But.
lsr of Salem, Ernest Butler. Of Ma.
Tion; Mrs. W u summers Of Tex.
a.; Hsrschsll Al. Butler of salem;
Earl G.. Butler of rsSaa; Mrs. Roy
Waddsll. of Salem, and Mrs. Robt.
Ryan Of Rsducah
The Crittenden press., 1922-04-07
ELECTRIC LIGHT FRANCHISE
PURCHASED ~ u. L.. MOORE

At public auction sale Monday
the 20-year elecire light franchise
was purchased by Dr H. l.. Moore
for $3.50. his being the only bid 70.
ceived
A. a meeting of the City Council
Monday night the Lid was accepted.
DE- Moore paid for the franchise
and executed a $1,000 bond for the
furnishing u lights, power and heat
Tor the city within aix months. d.
Moore has not decided a. yet whether
be- vii build a plant. purchase ma.
chinsry and furnish hia own current
or build q transmission line h. Prime.
ION and connect with uuiiliiy Co and
get the current from there
Fuller particulars will be- given
later
The Crittenden press., 1922-04-07
THE FARM BUREAU

Some of the people of our county.
lard ] am sorry to saw some of them
are farmers are opposed bitterly 10
the County Agent and the Farm Blu.
reau They say That the Farm Bu-
reau IA not accomplishing anything
aud that the County Agent is not
worth the salary paid him By the
County. ! ash those people who
think this way - please note the fol
lowing facts
On Friday and Saturday u lAsi
week the Critisndsn County Farm
Bureau loaded a car of chickens. The
price paid for these chickens was
~ ~ cents per pound Tor hens and
10 cents per lb for cocks. Prior 10
this the local buyers were paying ~
cta per ID for hens and 2 cents for
cocks. This was @ i.2c psr pound
less on hens and , cents per pound
less on cocks than the Farm bureau
paid Tie Farm Bureau hought
itbst pounds u hens and iiaG lbs
u cocks Tho lts9l lb of hsns At
% ~ cents EQUALS fs02 81 The L.
i56 pounds u ooeks a. . equals
t1i o. or tssC 70 total profits that
tho Farm Bureau paid b. the people
Of the county above the price the 10.
eal dealer. had been paying The
Farm Bureau and County Agent we're
dirsrtly responsibls for this sum of
money being plHred In the hands u
the people Of the county and the PEI
pie ere Jasi that sun better "a than
th-s ~euld have been u he bureau
and County Agent had not intsrfsred
~ith local conditions
Also they ~srs Indirectly respon.
sibls Tor other gains Tor when ths
Bureau boosted the price Of chickens
ai lee,t two u The local dealers met
these prices Tho local dealers han
died aboui s2o0 pounds u poultry
which aocordins u ihs bsst Informs,
ton that oould b. obiAinsd. yielded
ths people u the county about $500
sore than they would hass recsiyed
81 The price u ehicksns before the
fATm Bureau begun lis operations
tsa6 rs lamouni ths bureau clear
I'd for the peopisl plus 500 .amouni
ths loeal buyers cleared fof M pso-
pis by msstinr tbs Farm bureau
pficsal eaaals tia96
Nov you will rsmemhef that ths
Fiscal Court ar9topriaisd only 5000
Tor The County Agents salary and
herr u is pad bach % ths people u
the cuunty IN iust two days tins.
GEO " cONDIrT. Sec..
Cnttsnden County Fam Bureau
The Crittenden press., 1922-04-07
TEACHERS EXAMINATION

The nesi isaehsfa' examination will
b. held in May on the thini ffiday
and Saturday. .'ihs isih and 2uih. Ths
a. stions ou Theory and Practice for
che YEAR ~ill b. hassd On The Course
of Study and The Classroom Teacher
~ scfaysf and lnrlshafdt The An.
eiican hook Go have ssnt = few
oopies ~ this b,ok 10 my cnics which
teachers may sscufv for siab
80 hiFh school of normal woft
vii b. required 10 enter the Nav OF
June sssmlnailns ihis year. Afisf
duly "a before en- applicant can On.
tef . teachers examination one year
high school wsfL and Eve weeks NOT.
NAL training vii b. required Ger.
iihoates iu fafcs aTs euod Cor the
time for which lhey were nsued and
ars not Affected by q change In la~
j. l.. b PARIS. Sapi.