Evening star., 1933-12-31


Commissioners were supplemented by
the preparation Of legislation to permit
the District to drink 80 beer and
stronger alcoholic beverages, in ac-
cordance with the liberties allowed un-
der repeal of the eighteenth amend
ment. The beer bill was enacted into
law early in April.
The liquor bill. however. has not
reached the legislative stages. The
Commissioners, after public hear
ing, framed a measure which is now
on Capitol Hill awaiting action.
The liquor bill approved by the Com
missioners is revision of the original
draft prepared by Corporation Counsel
William w. Bride and his assistant
Vernon West. More liberal than the
original Bride draft, the approved
measure provides for establishment of
a general license system under whicn
private concerns would be given right
to sell liquor either by the drink, In
bona fide restaurants. incorporated
clubs or hotels. or in sealed container
form in retail stores.
Licensing of liquor stores would be
placed under the supervision of an
alcoholic beverage control board Of
D, d
pointed by the Commissioners within
Is days after the enactment of the
bill
The Commissioners, under their own
bill, also would be given broad and def
mite powers over the licensed liquor
traffic, including the designation Of dis
tances from schools. churches and Gov
ernment institutions within which
sales Of liquor might be barred.
Lort0n Food Riots
Mar Administration.
Food riots among prisoners at the
District reformatory at Lorton. Va,
were the only incidents which marred
an otherwise tranquil and peaceful ad-
miniStTation for the Commissioners
July, these riots were suppressed by re-
moval to Federal penitentiarieS of pris-
oners identified with the trouble. Sixty
26 to Lewisburg, Pa. Near the close of
the year the prisoners sent to Atlanta
were returned on their promise to ad-
here strictly to Lorton etiquette.
AS a result of these riots, Alexander
c. Tawse, superintendent of the re-
formatory, resigned, and his place was
taken by Col w. L. Peak, for IA years
superintendent Of the District jail.
The only other incident, though re-
garded trivially, was the attack ON
Fire Chief George S. Watson by Paul
E. Jameson, attorney for the City
F1refghters' Association. He charged
the fire chief with being too autocratic
and an efficiency fanatic" His
charges were referred to Assistant
Corporation Counsel Edward w.
Thomas for investigation, and in a re-
port to Corporation Counsel Bride re-
Gently he generally approved Watson's
administration.
Administration OF the Police Depart
ment by Maj. Ernest w. Brown, and
the TRAFFIC Department by William A.
Van DuZer were not marked by any
unusual incidents during 1898.
Maj. Brown made notable strides to-
ward completing his plans for in
creasing the efficiency Of the force,
and Van Duzer succeeded in adding a
few additional traffic lights to the vast
network Of signals now scattered
throughout the District. The latest
addition in the system of lights was
lights were placed ON Pennsylvania
avenue between Four -and-a-Half street
and Fourteenth street.
New Experiments
in Traffic Planned.
Van Duzer, at the direction Of the
Commissioners, Is now planning to ex
pertinent with q new traffic scheme for
facilitating the movement of vehicles
by making Thirteenth street one-way
thoroughfare during rush hours be-
tween Massachusetts, avenue and Kan
Sas avenue. The plan contemplateS al
lowing only southbound traffic to use
the thoroughfare during the morning
rush hour, from 8 to $50 O'Clock, and
northbound traffic in the afternoon
from to 6 o'clock.
Scheduled to go into effect the latter
part Of the year, the one-way operation
has been postponed until early in the
ment may be extended to other main
traffic arteries.
In addition to directing the activities
of the Police Department. Maj Brown
initiated a movement for the establish
ment of neighborhood boys clubs in
police precinct stations which have
gymnasium facilities. The initial club
is now being equipped in the existing
fourth precinct station at Fifth and E
streets southeast. Prominent business
men and others interested in the move
ment contributed financial aid.
Maj. Brown also has shown his In
terest in the citizens associations Of
the District by offering them the free
use Of precinct stations for their meet
ings, and instructing the commanding
officers of the precincts to attend the
gatherings in their respective territories.
In public utilities, the year was
marked by the actual merger of the
street car companies, under authority
of Congress, and the beginning of a
revaluation Of the properties of the
Washington and Georgetown Gas Light
Companies Another event of impor-
tance was the resignation of Maj. Gen.
Mason M. Patrick as a member of the
Public Utilities Commission. The year
closed ,.ithn11t the tilli1,u of this posi-