Evening Star Newspaper, November 24, 1883, Page 3

THE EVENING STAR: WASHINGTON. SATURDAY. NOVEMBER 24, 1883—DOUBLE SHEET. OUR STREETS AND ROADS, REPORT OF CAPT. F. V. GREENE. IMPORTANT RECOMMENDATIONS. Street Paving and Lighting—The Steam Car Question—The Telegraph Pole and Wire Nuisance. Capt. F. V. Greene, in charge of surface work—the streets and roads of the District— has made his annual report to Major Lydecker, the Engineer Commissioner of the District, as follows: ENGINEER DEPARTMENT, District or Cotemuta, Wasuixerox, November 20, 1883, Major GT. Lylecker, Corps of Engineers, U.S.A.s "Engineer Commissioner D. C. : [have the honor to submit the follow- sport concerning the streets and roads of the District of Columbia for the fiscal year, end- ing June 30, 1885. The nature of the work per- formed is shown in the following statement: Sune nary Statement ef Operations and Estimates. i 5 5 2 é 2 E £ z # Z e3 EI ge = “Ss 3 Pad : S| € P=] Bl: ee g a s ae PAVEMENTS. The condition of the streets on July 1, 1883, ‘Was as follows: Square Nature of Pavement. | yards. | atties ‘Total tmproved. Total wnitaprov The replacement of the worthless wooden Pavements has continued to be the principal work on the streets during the past year. Tiese ements, which coy four miles on July 1 at the rate of between f Ing each succeeding year. Jast the amount still remaining wa * a-half miles. isti ntracts te be com- pleted on or be nber Ist, 1883, will re- move nearly five miles more. e two and alf miles are included i mates of work for the by the Ist of 1» the last vestige of reiten wood will have peared from the str The replacement of these pavements have drain onthe resources of the Distri work when complete will be more than one and a-half millions of duliars. The amount ex- pended upto date is shownin the following statement: On the Ist of July seven and Te in th disap- lez gitz : | E| a E eit. be weds 2 : g E| * > _S_ 2 _t —|z a] #2) 2/2 . 2/8 El: es g|zls y = 5 expended not area of improvements, ing the fatal exper wood. The origina en pavements was a little more than four millions of dollars, as shown by the records of the board of public works. ‘The y of replacing these unhealthy frazments of wood with a dura- has limited the expenditures for k toa comparatively small amount. The total of this work during the past five years has consisted of 71.473, sqnare yards of new vemments, laid at acost of $188,797.43, and five miles of unimproved streets graded and regu- lated, at a cost of $110,946.03. During the next fiseal year tt will be possl- ble to devote a larger portion of the money available for streets to new w0¥k than has been practicable during the last flve years. The esti- mates provide for expending between one-third and oue-half of the appropriation in the eastern and southern sections of the city, although these sections pay in all but one- the taxes. wood was ori; kence in the rep!: appeared to be m omparatively small amount of ‘ement of the wood they hi ected. ve i of that in the for next year with the ting the property pl and the large amount jon tn excess of the taxes e no furtuer ground of s now lafd are all_of imperish- ‘ ustituent being > first being her by tar in ing of fine dheld together masonr, a factory it is objecte therefore reatri travel, or to s tracks, as to contine the tray Timits. and forms the principsl pavement of the elty; it y has an extent fifty he g within narrow imore. nofactul Pavements now in details regardl: @ gnaraatest for five contracto:, and ten per centum ofthe amounts xth part of | lald In’ these sections, and | r | contracts. ‘The asphait is nzed on all other streets | ht miles, or halfas In the ap- Dl be found complete specifications for ‘and laying of the standard we in the city, and also full ail contracts for this class of the last decal sear. All pavements years by the due the contractor are withheld during that period, as an additional security and guarantee fund for their repair, The average cost per square yard of the pave- ments laid since 1878 is shown in the following statement: a 1 | asphalt Granite | Asphait. | APR iss. 15 | ss oe 1870-60. iv is iF ISU. a0 | 20 18 ISSI-82 | ris 23 28 Pel 25s | 226 7 : : 228 209 Issd-S4 The concrete pavements laid between 1872 and 1874 were composed of particles of stone ce- mented by tar. Theywere, as a rule, inferior to pavements in which the cement is made of as- phalt, and they are gradually wearing out. By means ot prompt repairs they are kept in or- der until the top surface bas entirely worn off. An entirgly new surface of asphalt is then laid upon them. The necessity of preserving these pavements by resurfacing thein, in addition to the minor repairs needed from time to time, in- volves anexpense of about €50,000 per annum. This amount has been appropriated for severai years past, and is included in the estimates for next year. The number of yards resurfaced during the last five years is 126,627, at an aver- age cost of $1.30 per square yard. The pave- ments when thus treated are nearly as good as new. In addition to the 70 miles of standard pave- Ments (asphalt and granite) there are 17 miles of cobble, 7 miles of macadam and 34 miles of or, in all, 58 miles of roadways of an in- aracter. They are kept in as good or- ossible with the appropriation of current repairs.” Such repairs as are essary to the sidewalks are also dfrom this fund. A detailed statement ot penditure will be found in the appendix. Under the existing law all improvements are made at the expense of the city at iarge, with- out special a: nent upon the abutting pro- perty, which is greatly enhanced in value by the improvements. The demand for such improve- ments being far in excess of the current reve- nue: iation is made annually for the “permit work.” These js are issued under certain restrictions to parties who will pay the cost of laying them, This amounts to & voluntary assessment, in which the District pays about two-thirds and ies benefitted one-third. It is evidently advantazeous to the District to have as much ble, and the y table to property owners, as is shown by the fact that there is always a larger demand for these materials than the appropria- tions can meet. For the next year the estimates provide for increasing this appropriation and slightly diminishing the appropriation for im- provements at the general expense. Durine the past year 11,434 feet of curb, 9,957 ot flageing, 700 yards of covble stones, 7,682 asphalt blocks and 473.523 paving bricks were purchased from this appropriation, at a cost of #12 and about two miles of ‘streets were improved by them. The principal benefit derived from this appro- priation is in laying new sidewalks and paving alleys. It often happens, however, that parties deciine to conti ything towards the cost of keeping the alks and alleys adjacent to their property in proper condition, Under these circumstances the system becomes inoperative. and the sidewalks and alleys remain in very bad order. lly is this the case in regard to the , Many of which are in such a condition as to be injurious to health. Legislation is needed to einpower the Commissioners, when- ever an alley is declared by the health officer to | be in such condition as to constitute a nuisance, injurious to public health, to order it to be paved, the materials being purchased from the appropriation for permit work, and the cost of | lavor being assessed against the adjoining prop- ecty, and collected as other taxes are collected. STREET AND ALLEY CLEANING. The paved streets and alleys are cleaned by contract at a fixed price per square yard for each cleaning. The rate during the past year, under the contract then existing, was 2394 | cents per thousand yards, and the total amount | cleaned was 122.901.2779 square The streets are swept at rezular intervals, some | daily, some three times, twice, or once a week, and others onee in two weeks—dependin, | the amount of travel. On an averaze paved street is cleaned once in ten da Sweeping is done by machines between the | hours of 10 p.m. and 6a.m. The dirt is shoveled | up and removed before noun of the following 225.000 for absolutely n i 5 Unpaved streets were swept last year from time to time as n labor. At present the labor of th of the work- house has been made available for this purpose, and the large force thus brought into use has ing the last few months to el streets in a cl pr con- known for several years. Ice and snow are partially removed from the | principal thoroughfares during the winter by | day’s labor. but the amount of this work has ne ily been small. During the coming | nter the workhouse labor will be very ser- viceable for this purpose. During the past year the total expenses fur street cleaning were as follows: Cleaning paved street Cleaning unpaved streets. Remov ice and snow. Cost of inspection..... $52.069.07 d expired by Total The contra ks ol Imitation on the 30th of June last. Proposals for continuing the work during the resent year were called for in May. Lhe lowest idder was I. 8. Filbert. at 2394 cents per thousand yards. The next lowest. bidder was L. P. Wright & Son, at 294g cents per thousand yards. The difference between the bids on the | estimated amount of work for the whole year was $975. The machines of both parties had been thoroushty tested in actual use in this city, and those of Wright & Son were consi tobe enouh superior to those of Mr. to warrant the extr contract was therefore awarded to Wright & Son, by whom the work is now being per- | requir Pay the gas company and then recover from the railroad companies by suit. This is a tedious process, as the suits will not be decided under two or perhaps three years. If the District is to act as collector for the bills of the gas company, then more efficient means should be authoriz for enforcing the collections. This could be effected in the same manner as is now provided for collecting bills due from street railroads— i.e. by issuing lien certificates against their property, bearing interest at 10 per cent, and Tedeemable in one year trom date of issue, under penalty of sale. The illuminating power, purity and other qualities of the cas are stated in the report of the U. S. inspectors of gas and meters, which is submitted herewith. PARKING COMMISSION. The report of the parking commission shows that during the past year 1.735 trees have been planted, 476 trees replanted to replace losses from casualties, and 222 old trees removed. The total number of trees is now 59.401, giving 134 miles of ehaded streets. With the increased growth of the trees the complete success of the methods pursued by the present parking com- mission during a period of more than ten years, becomes ey ear more apparent. The trees and the asphalt pavements are the distinctive features of Washington streets which attract most notice. . There are a few miles of improved streets where the curbs and sidewalks are on the es- tablished lines where trees have not yet been planted. The annual expense of maintaining the boxes and renewing the soil around the large number of trees now planted ig so great that the number of new trees to be planted is less with each succeeding year. These boxes are needed not only to guide the tree in its growth, but still more to protect it from de- struction by horses gnawing at the bark. It is, therefore, necessary to maintain the boxes as a protection from this sort of injury long after they are unnecessary for any other purpose. During the past tew months the first systematic planting has been undertaken on suburban streets which are technically beyond the city limits, but are important thoroughtares. Four- teenth street and 19th street extended have already been thus planted, and other streets of the same character will be similarly treated. The steps taken by the parking commission to prevent injury by caterpillars are explained in their report. COUNTY Roans. The amounts expended on each of the roads in the county, under the appropriation of 25,000, are shown in the appendix. ll this work is done under the direction of the super- Intendent of roads by day’s labor. The appro- priation forthe current year was reduced to $20,000, This Is not sufficient to keep the Toads—which have an extent of more than one hundred miles—in proper condition. If the es- timate of $25,000 had been approved by Con- gress it was intended to complete the recon- struction of the 7th street road to the Mary- land line. The lack of money has made this impossible, and only a small amount of work can be done this year on this important highway. The purchase of the Tenley- town turnpike from its owners under the act of January 19, 1883, has abolished the last toll-zate in the District of Columbia, It has, however, thrown upon the District a road of great importance, being the principal route from neighboring farms to Georgetown, which. is in a dilapidated condition. It will be necessary to entirely rebuild it from end to end. The total expense will be about $37,000, and a special estimate of $15,000 is sub- mitted for beginning this work next year. With the exception of the unfinished portion of 7th street, beyond Brightwood and the Tenleytown turnpike, most of the roads are now In fair con- dition, but it isimpossible to keep them so with astnailer appropriation than $25,000. Effort is made. so far as the funds available will permit, to macadamize the more important roads in the best manner, and thus make permanent im- provements in them. Where this is not possible the roads are repaired with bank gravel. The material as found in this locality is of an infertor character on account of the large amount ot clay contained in it, but it Is the best material which can be obtained, in default of means for macadamizing. SURVEY OF THE DISTRICT. The careful topographical survey of the Dis- trict has been continued during the past year by the officers detailed from the coast survey. The field work is now complete overan area of about twenty square miles, and the maps, on a scale of four hundred feet to an inch, have been drawn for nearly half that area. The territory thus covered is the most important in regard to the extension of streets and avenues and the proper subdivisions of suburban property. It was expected to have ready to submit with this report a map of the District showing such of these extensions as are now necessary, with # project tor compelling subdivisions to conform to them. but the press of current business dur- ing the lasttwo months has delayed the draw- iny ef the map and it is not yet completed. Its completion ig expected during the coming winter. STEAM RAILROADS. In my last annual report the inconvenience and annoyance caused by the present location of | | alleys would prove less annoying than those on railroad tracks within the city limits was dis- cussed at length. I then suggested ‘that the Commissioners recommend to Congress the an- actment of a law forbidding the running of trains on the present route of the Baltimore and Ohio road in disregard of the grades or the streets after a certain date, giving that company the option of comingaround Capitol Hill or under it on any one of tie three routes above named ; also repealing the act which nted the Balti- more and Potomac road the right to cross the park on the line of 6th street, but otherwise conforming the present route of that road; and compelling the immediate enforcement of the irements above specified along the surface roads, viz: the fencing in of the tracks, the placing of automatic gates at street crossings, and the cessation of the practice of making @ freight depot and car yard on the avenues.” During the succeeding session of Congress formed. The contract rate for cleaning paved all during the pa: t yards, and th which $1,478 wa the mat | 7, of | tor salaries of inspectors. For | r the rate is 40 cents per thon- | - ‘The work was let to the lowest bidder in pubile competition. The alleys are cleaned once a week in sammer and once in two | weeks in winter. Unpaved alleys are cleaned | from time to time by work house labor. STREET LIGHTING. The report of the superintendent of lamps shows the following: Number of lamps June 30, 1882... Erected 18%: | Relishted Issz- | Nuinber of lainp: , 4,276 | It is estim that 65 lamps will be erected j during the current year, and 48 during the month of July, 1834, making 4.389 lamps for the next fiscal year. Of these 79 are chargeable to the railroad companies and 4,310 are to be paid for by the District. The estimates are | | fe ed on this number. The cost of lighting | during the past year under contracts with the Washington and Georgetown Gaslight com- panies was $25 per annum foreach lamp. This included the cleaning, lighting, extinguishing | and repairs of all kinds. New lamps were furnished by the District and a reasonable price was paid for erecting them, as provided in the t. The total expenses of street lighting, including erection of lamps, were €105,056.59 The drst controller having disallowed all ex- penditures for erecting lamps during the past rell as the four preceding years, the ies were required in May last to refand | payments on this account, amounting in all to several thousand dollars. This they did ander protest, and they have since brou; suit to re- cover these amounts, which, they claim, were | due them under the law and the terms of their The sults are now pending. | During the past year the lamps were lighted | on the old village system of six hours per night, (2,200 hours per annum,) trusting to the moon. to make up the deficiency, Urgent recommen- | dations have been made at various times within the past three years to have the law rezulating gas works so amehded as to require the lamps | to be lighted for at least 3.000 hours per annum; | but these efforts have not been successful. The rice per lamp was reduced by the act of March 3, 1883, to $22 per auzum; bat the law as to | hours was not changed. In June last, however, the gas companies consented to make a contract for 2,600 hours during the current year. These agreements will be found In the appendix. The number of hours should be still further increased to at least 3,000 in order to.meet tne necesai | of acity of the size and importance of Wash- large cities. The act of Juiy 1, 1852, required the cost of | ghting the streets through which steam ratl- roads Tun to be paid by the railroads. In accordance with this act, during the past year the biils of the gas company for these streets were regularly certified and forwarded to the | prevented action on the bill. ington, and to conform to the practice of other | the subject was taken in earnest by the Senate committee on the District of Columbia. It was then learned that the Baltimore and Ohio railroad had sold its interest in roads leading south from Washington, and had no desire to come to the southern section of the city. As it did not appear that any material advan- tage would be gained by bringing the Baltimore and Ohio tracks around to the southern side of the city merely to have a union depot, it was decided to. ‘e this road on the northern side. With this exception the above suggestions were adopted, andatter several consultations between the committee and the Commissioners, a bill was framed which, if passed, would have settled the railroad question for several years to come. Unfortunately, the short jon of Congress Tt was reported to the Senate on February 23. by Hon. Mr. In- galls, chairman of the committee, but no action was tuken upon it before the expiration of the session. Its provisions were, in brief: That the two branchesof the Baltimore and Ohio railroad should be united at Brook's station, outside the city limits, and should then come in on Dela- ware avenue, to the square between D and B streets, North Capitol and Delaware avenue, where their depot should be located; that a via- duct above the grade of the tracks should be built at Massachusetts avenue, so_as not to in- terrupt travel on that important thoroughfare; that the line of the Baltimore and Potomac rail- road should remain on Maryland and Virginia avenues, as at present, but that their track on 6th street, north of Maryland avenue, and all the sheds, &c., in the mall, should be removed, except the epee building at 6th and B streets, which would be purchased by the government; that the use of the avenues for unloading freight should be prohibited under heavy penalties; and finally, that both roads should be fenced in, throughout their whole length within the city limits, by substantial curbing and iron fences with gates at the inter- sections of cross streets. It is to be hoped that this bill, upon which the Senate committee were fully agreed after a long and careful investigation of the whole subject, will be re-introduced without any change, early in the next session, and pressed to its passage. After the adjournment of Congress without any action in this matter the increasing business of the Baltimore and Potomac road, and its to- taliy inadequate facilities in the way of freight depots and car yards, resulted in a continuous F ng established on Maryland and ven ‘The citizens residing in that vicinity then appealed to the courts, and ob- tained an injunction against this practice of un- loading on the avenues. The company then purchased a square on South Capitol street, near Canal, whith partly provided for their trafic. They also asked the Commissioners to grant the use of a part of Canal street, which is 240 feet wide, for a car yard. After full consideration this privilege was granted upon the company entering into an agreement dated September $d, 1883, by which they bind'themselves to pay the’ District €3,50) per annum for the privilege, to use it in such manner as not to interfere with the travel at in- Tullroad compantes for payment to the gas com- (oy ee payments being made on this account 'y the District. It is stated that the railroad compantes have either neglected or refased to py the bills. In the act of March 8, 1893, the arden of collecting these bills was thrown upon the District by a clause requiring the District to tersecting streets, to keep these Intersections properly paved and to erect suitable gates at the more important ones. If the railroad com- fails to perform any of the work required Pythis agreement the Commissioners are em- powered by its terms to perform the work them- selves aud pay for it out of the proceeds of lien certificates issued against the property of the railroad. The agreement is terminable by either party on six months’ notice, and is to be sub- mitted to Congress for approval. A fall copr is contained in the appendix, This agreement provides a temporary relief In giving space for several hundred cars in a locality where at pre- ent they cause mo inconvenience. It is not likely to prove permanent, for the growth of the city will In a few years demand the removal of these cars toa more remote locality, but so long as it remains in force the company pays to the District the fall value of the privileges granted. Gates have already been erected at 434, 7th and llth streets, New Jersey avenue and South Capitol streets. The company has also pur- chased the square on the west side of 14th street, just ngrth of Long bridge, and has applied for permission to lay its tracks across 14th street into this square in order to use it fora freight yard. This request has not yet been granted. Temporary permits, revocable at pleasure, have also been granted torun along the line of Maryland and Virginia avenues. While the presence of a steam railroad is not beneficial to property used for residences, yet it is a self-evi- dent fact that in these days the trade and_pros- perity of acity cannot be maintained without railroads nor without proper terminal facilities for handling freight within a reasonable dis- | tance of the business partot the city. The lines of Maryland and Virginia avemies give | such facilities, and if the roads are permanently. established there with a sufficient number of freight depots on their own property this sec- tion of the city will rapidly increase in value for business purposes, for which it is admirably adapted. The Senate bill makes ample pro- vision against improper use of the streets by the roads. TELEGRAPH WIRES, The number of poles and wires on the streets at present is as follows: Mil Miles Company. Lin, Wire. Western Union. . 2. Baltimore & Ohio. : 5 8 4 Bt of Columbti 2 ‘Telephone. 10 Electrle Light a Total. 7 This does not include single house-top lines, which probably amount to 150 miles of wire ad- ditional. Three years ago there were 1,266 poles, with 41 miles of line and 336 miles of wire. The pole and wire nuisance has therefore more than doubled in the last three years. In the central section of the city there is hardly a street which is free fromit. In the annual report tor 1880 the Commissioners recommended to Con- gress the passage ofa law to compel the re- moval of the wires from poles to underground routes, and cited the almost universal custom of the large cities of Europe (where poles are prohibited, and where the wires are in successful use under ground) in suppor of their recommendation. They were unable, however, to secure any action on the subject vy Congré&s. Since that time the older companies have con- tinually stated that they were desirous of placing their wires under ground, and were experimenting with that view, but had not yet perfected their systems. New companies have appeared asking for poles, on the ground that to refuse them would prevent competition in telegraph service. and that they also would be ready to go under ground whenever the system was perfected. By these arguments they have succeeded in getting permits for such poles as were absolutely necessary to get into the-city, circuitous routes through the outskirts being generally adopted. It is doubtful, however, if these companies have made much substantial progress on the under-ground problem, or ever will under these conditions; for no one has ever claimed that an under-ground system is as cheap as the pole system, and until that Impos- sibility is achieved the companies will never consider the system perfected. During the past year, therefore, all applications for poles tor the telegraph compantes have unitormly been reject- ed, except In isolated cases where their poles had become unsafe or were so low as to interfere with the trees. In such cases they have been allowed to replacethe old poles with new ones. The telephone company has, however, been al- lowed to make a large extension of its pole lines; it has erected poleson Massachusetts avenue, L, 9th, and 5th streets; also in atier of alleys run- ning north of Latreet, from 15th street to Rock Creek, aud In another tier running north of G street, from 14th street to North Capitol; it has has also erected poles ona number of roads be- yond the Boundary. These privileges have been granted on the ground that without them the telephone service, which was greatly desired by the residents of the city, could not be con- ducted, that the dimMiculties in regard to underground telephoning were conceded to be greater than in regard to telecraphing, and that the company would promptly adopt any under- yround system which was demonstrated to be feasible. Its agent also promised to lay an underground system of one mile in length for experiment, He was called upon several months since for information as to his progress with this line, but as yet has failed to make any answer. Under these circumstances it would seem to be proper to refuse all applications of this company for any more poles. ‘The permits for poles in alleys were granted to this company, partly because the poles in the streets, and partly because it would remoye the most serious objection to the underground system for telephones—viz: the difficulty of house connections—to have a pole in the alley in the center of each block, to which the wires could be carried under ground, and from which they could be distributed into the rear of houses. Some of these poles will therefore form a part of any permanent system. All permits for poles during the past year have been granted on ex- press condition that they are subject to revoca- tion and the poles to removal at the pleasure of the Commissioners, on sixty days’ notice. Dur- Ing the last few months two applications have been received for permits to lay underground wires. The first was from the Standard Under- ground Cable company,a company which manu- factures cables, but is not a telegraph company. They offered to lay cables from the War depart- ment to the Capitol, and also on a part of the District fire-alarm service; the cables to be laid at the expense of the company, and then sur- rendered to the United States and District authorities for six months’ use and experiment. The laying of these cables was begun on tie Ist of the present month and is now nearly com- pleted. The second application wasfrom the Postal Telegraph company, which desired to bring its wires Into the city underground and do a general telegraph business. Before granting this permit a careful examination of the city was made with a view of determining what streets should be used for underground wires. It was found that 14th street and T street would form parts of any permanent plans of under- ground routes, and the privilege of occupying these streets for this purpose was granted to the Postal Telegraph company. The agreement en- tered into with them is given in full in the ap- pendi&. In brief, it provides that this company shall have the exclusive right to construct con- duits for electrical wires on these streets, pro- vided other compantes have the right to lay their wires in the conduits on a fair rental, to be determined in case of disagreement by the Com- missioners. The conduits are to be constructed at once under the asphalt pavements at crossings of streets; for the rest of the way the cables or conductors are to be laid under the brick side- walk and no conduits are required at present. The conduits are of brick masonry, sixteen inches square in cross section, inside measure- ment. with a substantial cover of iron or stone, which can be removed at pleasure in order to give access to the cables. They are large enough to hold several hundred wires, laid in such man- ner ag the companies may prefer. These con- duits at intersecting streets are now in_ process of construction, and it is expected that they will be completed early in December. The wires Will bo laid. as soon as completed. The com- panies who are laying these underground wires confidently state that telegraph and telephone service can be pertormed with them fully as well as with the over head system. Ina very few months their success or failure will be an established fact. If they succeed, it will then be necessary to institute vigorous measures to compel the speedy removal of the poles, It is expected that the companies will offer every resistance possible to the change on account of the expense, and the question will probably have to go before the courts for ultimate settle- ment. Outside of the companies interested, there is hardly any one who {snot in favor of the change. and as the companies pay nothing for right of way, there is no real hardship in forcing them to the expense of removal. Very respectfully, (Signed) F. V. GREENE, Captain Engineers. +. Blessed of Daylight. From the Philadelphia Call, The sreakfast-read journals being gotup at night, almost always gives the impression of tired workers. Occasionaliy it may say @ bright thing, but as @ rule the morning papers are dull and heavy, as if the editors dla not get enough sleep. How bright is a well-conducted evening paper beside such a sheet! Written and printed in the blessed light of day, every line bears the impress of brains refreshed by healthful sleep in nature's own hours. and in- stead of a mere record of events it becomes a gental and welcome companion. The morning paper, like a bill-board, is a copvenience; but a good evening paper is at once @ Juxury and a necessity. ARTIFICIAL iCUBATION. Hatching Chickens by a Wooden Mother—How to Succeed — Advice From an Expert. To the Editor of Tae Evesrxe Stan: The high price which early chickens bring is caused by the difculty experienced in getting the natural mother to incubate in winter time; which season is unnatural for most feathered specieg to set and raise their young. The ques- tion how to overcome this gifficulty, in order to supply the increasing demand tor early broilers, has attracted the attention of inventive genius, who brought into existence the incubator, which, though asuccess, ts not perfect. The strongest advocates of the old-tashioned natural way of doing tnings admit that chickens can be hatched in a wooden mother, by heat froma coal-oil lamp. It must bea source of consola- tion to lovers of spring chicken to feel that the days of 60 cents per pound for them are num- bered, and that chickens, like ice and flowers, can be produced out of their natural season. Artificial incubation was first practiced in India and Egypt, where the eggs were placed in larze ovens, but never attracted much attention until 1851, when Cantelo exhibited a hydro-incubator in London, and induced the French to experi- ment with them, which resulted satisfactorily. In our country the subject claimed the attention of Corbit, Wright, Halsted and others, who have met with much success. IN ORDER TO SUCCEED in hatching eggs artificially. it is necessary to observe certain natural conditions, such as reg- ular temperature from 100° to 106° Fahr., applied at the upper surface of the eggs; moisture; and after the elxth day adequate ventilation. The source of heat Is immaterial so long as these essentials are observed; nowever, hot water or hydro-incubating and heat from a lamp have proved the best. Place the incubator in an out- house on the ground floor, where the tempera- ture is even, good ventilation, and no Jar. Pro- vide fresh, clean eggs, have the temperature 90°, then carefully place the eggs in the tray, gradu: ally raise the temperature to 106°, but in no case higher. There is DANGER IN OVERHEATING. Place beneath the ege-tray moist sponges, or pans of water, to obtain moisture. Turn the eggs half over every twenty-four hours. The day before the eggs are to hatch sprinkle with an atomtser. After the first week they should be aired daily and cooled down to 90°. Examine them on the fifth day with an egg tester, and reject those which do not show embryo and dis- tinct veining; they will do for cooking. After the sixteenth day, be sure to remove ALL OFFENSIVE ODORS, such as coal oil, asphalt, and decaying matter of any kind. The chickens will then begin to breathe through the pores of the shell, and are easily killed at this stage. If you tail in the first attempt, do not get discouraged. After you have had some experience, be satisfied witif sixty per cent. If your expectations run as high as ninety per cent, you will be disappointed. The hen will not do that well, and we cannot equal her. There are many small farmers who practice mixed husbandry who would find the raising of early chickens a profitable adjunct, especially if they have idle time in winter, as many do. Many men think the poultry interest too insig- nificant to claim their attention; but if it re- ceived the attention in our country that it does in France, {t would equal any other product; but as our country becomes more thickly populated we will find it of great importance to pay more attention to minor industries. W. E. MaNakEE, Burnt Mills, Md. SS ‘The Boundaries of the Time Belts. From the New York Tribune, A good many people are puzzling over their maps just now to understand the change of time, and some of them complain of uncertain knowledgqas to the exact extent of each of the four great time belts of fifteen degrees, or one hour each, into which the United States are di- vided. Some published statements that each of the belts takes its time from its easternmost meridian have naturally added to the confusion. The statement refutes itself, because the great object sought in arranging the new system has been to make as little variation as possible, on the average, from the local time; and therefore the meridian which gives time to the belt should be as nearly as possible in the center. This was so arranged. The seventy-fifth, ninetieth, one- hundred and fifth, and one-hundred and twen- tieth meridians run down about the center of the respective belts to which they give time. The extent of the belt on each side of the meri- ian would properly be seven and one-half de- grees, making the extreme variation of time within that belt from the meridian only halfan hour. But it was not practicable to make a rigid division cf the country on astronomical lines. All cities and towns of 20,000 or 30,000 inhabitants get their time from the ratlroads— hate, in fact, usually no other means of getting it. Tt was necessary therefore to have regard to the convenience of railroads, which could not change thelrtime within a tew miles, say. ofa terminus, just because a meridian crossed there. The division of the country just adopted is a railroad division and not an astronomical on and It@s to therepresentative of the railroad, Mr. W. F. Allen, that the credit of a change is largely due. “Eastern” time—or that of the seventy-fifth meridian, which runs a little east of Philadel- phia—extends over all New England, and in the middle states to Buffalo, Salamanca and Pitts- burg; and practically over the whole of Vir- ginia, West Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. In Canada occurs one of the ine- qualities of the new system compelled by the necessities of the railroads. There is no point there at which a change could well be made, and so “eastern” time extends as far as Wind- sor, opposite Detroit. Detroit is included in the “central” time-belt, and between the two cities there will be a difference of an hour. The “central” time-belt, taking its time from the ninetieth meridian, which runs through New Orleans and a little east of St. Louis, covers all of Ohio, Indiana, Mlinois, aud Iowa, with all the states north of them to the Canada line and south to the Gulf and the Rio Grande. The western boundary line of the “central” time- belt is an irregular line running west of the western border of Minnesota, crossing Nebraska and Kansas and Indian Territory. and touchi the Rio Grande about half-way between .the Gulfand El Paso. From this line begins the “mountain” time-belt, which takes It time from the one hundred and fifth meridian, running close to Denver, and has as its western border Montana yomtng,part of Utah,and all of Arizo- na. The “Pacific” time-belt, which takes its time from the one hundred and twentieth meridian, running near Santa Barbara, Cal., covers all from here to the ocean, Anyone taking the trouble to consult a map will see that the meri- dians in each of these belts occupies a position sufticiently central for all practical purposes. Saturday Smiles, “Can a noun in the plural number be alse in the singular number?” Oh, yes. For instance: Drugs are a drug in the market.—Kentucky State Journal. As a pargof the marriage ceremony in Servia, the bride has to hold a piece of sugar between her lips as a sign that she will speak little and sweetly during her married life. The sugar soon melts away.—Louisville Courier-Jc “Show me a thermometer—one of your best.” Shopman: “This, ma'am, is one of our finest— Venetian glass and the best quicksilver.” Mrs. Shoddy: “Silver. That would be nice for the kitching, but I want one for my booder. Haven't you one with quick gold ?”—Montreat Witness. One of the juvenile sayings of this Thanksgiv- ing time was made by a young son. an heir, last week. “Oh, papa,” said he, as he gras] the feet of a young turkey that had just-been taken from the market basket and placed on the kitchen table, “he’s got kid gloves on.”—Boston A New Jerseyman who was out to a friendly meeting, tarrying rather too long at the beer mug, bought a glass of chestnuts of a peddler, intending to make his wife believe he had got lost in the woods while out nutting- ‘Here's some of the (hic)—the chestnuts now, if you don’t (hic)—don’t bleey it.” saidhe. The wife seized the nuts, and, gazing on them a minute, looked him square in the eye and took his very breath away from erate ne = Ae _— by es claiming: ‘‘You wre ey’ "—New York Commercial. No matter how bad a temper one may have, he should never lose it.—Kochester Post Express. The general understanding is that a patient is not out of danger until the doctor has been dis- charged.—New Orleans Picayune. They thought they heard burglarsin the house last week, and in going down stairs to investi- gate Bibbs said to his wife: “You go first; it’sa mean man that would shoot a woman.”—Boston Budget. Texan marriage notice: “No cards, no cake, no flowers, no thanks, no regrets, nobody's busi- ness. IST OF LETTERS REMAINING IN THE WASHINGTON CITY POST OFFICE, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1888. ‘0 obtain of t! ooter “Sitsa dan thet he avtcant mast SP" Ii not called for within one month they sent to the Dead Letter Otic, e mOntD =— FRANK B. CONGER, Postmaster, LADIES’ LIST. Allen Mrs Ht Jordan Susan Anmstead Ja lion P ‘Keys Mrs Mary Anderson Rara Keefe Mr Anderson Mrs MO Keochan Mary Amold Mrs F King MPV’ Bry Lyman Mrs Dr Lawrence E Mra ° Mre Gertrude ee Jail ¥ Yeanitt Mre LO BS isdown MIB Beall Ida B Lee Jennie Beall Jessie Lewis Mollie Brodie John Mrs Lea Mary Brown Mrs Jane Lewis Mary F Browner Mrs Rate Lucis N Barnard Mre K Mills Annie Beckwith Luiza Brady Mrs Lucy Bells Mrs Luc Breund a» L pwiuan 3 Ball Mw Morsan Mrs B Mulcare Ells x Mre Moore Lucy Poe Myers Mollie ssid Montogue Mrs B Ment, Dettie, 2 Susan A Mrs S peated eS Panffell Ara ee an ‘Miss a hase Mx Gertrude Clarke Edna P - Conway Eliza Clark Joeveen Mrs cuts GM Hannah, ‘kM Carpenter MrsR : Chiatain facenon Mrw M. Dade Sirs Ann Mre Carrie Dinks Mrs C Robinson Elnor. Davenport Crimona Rockwood Mrs @ Robinson Lillie Ki Dugan Mrs Kate ussell Mrs Low Douglass Mrs LM re Bamuore Laie Robinson Racha F wees Lizzie Wberteon Rach Daniels Mamie Robinson Mrs Sa Darby Ricketts Sarah A Drak: Suydam Mrs A Demo Semeby Mrs Ali Dick ith Annie Dorsey Nettie Mrs Stanand Berti Dulle Ww aan M: Ende en Fuller Annie Sinmons Eliza Freshwaters Shorter Mrs E Adline Free 3 mt MCA Field cand : “orte Mrs Ford Mrs R Stringer Mrs: Fitchat Susia, 2 tt Mrs MJ Mrs c iors Mat Grey Mew ME Sinith Mees, (oot Glaudot Madm Smith Sinan iad Goodman Sarah Homer A M Mra Hyde Emma, Hutchinson Mrs H@ Hooe Harnet Li Huffman M. sisted Mary > Hensen Mrs ‘Hall Mar: Homes Mrs M Harris Poke folmes Susie ‘Hilton Mrs 8 E Harris Tempie Jones Annie S Mrs rari iu B Johnson Emmaline Jefferson Hester Jones Idea Johnson Jennio en wad 0 Ali Wiitieer Mrs Ald Wartn rs Aida Jones Jang jefferson Lucy Jackson Mary farbor MU Jonas Mary B jackson N Fann; Sudd Nabe ""% Ww GENTLEMEN'S LIST. Attorson Geo W Jones Hey Rove Ets nderson Geo Jones Rey Robt Anderson JW Johnson Thomas Applewaite BH Jones WB Alken Robt Johnson WT. Arlue WB Knight Chas A Annstrong WA King Chas W Banket Reith Fielding Bissell Col AT ‘unz Geo F Blacburn Arthur Kiger Col Jas Ty Bridvers AB aume] Joh Ballue D Knowles 1. Brown Danl Kivett R ML Burgess F Pierce GB Blackburn Geo A Lee Gen'l Brown Henry, 2 Leinsucker Geo Bryan HS ennard Henry Bussom Henry Tous HE Butler Jas Lyons JM Baker Jas H Lennon Jno Bradway JT Lous Col Thos B Bradley Jno P Lattimore Walter Babeock John, Tasaiter WL Barr James Lott Win Burke James Mun Burton John Me b Brown J Bass Jed M Miller Hugh © ‘Meattor Henderson L fan Ira, Bingham Mr Bruce Kobers Brown Thos Boving Vincen Marshall 3 W Barfunr Win Baxwell JE Bradley Wm Maning Wn L rker Wit Meltoe Janes Bliss Win M. Neece & Blazer Garstain MeCall& Qo ‘Nuttall Chas Hf Cone Ca Openstein George Ghurchinan Caleb Poarce Capt Chas wurchinan, carve Capt C Cook David Perlans Chas Coble David Palmer Edw'd gece? aS leaves Ips Jno Elase Joseph Parrie J Will Calloway James cer Nathan Coak Hon Jno O cl ido $ Chadwick J 0,2 Potter Gen KB Carlin Peter Porter Robt Cantrell PW Porter Leymiae ev Palmer Waterman bell Win Henry Ross Dr Gorcheron Win H Reught EM \dorf Hen AG Rowel Jt Danuer Buchannon Rivers IL, Douglas Chas Roustan M. Dyer Geo L Raymond Hon BW y Jno 8 Russell WW Dorsey Joseph Binal & Co Doody Jerewiah Smith & Marvtall Davis L A Bausone LtaAd Dousscnes Mr Bi DeLacy MM Rs Davis WW ‘Eaxtinan Frank M Edwards TD Eckers Win Fondren Alfred Franklin Austin French Col Fair Cyras Floyd Jno F Frier Mr Foster 3 Shiven O 1 Flanacan Mathew Bhakesprer Quartermaster Foster Geo Win Baundress HA Franzmann Jacob Btecle KW Flanmner Jt Seely ST Graves Dr JH Gnol TS oO WE Hall Arthurs ii BF all Frank Harrison Frank Hoppinan Frank Hiltou Geo AS Winter Banks W. Washburn Hon C F Whedbee Ellis D Willrand DG Wolford Col Frank ert H Grant joodmanse Harrison Howard 8 F Ward Rev JG Hillyer Wia L foods J O Huys WW ‘Witeon Je Hughes W Alliainson 5 Toons Wm Warden dng i rboe Geo atterwol Mrs Johnson Henry Lee Waist OF Jeamies John Willes Mr secon tes Ward Thomas, 9 jackson, Joues Philip MISCELLANEOUS. Manager “‘Annte Pixley” LIST OF LETTERS REMAINING IN EAST CAPITOL STATION. Barunpay, Novemprr 24, 1883, LADIES’ Lis? Brent Miss Mi Muller Mrs Cath Dodeon Clerissts on Meow Kenney Miss @ Pouch Miss HE Leo Mre Elia 1m Mre Thos HX Lee Mra J R Carnie Morton Miss Fannie,2 ‘Turner Miss Mary GENTLEMEN'S LIST. OmkIH2 « Green Wm Gaited Daniet Myers Claade W LIST OF LETTERS IN TRE GEORGE- TOWN, D.C. POST OFFICE, LADIgs’ LIST. Anderson Fanny Poindexter Sarah L Gorcoran MrsCD GENTLEMEN'S LIST. Godfrey. Nig EW Keefe 33. Holmes M ‘Capt Joseph Capt N W Thompson; schr “R Bowers.” Ger Tse Ber “THE CONCORD HARNESS" THE CONCORD COLLARS, LUTZ & BRO, 497 Pennsylvania Avenue, Adjoining the National Hotel. Bole Agents for Hill's Celebrated Concord Harness. ‘TRUNKS and HAENESS in great variety, at lowest Prices. nlé aly cettessh PROMPTLY AND ACCURATELY SRP AE ap -HAND WRITERS at notice, ose aa ‘92; L ptrest aw. 3 1 8 83 HOLIDAY SEASON 1883. CONFECTIONERY. Ttcan now be anid that the cold weather has mate tte) Amonest us and that it will remain with us’ Permanently during the balance of the year. That being” @eoured, all dealers in Candy can stock their storey Without being in fear that the goods will be spoiled by the weather ortinsecta, It is conceded by the business community tn general that the coming weason will be one of great activity and Profit to the merchants who have the kind of goods fost sale that the public ts desirous of buying, The dealer, todo business, must have a stock of goods fresh and. well selected, The great alm of the retail dealer in Confections” should be to make as lange adisjlay as possible witht @smnall stock of «reat variety; that is, to buy often an@ im such quantities as to keep the goods nice and fresh. This class of trade will find our establishment an ao commodation, « Judging from the activity of business dnring the summer months we concluded to anticipate thr wants of the trade, and be equal to the demand, by complete ing our variety of stock for the Thankscivin and Holts day trado earlier than usual, We, at this carly period, are ready to supyily the trade with @ full stock of Holle day goods. Our stock of Suear Toysand Troe Ornaments is par ticularly lance and of great variety In French Mixtures and Domestic Oandy we have all qualities hich and low priced, and can supply the wants of any class of trade. We have quite s numberof mon employed in the manufactur of Freuch Mixtures, which we suarantes: pure and fresh. Dealers who contemplate handling Candy in «mall oe lance quantities are requexted to look at our goods be- fore placing thelr orders elsewhere, Storekeepers who cater to the wanteof the juvenfie community should not failto call st our store every few days to nee the novelties in uew goods, We always have something new, and can show you such a we Fiety as you never have seen before, aud we will sell You quantities to suit, Our salesmen are always willing to show our goods, Whether you are ready to buy or not. Goods delivered promptly. Out of town onters boxed and deliver’ at the wharves and depots without chance for cases or drayageg CARL MUELLER & SON, MANUFACTURING CONFECTIONERS, AND WHOLESALE DEALERS IN HOLIDAY CONFEO=! TIONS, ‘314 Pengsylvania avenue northwest, Bouth side, near corner of 3d stroct, Or Grear I \TEREST. nit-lw ¢ And if you have a little time to epare, why you may ag well read it, and keep on reading until you come to the ALL-WOOL, HEAVY-WEIGHT CASSIMERE SUITS, _ 81, 10. In five different shades. The talk all over the city, CORKSCREW AND BASKET CLOTH SUITS, In all the latest shades. Backs—1 button, 3 button, an@ 4 button. Cutaways at €11, $12, $14, €15 to €0—do not find their equal in the city, 2,000 OVERCOATS FOR MEN AND YOUTHS. Imagine how many styles there must be to select fromy @hall the way up to $25. BOYS' SUITS AND OVERCOATS. Never before has there been such a variety of styles om exhibition. Give us a call and beconvinced. LONDON AND LIVERPOOL CLOTHING CO CORNER SEVENTH AND G STREETS. au Fre Prose Worsnoxrs, FINE LEATHER WORKBOXES, rytarp pesks, E!S# WOOD WORKDOXES, FINE WOOD DESKS, SMALL STANDING DESKS, MEDIUM AND LARGE DESKS, for Boys or Ladies, FINE PLUSH GLOVE AND HANDKERCHIEF BOXES, JAPANESE GLOVE AND HANDKERCHIEF BOXES, CUFF AND COLLAR BOXES, PERFUMERY CASES, ae COMB AND BRUSH CASES, FINE JEWEL CASES, PLUSH AND LEATHER COMBINATION BOXES, Are among the New and Lovdy Goods which we have nterk ne oul Our Prices will always bear coumrison with Lowest, and our Goods are all fine, landsome and made. Our Plush Glove and Handkerchief Box at $198 ia remarkably cheap, We have also Just opened a fine line of LAVA STATUARY, ic designs, in imitation Brongn, Of very artist from apair up.” They are worth looking at. In FINE ALBUMS at very low prices we flatter onr- selves to have ex all previous efforts, Our vanety embraces all the New Styles in Plush, Rvisnla Leat Alligator, Real Morocco, Embossed Leather, &-. deserve your expecial attention. Our stock of TOYS still keeps coming in, and w: have, without doubt, the largest variety’ ever « e shall Wor to sult © ‘body's purse io SILVERBERG'S, 812 7th st. and 313 8th street n. w., n19 bear Pennsylvania avenne, We Ase Osrensa NEW DESIGNS IN GAS FIXTURES, ADdare eclling single and double Swing GAS BRACKETS, In Brass and Gilt, at 40 and 50 cents cach, and othar gouds proportionately low. ‘Wo have a line of COOKING RANGES at various Prices, from $3.50 to $150, TRON TILE FIRE-PLACES, with BRASS FRAMES, from €12.6 to 875. BRASS ANDIRONS, from $5.50 to #50 per pair. FORTABLE BUCKET GRATES, from $5 to $32. PARLOR GKATES, from $10 to $100, GAS BURNERS aud GLOBES at LOW PRICES, EDWARD CAVERLY & 00, Plumbing, Heating and Ventilating, oer 1425 New York avenue, Te LARGEST SIZE NICKEL-PLATED GERMAN STUDENT LAMP, 2 W. SCHAEFER, DEALER IN FIXE CHINA AND GLASS, ecl0 =. NO. 10207TH STREET NORTHWEST. T= ATTACK OF CERTAIN OLD LINE JOURNALS. upon the Mutual Reserve Fund Life Association wag intended to utterly ruin its business, but it eccms te ‘have had the opposite effect, for on one single day last month applications were reocived for 250,000 insute ance. Assessment No 10, just collected, brought 885,000. The reserve fund now excerds 100,000, 4s being invested in U.S. Bonds by the trustee, the Cen+ tral Trust Company of New York. The Association come pleted its third year in October, and has already writtem, 16,250 certificates, covering $70,000,000 of insurance, The admission fee and one year's dues in advance are 30 on, 5,000, and 850 on $10,000, The annual duce forex- Penses are §2 for each €1,000 of the certificate, Theas- roprirpigencn claims are: at age 25, lon each 000 of the certificate; at 1.24 5, Bogs: 65, 67. ‘Que ortho cae ements ity, Come and ineure. Ofioe 5 nse into the’ reserve fund 1 ¥. KNIGHT. General Agent. Sere