davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1924-12-31
Fire Department.

Members of Chief George s. Wat
sons force Of fire fighters the past
wear received numerous commenda-
tfons for their effective work in pre-
venting the spreading of threaten
ing fires There were only three in
stances in which losses totaled more
than 100000, the heaviest involving
a loss of $316,292 on the premises OF
the Norfolk and Washington Steam
boat Company, foot of Seventh street
southwest, the night of January 26.
The total number of calls made
upon the fremen during the year was
2.676, and the total losses aggre-
gated sS9S,007. There were 23S false
alarms and At calls for aid in Mary
land and Virginia. Officials of the
department recalled that the false
alarms caused an unusual amount of
annoyance and resulted in traffic ac-
cidents in several instances.
Only two deaths in the ranks of
firemen occurred during the year.
They involved Capt. J. r. Steele, No.
II Engine Company, and Pvt. j. w.
Hurdle of No. 1 Engine Company.
Legislative enactment enabled Chief
Watson to make provision for giving
members of the department one day
off each week--the most important
two-platoon system.
In order to give the one day off
each week, Congress provided for the
and made IL necessary TO provide six
Continued on Page Twenty -tkFsA.S
Evening star., 1924-12-31
Congress and the District.

For the first time in nearly half a
century Congress abandoned the plan
of appropriating for the District un-
der a definite, fixed proportion to be
borne by the Federal Government and
the District of Columbia. Abandon
ing the s0-40 plan. which succeeded
the half-and half plan provided in
the so-called organic act of 1878, a
lump sum of approximately $4,000, 900
was contributed from the Federal
Treasury as the National Govern
ment's share in the upkeep and de-
velopment of the Capital city.
Important legislation affecting the
public schools was put through, in
Guiding the teachers salary bill.
This measure provides more adequate
salaries for the school teachers and
officials. 1t in effect reorganizes the
administrative and teaching force and
definitely grades them, with oppor-
tunities for promotion and increase
through efficient work and continued
service.
The so-called compulsory educa-
ton BILL" which provides for the
schooling of all children from to 16
years of age, and for school census
in the District was passed by the
Senate and is awaiting action in the
House. In both houses the Board of
Education five-year school building
program bill was introduced and ef-
forts will be made to obtain favor
a BILE consideration.
Congress put through salary in
creases for the Police and Fire Depart
ments, establishing a reorganization
of both forces and providing for one
day off in seven in lieu of Sunday.
This resulted in an increase in both
forces.
A gasoline tax of two cents per
gallon on all gasoline bought in the
District was established by law, the
automobile license fee being reduced
to 81 a year. The establishment of the
gasoline tax was in pursuance of a
plan agreed upon by the Maryland
and District authorities for reciprocity
in the use of the highways of Mary
land and the District. The money
raised by the gasoline tax is being
use as special fund for a specific
program of street improvements.
Salaries of all the District employees
as we'll as those of the Federal Gov
ernment in the departmental service
in the District were increased in ac-
cordance with the reclassification act.
Congress, looking to the future de-
velopment of the Capital and it's park
system, created THE National Capital
Park Commission" with authority to
take for park purposes desirable tracts
of land that otherwise might be used
for building sites, and thereby to pro-
tect the forestation and springs that
would be despoiled.
Steps taken by the Senate may lead
to the appropriation of s14,000,O0O to
construct the memorial bridge across
the Potomac River to the Virginia
shore from a point near the Lincoln
Memorial A bill for this purpose has
been passed and awaits consideration
in the House.
Evening star., 1924-12-31
Public Utilities.

The year 1924 will stand out as an
eVentful era in the history of public
utility regulation in Washington as a
result Of the settlement by compromise
of the long-pending dispute over cleo
trio light rates
This settlement not only made possi-
BILE an immediate reduction from 10 to
ia cents In the rate for electricity per
kfowatt hour but also opened the way
for the adjustment of the valuations of
the Washington Railway and Electric
Co., the Capital Traction Co. and the
Washington and Georgetown Gas Light
Companies. These companies filed
suits in court several years ago
against the values placed on their
properties by the commission, but the
cases were left standing pending set
tlement of the Potomac Electric
Power case, in which the same prin-
ciples were involved.
In addition to obtaining a reduction
of 25 per cent in the price Of electric
ity. consumers also will have returned
to them $2,S00,000 Of the money that
had been impounded during the seven
years Of litigation. An equal sum was
awarded the company in the settle
ment
The agreement reached with the
power company disposed at the same
time Of the troublesome problem of how
the question of depreciation of the
property should be handled. The COM
pany agreed to adopt sinking fund
for depreciation Of $4,000, 900. on which
the interest Of per cent will go into
earnings, thereby reducing the amount
that will have to be collected from rate
payers for the expense of depreciation.
AS the year came to close the Util-
4..e24 4So.nmissi9n also was making in
Evening star., 1924-12-31

Inauguration OF several movements s
which already have brought substan-
| tial benefit to the National Capital
and promotion of many projects look
ing to the further development of this
city mark the successful past years
work of local trade organizations
The Washington Board of Tade the
Washington Chamber of Commerce
and the Merchants and Manufacturers
Associa ton, comprising in their MEM
berships most of the outstanding
leaders in civic life here, have per-
sistently pushed ahead their respec-
tive programs, and in gratifying
measure have seen their tireless ef-
forts crowned with progress and
achievement.
In a retrospect of the closing year
probably an outstanding accomplish
ment of the Board of Trade has been
the National Capital Park Commits
sion. This measure originated in the
Board of Trade and has met with sue
cess largely through the exhaustive
efforts of the parks and playground
committee under Fred G. Coldren.
The bill creates a commission to
direct the park system of Washington
and provides for the annual expendi-
ture Of s1,000,000 for the enlargement
and improvement of the local parks
and Fairgrounds.
Conduit Appropriate ton Backed.
The securing of a $500, 600 addi-
tional appropriation last year for the
new conduit to supply water for
Washington home consumption was
an accomplishment of the Boards
water supply committee under the
Craftsmanship of Frank r. Weller.
Appropriations for the reclamation
of Anacostia Flats from Bennfng
Bridge to the District line, another
accomplishment of the parks and
reservations committee. is another
outstanding feature of the year
work of the Board.
The public safety committee under
Odell S. Smith has backed the better
pay and time-off measures in Con-
gress for the police and fremen OF
the District besides making surveys
of the need of additional policemen
and new precinct stations.
New bridges in place of Pennsyl-
vania Avenue Bridge, Chain Bridge
and the erection of the Memorial
Bridge have been urged and in
| f1uential work has been done by the
bridge committee under the chair
| manship of George w. Offutt. Ma
| tional representation has been con-
| tinually urged throughout the year.
| particularly by the committee on ma
| tional representation under the chair
| manship of Theodore ". Noyes
Back Many Measures.
Other committees have been active
| in making surveys and recommends
| tions. Among these were the schools
| committee under Paul L. Lesh, the
| traffic committee under w. Pierce
Raynor. the medical committee under
| DR.. Percy Hickling.
All the organizations have CO.
! operated in such things as a larger
| police force, better schools, and the
| betterment of conditions generally in
the District, in addition to the various
| measures that have been Of particular
| interest to the individual organiza-
| tions.
Evening star., 1924-12-31

ing the District to spend it's surplus
for the purposes mentioned, has
passed the Senate and is on the
House calendar
Although the District is today free
from debt and the possessor of a sur
plus, of more than s5.000,000, Mai.
Daniel ]. Donovan, auditor. pointed
out that the surplus would not exist
had the city been permitted during
and after the war to meet its physi-
cal requirements in the form of school
buildings, street paving, sewer con-
struction. lights and similar needs.
100000 Fund Raised.
In 1922 Congress, in adopting the
60-40 ratio OF providing for the Ma
tional Capital, directed the Commits
sioners to create within five years a
cash fund sufficient to operate the
municipal machinery from the begin
ming Of each fiscal year in July until
taxes are collected in November and
May. Heretofore the United States
has advanced the funds, being reim-
bursed when local taxes are col
lected.
Maj. Donovan stated that approxi-
mately S2.000.000 has already been
set aside toward this cash working
fund. 1t was at first estimated that
the raising of s3,0oo,o 900 surplus by
1897 would enable the city to pay its
monthly bills during the period pre-
ceding collection of taxes in Novem-
ber. Since 1922. however, the total
of the annual appropriations for the
District have gone up from approx
mateiy s23,000,000 to more than
$29, ,000, 900, making necessary larger
amount for the cash working fund.
Tax Rate Increased.
In 1924 Congress temporarily de-
parted from the time e-honored prin-
ciple of bearing fixed percentage of
the cost of maintaining the Federal
City by appropriating for the current
fiscal year q lump sum of s9.000,0 900
as Uncle Sans share. This tenn
porary change in the fiscal relations
made the Districts share of this
years appropriation act $4,000, 900
greater than 1t would have, been un-
der the 60-40 ratio. Current appro-
priations total $30.00o,00o Under the
60-40 plan the Federal Government
would have paid s12,000,0O0.
The Commissioners have let IL be
known that they will endeavor to
have Congress restore the fixed per-
centage method as being a more
equitable way of maintaining the Ma
tion's city.
In order to meet the increased bur-
den placed on local taxpayers by the
lump-sum appropriation for this year
the Commissioners had to increase the
tax rate in July from $1.20 to S1.40
per 500 of assessed full value on real
estate and on tangible PERSONAL
property.
Building development in all sec
tions of the District during the last
fiscal year resulted in the addition
of approximately s40,000,000 to the
total assessed value of real estate
on the District tax books. Much of
this building activity in the suburbs,
however, served to increase the need
for paved streets, sewer, water and
light facilities for these new COM
munities.
Evening star., 1924-12-31

nation potects, and during the year
he obtained legislation providing re-
lief to many thousands OF settlers on
Federal projects.
Considerable embarrassment was
caused the administration by the
Senate investigation of the admins
! tration of the Department OF Justice,
which resulted finally in the dismissal
OF Attorney General Daugherty. Dur
! ing the turmoil incident to this and
the so-called oil scandal the Presi-
dent started a reform in the Veterans
Bureau. which resulted in discovery
OF irregularities. laxity, inefficieucy
and fraud in the bureau. The bureau
| was reorganized and the Department
or Justice brought about the prosecu-
| tion of Charles r. Forbes the di-
rector.
Among the more important appoint
| ments to Federal office made by the
President during the year were those
OF Harlan r. Stone of New York, to
succeed Harry N. Daugherty as At
| torney General: Curtis d. Wilbur of
California, to succeed Edwin DENLY as
| Secretary of the Navy; Howard NJ.
| Gore OF West Virginia. as Secretary
of Agriculture. to succeed Henry WAL
lace, who died early in the Fall, and
Joseph c. Grew, who had been Min
lister to Switzerland, to be Under
secretary of State.
During the campaign the President
remained in Washington, making
only a few speeches. In fact he has
travelled very little during the year.
He went to Plymouth his old Ver-
mont home, to bury his son, and later
went there for a Today vacation. He
made few short Journeys, two to
New York, one to Philadelphia, one to
Baltimore and one to Chicago. His
Journeys away from the Capital have
been of brief duration and mostly
have been confined to cruises on the
Potomac over the week ends aboard
! the Maynower
Evening star., 1924-12-31

Still appealing plaintively for ade-
quate accommodations for it's $1,000
pupils, the District public school sys-
tenn has struggled through another
year in its cramped, antiquated and
poorly lighted physical equipment. The
calendar year 1924 brought little in the
way OF improved or increased facilities,
and at its close found school author
tiles prepared to besiege Congress with
a fiveyear school improvement program
designed to lift the system out of its
now chronic state of building lethargy.
A survey Of school accommodations
on November 1, showed that AS ad-
ditional rooms are needed TO eliminate
the undesirable and makeshift facili-
ties in which approximately 10000
children are housed. The current
District appropriation ignores this
situation entirely; there's not an item
in it for new schoolhouse construc-
ton.
Evening star., 1924-12-31

Professionally. however, the year
1924 will be looked upon in years to
come as one of the most important in
the history Of education in the District
II marks the passage Of the teachers
salary BILL which provides a new wage
schedule for all educational employees
Of the board Of education. 1t marks,
also. the classification of all other en-
ployes-janitors, medical inspectors,
nurses and clerks-under the provisions
OF reclassification legislation, which
provided increased compensation for
these workers.
Lack OF harmony among certain
members OF the board OF education
was manifest throughout the year
and eliminated at the final meeting
of 1924 with a threat by Capt. Julius
/. Peyser to punch the face" of
James T. Lloyd, the board president.
The only changes in the boards per-
sonnel was the passing of Mrs Ray
Evening star., 1924-12-31

superintendent for number of years
and was transferred to the Central
principalship October /, 1928. The
other two positions, that of first as
sistant superintendent of colored
schools, and chief of the board of ex-
aminers, were filled through the pro-
motion of Garnet G. Wilkinson, assist
ant superintendent in charge of col
ored schools, and the appointment of
Harry English to head the board of
! examiners. Miss Marion Shadd, super
vising principal was advanced to the
| assistant superintendency, succeeding
Mr.. Wilkinson.
One Of the major actions of the
board of education during the year
was the adoption of the two sport
rule. which prohibits high school
students from participating in more
| than two major sports. The major
sports are classified as foot ball, base
! ball, basket ball and track.
Evening star., 1924-12-31

Quiry into the earnings Of the Chesa-
peake and Potomac Telephone Co. to
determine whether those rates should
be reduced at this time.
Bus Rates Increased.
In the telephone case a decision is
expected early in the new year. The
company has asked the commission
to give consideration to a new ap-
| praisement Of its property, now be-
ing prepared.
The commission granted two in
creases in fare to the Washington
Rapid Transit Company during 1924.
| The company contended for straight
| l0-cent fare. The commission in
April raised the rate from cents
cash to 10 cents for a cash ride. but
| with tokens at the rate of for %
| cents. A few weeks ago the COM
mission raised the token rate to five
| for 4o cents. effective in February,
| 1928.
Another bit of history made during
| 1924 was the granting of permission
| to the transit company to bring double
decker busses to Washington for use on
| Sixteenth street. also effective by Feb
ruary.
In March the Capital Traction Com
! pany was authorized to extend It's
| Randle Highlands bus line from Sew
enteenth street and Pennsylvania
avenue southeast to Eastern High
School.
The following month X also au-
thorized the Washington Railway
| and Electric Company to establish a
bus line across the eastern section of
| the city from Fifteenth and II streets
northeast to Eleventh and CT streets
southeast, touching Eastern High
| School en- route.
Telephone Rates Studied.
In the Spring Of the year the Fed
Grafton of Citizens Associations,
| through William Nick. Clayton, ap-
piled for a reduction in telephone
rates, but the commission found that
cut was not justified at that time.
A few months ago the commission re-
opened the question by inaugurating
an inquiry itself into telephone earn
| ings.
In May the commission at the re-
quest of the Northwest Suburban
| Citizens Association re-established
| through car service from Tenley-
| town to the heart of the city and out
to Lincoln Park. At the same time,
| however, the commission curtailed
the 1-cent intercompany transfer
| privilege at Wisconsin avenue and
NJ street by having 1t apply only to
| points west of Wisconsin avenue.
In July Walter C. Allen resigned as
executive secretary to the commits
sion and was succeeded by Earl v.
| Fisher, former chief accountant.
ii. october Engineer Commissioner
| Bell assigned his new assistant, Maj.
| w. E. r. Covell of the Engineer Corps
| of the Army, TO devote his time en-
tirely to public utility Investigations.
Evening star., 1924-12-31

mond B. Morgan and William l.
Houston, whose terms expired, and
the appointment of Mrs. Lillian Y.
Heron and Rev. F. I. A. Bennett to
replace them.
A number of important shifts and
appointments were made in the ad-
ministrative STAFF as result of the
passage OF the teachers salary
bin. Although the measure was
signed by President Coolidge on June
4, the new offices could not be filled
until December, when Congress passed
the deficiency appropriation bill, maxi
ing the salaries available.
Omcinls Are Promoted.
The outstanding change was the
appointment OF Stephen L. Kramer,
principal of Central High School, as
first assistant superintendent OF pub
lio schools-one of the three new
positions created in the teachers pay
bill. Mr.. Kramer was an assistant
Evening star., 1924-12-31
District Finances.

The municipal government of the
District closes the year 1894 free from
debt. On August / the 50-year 3.65
per cent bonds-the only form of in
debtedness the city had-terminated,
and the sinking fund assets in the
United States Treasury were ample
to retire the issue.
The municipality also approaches
the new year with approximately
$5,27s,000 of surplus revenues still to
its credit in the Treasury, with the
prospect that the money will soon
be made available by Congress for
the purchase of Fairgrounds, school
sites and the erection of school
buildings. Thg Ph.pps siil, aat.ieli..
Evening star., 1924-12-31
District of Columbia Has Witnessed Many Interesting During
Wilson Funeral, Defense Test,
Holy Name Meet Loom in 1924
With Championship Base Bali Series Are
Outstanding Euents for Size of
Crowds attracted.

The funeral of former President
Woodrow Wilson, the observance OF
the first National Defense day. the
gathering in Washington of 0,000
members of the Holy Name Society in
annual convention and the world
championship base ball games are
among the events that called forth
the largest crowds in 1894 in the Ma
tons Capital.
on Sunday morning, February 3, the
people of the District and of the coun-
try at large were moved to sorrow by
the news that the man who guided
the destiny of America through the
trying days of the world war had
succumbed to his lingering Illness.
Perhaps the people of Washington
felt the death of the former Presi-
dent more keenly because they were
his neighbors during the years of the
war and afterward.
Capital Pauses i'm Tribute.
On the afternoon of Wednesday
February s, Washington paused in its
daily routine while thousands of its
residents lined the sidewalks of Mas
sachusetts avenue in silence as the
funeral cortege passed from the Will
son home on street to the Episcopal
Cathedral of IS. Peter and Paul al
Mount St Alban.
There, in the utmost simplicity, the
body was laid to rest in the sanctu-
ary of Bethlehem Chapel. And in the
succeeding months many persons have
visited the cathedral to honor the
memory of Woodrow Wilson.
On September IL Washington livet
up TO it's reputation for nationa
patriotism by turning out for
parade on Pennsylvania avenue II
her nf hn Not IOa
fense day test. 1t Is estimated tha
the District registered 1900 oneida,
volunteers in the test.
Reviewed by Coolidge.
The parade was made more color
full by the participation of marching
units from the Army, Navy and Ma
rine Corps and was reviewed b!
President Coolidge, members of hi:
cabinet and other high Government
officials.
On Sunday afternoon. September 81
Washington witnessed an impressiv.
religious demonstration when 100,
600 members of the Holy Name
Society from various States of the
Union gathered here and marched VI
Pennsylvania avenue to the Monument
Grounds, where they were addressed
by President Coolidge.
The procession closed the three
day convention of the society, which
was attended by $500 delegates.
Election day, In November, served to
emphasize the fact that Washing
tonians still are deprived of the right
TO vote for President and representa-
tion in Congress. Its people, how
ever, displayed their interest in public
affairs by f1ocking downtown to
watch the returns from the Nation.
Evening star., 1924-12-31

promoted to lieutenant colonel in No
vember.
Following the death of Building
Inspector John Healy, Mai. John
Oehmann. assistant. was promoted to
head Of the inspection force.
Burt A. Miller resigned as super
intendent of insurance and was sue
ceeded by Thomas NJ Baldwin, jr.,
who also had been an assistant in that
office
Evening star., 1924-12-31
The District Courts

Litigation in the District of CO.
lumbia reached it's peak in 1924. Not
only was there a decided increase in
the number of new cases filed but a
great many of the proceedings took
on national Importance. A member
of Congress was indicted for alleged
conspiracy to violate the national
prohibition act; former cabinet Of
El Mundo. [volume] (San Juan, P.R.) 1919-1990, 1924-03-14
Ianlac di6 I'm a yarios amos
de sufrinliento
Fl scior Olson Declars que AkOra Disfuta de
Mejor Salad ] Energla en- Todos Senfidos


Ell sr. Christian Olsen, que reside
en- cl bsrrio vista Aegrc, calle c, NJ.
$40, 1ayam6n, Puerto Rico, es otra de
las personas en- Quien ell tratanlierto
Tanlac prOdlIjO Ia curacion de males
que lie hanisn drrado Huchos snos. FL
sr. Olsen dijo hace POGO:
"Antes de llegar Puerto Rico, ha-
ce veinticuatro amos, sufrf un ataque
agudo de reu1natisno, que dssde en-
tonces me na amagado de veg en- Guam
do. Tambi6n sufri durante varios amos
de estrsEiniientO, q pesar de some
terme a IN regimen estristo, tenia
siempre trastornado Ell est6mago.
.Hace algunos afio7, dsj6 de tomar
medicinas, pero nace pocos meses esta-
Sa tan agotado, que me dicidf a to-
El Mundo. [volume] (San Juan, P.R.) 1919-1990, 1924-03-14
FLoTA DE LA coMPANrA

Dos bnques de carga fueron COM
prados por la compania durante Ell afio,
de omodo que tiene al presente una no.
Ia de cinco vapores con un total de
casi $4,000 toneladas, Estos vapores
estAn' ajustados especialmente al ira
fico dc miel y de azdcar y 10 hacen
possible que la cOmpafia pueda embar-
car la production de Cunagua de
Jaronl hasta los muelles de Ia refine
RIA y tambi6n pueda transporter car
gas de azicar refnado en- el trafco a
10 largo de Ia costa de los Essados
Unidos. Durante Ell afio fueron trans
portadas 24s,476 toneladas de carga
incluyendo azdcar crudo. azdcar re-
fnaio, nliel dc purga y materiales pa
ra los centrales cubanos.