Evening star., 1947-10-05
Fifty Years Ago

The most destructive fre" IN WaSh1ngtonS
history up to that time was reported in The Star
for September 80, 1897. Practically the entire
powerhouse of the Capital
Prodioous Traction Railway Co., occu-
ConfIoo roton pying the block bounded by
Thirteen and half, D,
Fourteenth and E streets NV. was wrecked by
flames. Much damage likewise was done to
nearby structures. The total property loss was
estimated at over a million dollars. 1t was de-
cared that: "The origin of the disaster will
probably never be determined" John Schofeld,
a watchman, discovered the blaze at 11:1o pm.
As soon as the alarm was received at the fire
department stations Of the city, all available
personnel and equipment hastened to the scene.
THE spectacle was one of stupendous mag
nincence." Many hours passed before the fire.
men finished their work. Meanwhile, r. Edwin
Joyce. representing the traction company, dis
tributed coffee and sandwiches, and was much
praised by those who witnessed his labors"
A telegram to The Star of September 20, 1897
from Port Townsend Wash, announced the
arrival there of the revenue cutter
Auriferous Grant from Unalaska with news
coroo that the steamer Portland soon
would be in with Ia big crowd Of
returning miners" and three tons Of gold This
prospective increase in the amount of yellow
metal in circulation was a lot In those days and
still is a considerable quantity. Half q dozen
such accessions would be very helpful to Britain
il they could come sailing up the receptive
Thames between now and Christmas. Gold was
precious everywhere half q century ago; it Is
even more precious in debtor countries today.
s"The Tren s,irv nena rtnoant eynlained The
Star of September 20, 1897, "is much en-
barrassed by the lack of COM
Treasury petent typewriters and stenog-
EmpIoyes raphers Assistant Secretary
vanderlip discovered this on
first entering the department, and to encour-
age department stenographers and typewriters
had an examination held for the purpose of
discovering the most proficient in the depart
ment that they might be called for when
needed. The examination was wholly volun-
tary, but did not result satisfactorily. Mr..
vanderlip has now decided that Is or 20
clerks who do not stand high will have to
be dropped to make room for that many
stenographers and typewriters who are COM
petent to do whatever work they are called
on to do. The Civil Service Commission will
be asked to supply the experts from its eligible
list. The discharges will be made within q
few days. Mr.. Vanderlip regrets that he will
be forced to take this action. He also regrets
that there are not more frst-class stenogra-
pliers in the department, that he might make
promotions instead of having to call for new
people" The Mr. Vanderlip referred to was
Frank A. vanderlip q native Of Aurora. ILL.,,
born November II, 1854. He became one OF
the great business administrators Of his gener-
alton. Leaving the Treasury In 1901, he served
as vice president and later president OF the
National City Bank of New York and still later
president of the Palos Verdes Corp. After
World War he took an active part IN recon-
struction enterprises in Europe and elsewhere,
travelled much, wrote many books, gave many
public addresses, nnally died June %. 1887.