Evening star., 1935-08-04
Fifty Years Ago
In The Star

Fifty years ago The Star was engaged
in a determined fight against the use of
overhead wires for the
"Hes anu transmission Of electric
Thieves. current. a fight that was
eventually successful. July
81. 1885, The Star said:
"A new terror is given to overhead
wires in cities, and especially 10 their
attachment to dwelling houses. by the
ease with which they can be utilized by
thieves, who are enabled TO enter private
houses for purposes of robbery. under
the pretense that they are sent TO repair
the line thus located. Such an instance
occurred in this city yesterday where
the thief was fortunately detected in his
shrewdly planned game and caught; and
no doubt more than one mysterious rob-
berry has occurred here and elsewhere
by the same ingenious plan. The only
safe rule in all such cases is for the oc-
cupants Of house TO compel all apply
ing workmen to show a written order
from their employer or other recognized
authority and even then it isn't a bad
precaution to have some one convenient
ly occupied so as to see what is going on.
Despite the establishment Of a general
water supply system. Washington relied
TO a considerable extent
'ePalis half century ago upon
to Pumps. the pumps that were TO
be found here and there
throughout the city. The Star of August
!, 1885, says:
Scarcely a day passes that COM
munication Is not received by The Star
inquiring or complaining about pumps
in various parts Of the city and asking
the good offices of this journal toward
having them put in good working order.
Sometimes q new stock is needed; per-
haps the plunger wants repairing; oc-
casionally the spout or lip leaks so that
the water Splashes wildly about; oftener
than anything the expected cup is missed
by the thirsty wayfarer. who seeks to
cool his parched lips; but every time, as
with the carter in the fable, Jupiter is
called on to render aid.
I'm The Star of last Saturday was
printed about all the information on the
pump subject that could be gained from
the officials, and it was fondly hoped
that, in view of the facts therein given.
future communications relating to it
would be addressed to the District Com
miSSionerS. instead of to the newspapers.
Only the former have discretionary pow
ers in the premises, with the means to
make such repairs as are considered
most essential. and they alone canrender
any aid. officially. InaSmuch however,
as it appears that the fund in their hands
for this purpose is inadequate, there
would seem to be no great improperly
In those living in the neighborhood of
the several disabled pumps and relying
on them for their water supply, making
a little collection among themselves and
having the necessary repairs made on
their own account. Doubtless a permit
to that effect would be cheerfully given
by the District authorities If applied for
1t is respectfully suggested also that if
the thirsty wayfarer' who so often fails
to find the expected cup attached to a
pump would step to neighboring store
and buy one. with few feet Of light
chain, and put them securely in place, he
would be doing a vastly better service
than by writing about the matter to the
newspapers. The expenditure of both
time and money would be very slight,
and, besides, he would be consoled for his
small outlay by the reflection that he
had unostentatiously conferred a really
valuable benefit on his fellow man."