Evening Star Newspaper, January 1, 1895, Page 10

10 THE EVENING STAR, TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 1895-TWELVE PAGES. THE YEAR AT HOME What Has Happened in the District During 1894, THE RECORD OF TWELVE MONTHS Dull Times Not Over Yet, But There is Strong Hope for Better Days. THE STAR’S ANNUAL REPORT The year just closing has been quiet for Washington and the District of Columbia. There have been few great calamities to mar the serenity of affairs, and little enough of a revival in prosperity. The ef- fects of the panic of 1893 are still felt, and the twelve-month closes with all hearts hoping for that coming of better times that is usually preceded by such a depression as that which swept over the country sum- mer before last. The District has not got its share of leg- islation from Congress, and hopes are now centered in the coming Congress, which will show many changes. The spirit of economy that has prevailed in national leg- islation has extended itself to the affairs of the District, and appropriations have been generally cut down. Altogether, however, the year has not a bad record. It closes with many achieve- ments to be noted, and the following his- tory of the focal affairs in 1804 will be found to contain many signs of progféss. The city has increased in population, the death rate has fallen off, the criminal rec- ord is less, and though business generally is now dull there are signs of brighter days to come: The District Governmen With the growth of che city there has been @ corresponding tmcrease in the ad- ministrative work at the District building throughout the year. The executive force was kept unusually busy attending to the vast number ot details and several new questions that came up were met and dis- posed of by the officials of the Lnstrict government, The resignation of Myron M. Parker as District Commissioner was ac- cepted by the President eariy in the year and George Truesdeil was appointed on the 26th of February to succeed him as republican Commissioner. Commissioner Koss was appointed to succeed himself, January 4 On the Lith of October Capt. Edward, Burr, U.9.A., was detalied by the Secretary of War as additional assistant to the Engineer Commissioner, this extra position being provided for in the appro- priation bill. October 30 Capt. George Derby was relieved from duty as assistant to the Engineer Commissioner and Capt. Lansing H. Beach was detailed by the War Department to relieve him. Thomas B. Entwisle, who for many ears hud held the position of inspector of buildings of the District, died suddenly November 12. There was considerable competition for the office d several candidates entered the field. Mr. John B., Brady, who had for some time been Mr. Bntwisie's assistant, was pro- moted to be Inspector. August 2 Coroner W. C. Woodward and Heaith Officer Ham- ett exchanged places by resigning their re- spective positions and being appointed to the vacancies thus created. During August the Commussioners, acting under the new law for the equalization of taxes, appoint- ec James A. Bates, 8. T. G. Morsell and J. Harrison Johnson to constitute the board of assessment and equalization and also the board of excise. September 30 the Commissioners reappointed the old school board. In October br. D, W. Prentiss re- signed as commissioner of pharmacy. A good many important legal questions came before the board of Commissioners for settlement and were referred by them to the attorney for the District, Mr. Thom- as» who during the year passed upon many vital points of law and delivered a number of vaiuable opinions. Karly in the year he Jecided that two of the three Commission- ars whe wers then acting as an excise oeard had power to grant liquor licenses. He held also that the Commissioners were powerless to alter or amend the tax lists. He decided that the Commissioners had the right to decide between the use of cobble or asphalt by the street railroad com- fanies in paving the space between tracks. He held that the Commissioners are. re- sponsible for keeping the wall along the Canal road in order; tfat they are without power to abate the smoke nuisance; and that the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Co. has the right to construct sidings upon its own or adjacent property. An interesting question arose as to the exact definition as to what constitutes a party wall. The at- torney for the District decided that a wall that is wholly within the lot of the build- ing owner, but of which the feundation is on the building line is a party wall. Early mm the year the Commissioners an to take steps to bring about appro- priate adequate extension of the streets and avenues of the city, and the engineer Commissioner and his assistants worked on this problem for several months. The appropriation bil carried an item of $6,000 to pay Frederick Law Olmstead for plans of such an extension and he and the Com- missioners have had several consultations om the subject and have gone over the plans and surveyed the ground covered by them. New plumbing regulations were put into force by the Commissioners in February. Etvorts were made throughout the year to secure an adequate measure for the regu- lation of the practice of medicine. A num- ber of hearings were held on the subject and the medical authorities of the District were consulted, but no legislation has yet been secured As a measure of precaution the Commissioners began in June to close a number of polluted wells and to discon- tinue the use of several old pumps. The threatened invasion of the District by the Coxey army occupied the attention of the Commissioners during the latter part of April and as the result of a number of consultations on the subject the police were given private instruction upon the nature of the law covering the case and were ordered to enforce it strictly. April 23 the Commissioners issued a proclamation warn- Ing Coxey and his followers to keep away from Washington. Two important building regulations were devised and put into force during the year. One was the result of the Knox fire, where- by a number of horses perished from being stabled on the second floor of the burned building. This regulation was to the ef- fect that In future no stable shall be built with stalls for horses above the ground floor. Notwithstanding this regulation the Knox Company secured a permit to bufld such a stable by applying before the period of limitation between the issue of the or- der and the date of its enforcement. The other regulation resulted from the con- struction of a twelve-story apartment house on Q street. It prohibits buildings higher than the w of the street on which they are located, and provides that no buildings on residence streets shall be higher than ninety feet. In Octotfer the assessor of the District reported that the total revenue of the Dis- trict for the next fiscal year will amount to over $3,140,000, The United States treas- urer informed the Commissioners in Oc- tober that the District debt then aggregated a littie over $18,000,000, After several weeks of session the new board of tax assessment reported that their efforts to equalize the assessments would result In an average reduction of about 15 per cent. This hoard In its capacity as a board of excise carried out the regulations for the granting of licenses that had been enforced by the Commissioners while serv- Ing as such beard. They decided, however, hereafter to grant no oral arguments in support of applications for license. The Commissioners were kept unusually active throughout the year, owing to the protracted session of Congress, in reporting upon proposed legislative measures, and in order to make recommendations in accord- ance with the desires of a majority of the citizens they granted a great many hear- ings on the various subjects of the bills referred to them by Congress. The District In Congress. The vear has not been prolific in congres- sional legislation for the District, but two or three measures of considerable impor- tance been placed upon the statute books. Probably the most important was the bill requiring a change of motive pow on the Metropolitan railway lines. Thi one of the most important street railroad bills ever passed by Congress. The Metro- politan Railroad Company was, several years ago, given notice Dy Congress to change its motive power, and a date was fixed after which, in case of failure, the company should lose its charter. The com- pany experimented with storage battery cars without success, and, claiming that it could not use a cable on account of the crooked character of the line, was looking, it was asserted, to the trolley-electric sys- tem, and appiied to Congress for an ex- tension of the charter on the ground that its experiments had been costly without af- fording the ,requisite relief. By the pro- visions of this law the company is author- ized to change its motive power to an un- derground electric system. The 9th street Ine is to be completed in one year, and the F street line in two years from the date of the approval of the act. A highly impor- tant feature of the law is a provision per- mitting reciprocal arrangements with other street railway companies for the use of tracks, so that suburban lines will be en- abled to reach the center of the city. A bill to amend the new liquor law also became a law. This bill has two principal effects. First, to require the testimony of but one witness in order to secure prosecu- tions; and, second, to exempt hotels and wholesale establishments located within 400 feet of churches and schools, having. been established within those limits prior to the passage of the act of 1893. This saved from revocation of license the great cluster of hostelries in the vicinity of the corner of 15th and H streets northwest. Another valuable addition to the local statutes was made in the bill to provide an immediate revision and equalization of Teal estate values, and an assessment of real estate in 1896 and every third year thereafter. It creates a board of essistant assessors to revise and equalize the tax assessments. ‘The board of assessors is also made the excise board of the District. A law was passed making labor day a legal holiday in the District, and the first celebration under the new law was a grati- fying success. 5 A number of bills of minor importance became laws, among which was the re- quirement that street railway companies shall furnish new tickets and cancel each ticket as soon as it is used. Absolutely nothing in the way of legisla- tion regulating steam railways was ac- complished. Efforts have been made at both sessions of Congress to secure the passage of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad bill, but withcut evail. Board of Trade. The Washington board of trade became more than ever during the year 1804 the voice of the people of the District, and its relations with Congress were made closer and more effective. The membership of the board increased from about 250 to 450, and interest in its proceedings developed in like proportion. The committees of Con- gress last session and throughout the year came to recognize the board more and more, and representations from that body by letter or through committees received earnest attention. Three important bills were advocated by the board. One of these, providing for a board of assessment and tax equalization, became a law. Affirma- tive action was taken by the House on an- other providing for the issue of $7,500,000 in 3 per cent bonds for the systematic ex- tension uf streets and sewers. Though the board was particularly earnest in its ad- vocacy of the third bill, that for the crea- tion of a free public library, Congress has so far refused to act favorably upon it. At the annual meeting on the 10th of January the regular reports from committees were received, showing that a great amount of work had been done.. The bill for the free public library was then earnestly advocat- ed, and the board approved the proposition unanimously. The board also recommended the erection of a new municipal building. At the regular meeting on the 14th of Feb- Tuary the new tax assessment_bill was adopted by the board, with amendments. which framed it practically in the shape im which it-is now in operation. The board recommended that the Norfolk and West- era railroad be authorized to enter the city. A committee was appointed to represent the beard before the appropriations com- mittee of the House in the interest of in- creased appropriations for the District. It is thought probable that the influence of this committee largely contributed to the increase of half a million of dollars which was made in the District's budget. On the 9th of March the board held a reception, which was attended by a large number of members of both houses of Congress and the most prominent citizens of the District. On the 27th of March at a reguar meeting the board discussed the future of the Po- tomac flats, and at an adojurned meeting held on the 3d of April the board unani- mously recommended that the flats should be always preserved as a public park. At this meeting the board also emphatically expressed itself in favor of the abolition of grade crossings of steam railroads in the city. At the regular ril_ meeting, held on the 17th of that month, the bill for a free @brary was recommended for pas- sage. At the meeting of June 29 the board @iscussed and formally approved the bill for the street and sewer extension bonds by a practically unanimous vote. The bill, as drawn, contemplated the retention of the principle that the general government should pay 50 per cent of the expenditures of the District. There were no meetings held during the summer, and at the meet- ing of October 24 routine business was transacted. “che annual meeting of the board was held on the 12th of November insteaG of after the new year, and a vast amount of business was transacted in the reception and approval of reports from all the standing committees. A resolution favoring the extension of the civil service to the municipal offices of the District was, with brief consideration, laid on the table. At the meeting of December*1S this resolu- tion was taken from the table, and, after one-sided discussion, was adopted by the board with but three dissenting votes. A resolution was also adopted providing for the appointment of a comittee to co-oper- ate with the Civil Service Reform Associa- tion to urge the extension recommended by the resolution. At this meeting also the president of the board, B. H. Warner, an- nounced that a select committee appointed by himself at the request of the House subcommittee on District appropriations to select a site for the new contagious hos- pital that would be acceptable to the board of trade, and agreed upon the reservation on which the jail is located. This caused some discussion, which was terminated by the board approving the action of the com- tee. The City Post Offtce Building. Comparatively little progress was made during the year on the building that, when completed, will be the home of the Wash- ington post office. The plans were changed early In the year so that above the sec- ond story the building is to be finished in smooth-faced granite instead of rough stone. Various delays occurred, so that the work was thrown back even beyond the already dilatory stage which it had reached. On the Ist of October The Star began a daily mention of the state of the work, including a count of the men actu- ally engaged upon the structure. An ef- fort was imade to reach by investigation the cause of the very apparent delay and the conclusion was soon apparent that the fault lies with the system in vogue in the office of the supervising architect of the treasury. On the reconvening of Congress in December the subject of the slow work on the building became a matter of daily comment by members of both houses and a letter was written to the Secretary of the Treasury by the chairman of the ap- propriations committee of the House ask- ing for certain facts in relation to the building, which were supplied in a brief manner a few days later: The Secretary estimated that the building would be fin- ished by July, 1897, which would be five years and a half after the work was be- gun. It is a general expectation that this matter will be actively investigated by Congress during the coming session. A New Postmaster for Washington. On the 30th of October, President Cleve- land appointed James P. Willett of this clty to be postmaster for Washington in the place of Mr. Sherwood, whose term of four years had already expired. The ap- pointment was received with general ap- proval by the citizens, and Mr. Willett has given general satisfaction by his conduct of the office. Immediately after taking charge he appointed Mr. Harry Sherwood, the ex-postmaster, as his assistant. He also appointed Messrs. Wm. A. Dove, Wm. H. Fletcher and William A. Hutchins to take charge of the substations on Capitol Hitt and in South Washington and George- town, respectively. The East Washington Citizens’ Asscclation criticised the ap- pointment of Mr. Dove on the ground that he was not a_ resident of the section to which he was appoint- ed. Postmaster Willett established a new substation for the sale of stamps on Pennsylvania avenue between 12th and th streats and the fourth-class office at Tenleytown, was, at his suggestion, trans- :} formed into a substation with a@ carrier, thus extending the personal delivery of mail to the District line in that direction. Real Estate. y ‘While there has been no great activity in the real estate market, the condition at the close of the year is a favorable one and the prespects for the coming year are encourag- ing. The building record shows quite a falling off in the number of buildings erect- ed-during the year and in the amount of meney expended, but this has been due to the general depression in finarcial circles more than to merely local causes. The pass- age of the bill establishing a permanent beard of assessors, and providing for the revision of the old assessmert, which this board is authorized to make, was regard- ed as a measure of great importance. Dur- ing the year the map for the extension of the streets throughout a portion of the northern suburbs was completed and sub- mitted for the approval of Frederick Law Olmstead, the landscape engineer. Active operations in carrying out this extension, as well as the execution of the plans of sewer extension, will await the passage by Congress of the proposed bond issue bill. A syndicate secured a long lease on the property occupied by the late ex-Secretary Blaine as a home, and a permit was taken out for the erection of a theater building on this site. The corner-stone of the new building of the Corcoran Art Gellery, at 17th street and New York avenue, was laid and good progress was made in the con- struction. ; Building Operations. The total amount of money spent on the erection of private buildings in Washington since January 1, 1894,was $3,972,028, against $2,697,764 during the year 1893. Of the amount first mentioned, the sum of $2,122,- 523 was expended in improving the north- west section of the city, $155,140 in the southwest, $463,110 in the northeast, $224,- 150 in the southeast, and $1,007,105 in the county. The total number of permits to build issued was 632, of which 184 were for Northwest Washington, 52 for southwest, 82 for northeast, 55 for southeast, and 259 for the county. The permit involving the greatest amount of money was issued Feb- ruary 19, to T. F. Schneider, authorizing him to erect a brick and stone apartment house, 12 stories in height, at 162 Q street northwest, the cost to be $125,000. In the southwest section, Rober: Portner secured @ permit on November 12 for a brick store and flats, four stories in height,-at the southeast corner of Virginia avenue and 7th street, to cost $30,000. The largest sum fof money expended for building purposes in Northeast Washington was by Richard F. Bowen, his permit being issued on June 13, for the erection of a brick office, car house and stable, at the northeast corner of 13th and D streets, at an estimated cost of $40,000. Gaddis, Bury & Dunn, trustees, secured a permit on June 2) for the erec- tion of a five-story Masonic hall, to cost $34,000, at 326, 328 and 330 Pennsylvania avenue southeast, which was the largest mount disbursed for such a pw in that section. In the county, Baker & Ham- ilton took out a permit on December 5 to put up a row of houses extending from 1301 to 1313 Yale street, Columbia Heights. The cost is stated at $55,000, which is more money than was spent on any other build- ing, or single row of buildings, outside of the city limits during the twelve months. The records in the office of the building in- spector show that since July last there has been a decided increase in the number of buildings over the corresponding period in The Health of the City. ‘The early part of the year was free from any serious invasions of contagious dis- ease into the District, but in the autumn smallpox appeared, thegfirst case having probably been brought from Vermont by a family returning from a summer outing. From this case the disease spread until it had attacked fourteen persons. Prompt and energetic measures were taken to se- ‘cure the inoculation of the citizens by vac- cination, and many thousands were thus treated within a period of a few days. Of the cases of smallpox that developed eight proved fatal. After several weeks, it being supposed that the disease had been abso- lutely conquered for the season, new cases appeared, and the city is now undergoing a second visitation of the scourge. Up to date there have altogether been twenty- five cases and ten deaths. The need of a new contagious disease hospital has been amply demonstrated by these two epidem- ics. The general health of the city has been better, however, according to the death rate of last year. This, it Js thought, is due to the general cleaning of the city that followed a house-to-house sanitary inspection. Measures are now under way to furnish the health authorities of Wash- ington with a supply of anti-toxine, the new remedy for the cure of diphtheria. This disease has proved particularly fatal during the past year, and there has been considerable typhoid fever.The mortality for 1894 was 5,862, as agginst 6,119 for the pre- vious year. Of these deaths this year 3,223 were among whites and 2,639 colored. Es- timating the population at 0,000, the death rate for the year is 21.5, as com- pared to a ratc of 21.7 for 18% for the to- tal population: Among the whites the death rate was 17,9 and among the colored people 29.3. Contagious Hospital Trouble. Throughout the year the Commissioners have been endeavoring to secure a site for @ contagious hospital, for which authority was given in the appropriation bill for the fiscal year just passed. Public attention was somewhat diverted from the question, and there was great surprise and consid- erable indignation among certain classes of the citizens when it was announced, on the 26th of November. that the Commis- sioners had purchased a lot of ground on Pleasant Plains, north of Florida ave e, to the east of 14th street and back of X 1. Logan's house. An indignation meeting of the citizens of Mt. Pleasant and the adja- cent regions was called, and the action of the Commissioners was roundly denounced. The latter, in their annual report to the President, submitted a few days later, ar- gued at some length to show that this hos- pital was intended only for minor diseases, such as scarlet fever, diphtheria, &c., and quoted medical authorities to show that there would be no danger to surrounding inhabitants. The matter there rested for a time, but at the reeting of the board of trade held on the 18th of December it was announced by President Warner that at a recent meeting of the District suk -cmmit. tee on appropriations, which he had at- tended, he had been requested by the Con- gressmen to appoint a committee of the board of trade to select-a site for a con- tagious hospital that vould be satisfactory to that organization. The committee had met and selectsd a site on reservation No. 13, on which the jail now stands. This se- lection was ratified by the board. This choice, however, is not satisfactory to the citizens of the eastern section of the city, and they have held several indignation meetings, and last week they joined in a mass meeting, at which resolutions were adopted condemning the action of the board of trade. The question there remains. The District is owner of the property on Pleas- ant Plains, and there have been no steps taken yet toward the erection of a build- ing thereon. Police Matters. During the year the march of the so- called industrial army, led by Jacob S. Coxey, threatened to disturb the peace of the city and cause trouble, but the crowd of men who composed the army were han- dled in such a way that very little trouble resulted, and the leaders were sent to jail for offenses against the laws of the United States. Many members of the army were later arrested as tramps, but in the face of all this the good order of the city, was maintained and the number of arrests during the year shows a gratifying decrease in crime. The arrests for the entire year aggregated 24,272, as against nearly 26,000 during the preceding year. Of these arrests there were about 5,000 for disorderly con- duct, 4,000 for drunkenness, and 7,000 for other offenses. No changes of importunce among the higher ofticials have been made, but an investigation conducted by Commis- sioner ‘Truesdell resulted in the dismissal of a number of officers, and the adoption of a rule which affects all officers who are in the habit of indulging in strong drink in public places. There were seven homicides committed. Policemen Easely and Law distinguished themselves by the capture of the notorious criminal known as “Jack the Slasher,” who had terrorized the entire community for several months, and he received a thirty years’ sentence. Sergeant John C. Daley, who is known as the “fighting sergeant,” gained some notoriety in breaking up dives in South Washington and in raiding John Shea's Maryland avenue saloon, after the latter’s pardon by the President. His raid on the Fat Men’s Beneficial Association, which resulted in the dismissal of several police officers, will long be remembered by members of the force. A number of police- men have died this year, but not one has been killed in the discharge of his duty. The Census of Washington. Just prior to the close of the year the police department undertook to take a com- Plete census of the District, such as is usually taken at intervals of about two years. The completed) returns, as an- nounced by the superintendent of police, aggregate 26¥,158 persons residing within the District. The census taken by the police in June, 1892, showed a population of 258,441, which indicates an increase in a little over two years of 10,727. Firess Since the first day of last January the District fire department has responded to 472 alarms; of these 210 were regular or gong alarms and 262 were local or still alarms. The damage from fires amounted to $575,038, the insurance on the property destroyed being $315,106, During the month of January 21 regular and 80 local alarms were sounded; in February, 10 regular and 19 local; ‘in March, 30 regular and 21 local; in April, 19 regular and 26 local; in May, 15 regular and 19 local; in June, 23 regular and 20 local; in July, 24 regular and 32 local; in August, 17 regular and 14 local; in September, 16 regular and 23 local; in Oc- tober, 18 regular and 12 local; in November, 16 regular and 19 local, and in December, 20 regular and 27 local. Mrs. Parker was badly burned in a fire, March 26, at 674 Elm street northwest. The death of Susan Briscoe resulted from burns received at 1413 28th street north- west, April 3. During the early morning of July 25 the stable and storage warehouse of the Knox Express Company, 20U B street northwest, was totally destroyed, the prop- erty loss amounting to $350,000; Samuel Mesten, Michael Fenton and Dennis Dono- hue, members of the fire department, were killed at this conflagration, while other firemen were severely injured. The burn- ing of house 913 I street northwest, July 18, severely injured Miss Mary Knott; August 9, at 430 Massachusetts avenue northwest, Miss Millie Baylis was badly burned. Two deys later a conflagration in a house in the alley between M and N, 20th and 2ist streets northwest caused the demise of Mrs. Nancy Monday. Early in the evening of September 7 Mrs. Wasserbach of 1900 KR street northwest was painfully burned. The matiress factory of Stumph & Broth- er, 631-633 Massachusetts avenue north- vest, caught fire shortly after noon, Sep- tember 17, and proved to be one of the most serious conflagrations that has oc- curred in this city in recent years. Falling, walls crushed five adjacent buildings, and five men were killed and several were in- jured. A new engine house is at present in course of erection on Maryland avenue between 13th and 14th streets northeast. It will be completed about April 1. The com- pany to be located there will be designated No. 10.. The opening of the new year is marked by the creation of a second chem- ical company, known as No. 2. In his last annual report, dated October 20, 1804, Chief Parris recommended a general increase of twenty-five per cent in the pay of all the employes of the fire department, one-half of a increase to revert to the pension fun Courts. There were no changes in the personnel of the District judiciary during the year, and the records of the District courts for the year 1894 vary little from those of past years. The case which attracted the mest attention here and throughout the ccuntry generally was that instituted by Miss Madeline Pollard against Representa- tive W. C. P. Breckinridge of Kentucky, in which the plaintiff obtained a judgment for $15,000. In the suit of Johnson against Ven Wyck the Blodgett claim was de- clared to be champertous. “Jack the Slasher,” the negro burglar who had ter- rorized the people of the District fcr sev- eral nfonths, was ser; .ced to thirty years in the penitentiary. - Colonel Fred. C. Ainswerth and Contractor Dant were rein- dicted for manslaughter in connection with the Ford’s Theater disaster, but both in- dictments were declared to be fa.ally de- fective by Judge McComas, which decision was affirmed by the Court of Appeals. Brokers John W. Macartney and Elverton R. Chapman and Correspondents E. Jay Edwards and John S. Shriver and others were indicted for refusing to answer cer- tain questions propounded by a Senate investigating committee, which cases are still under consideration by the District courts. Poiceman Terry was sentenced to three years in the penitentiary for shoot- ing Willis Washington, ‘a’ young colored man. Judge Long of''Michigan was re- fused a writ of mandamus compelling the commissioner of pensions to restore him to a former pension rating. ‘The Court of Appeals rendered many important deci- sions, one of them declaring the compu. sery system of improvements illegal. Treas- ury Clerk Gaddis was féfused a writ of mandamus, compelling the Secretary of the Treasury to reimstaté him. Dr. Ed- ward Leon was respectively convicted of murder and manslaughter, but both ver- dicts were set aside by Judge Cole. John R. Leonard was.z2ppointed warden of the District jail, vice Burke, resigned. Thomas > Crumpton was hanged at the jail for the murder of David Shanklin. A bill in equity was filed by John G. Moore to test the validity of the income tax law. .As the re- sult of suits filed against the Washington Beneficial Endowment Association and ihe Fidelity Building, Loan and Investment As- sociation receivers were appointed for the respective associations. After an escape from custody for twelve years Captain Henry W. Howgate was retaken and lodged in the District jail, to await trial on the old indictments and three recently re- turned presentments. In Police Courts. ‘The principal feature of the work in the Police Court during the year has been the successful prosecution of 101 liquor dealers by Mr. James L. Pugh, jr., the prosecuting attorney. These prcsecutions were under the new law, the penalties being far more severe than formerly. The dockets of the court show that 16,475 cases were disposed of during the year, and some of the cases represent as many as a dozen defendants. Of this number 11,100 were disposed of under District ordinance charges, while 5,275 were for offenses against the United States, such a3 assaults and thefts. The receipts for the year from fines fell far shcrt of the amount collected during the previous year, amounting to only $43,044, as against nearly $6,000 more in 1893. Stceet Railroads. In many respects the past year has been @ notable one in the history of the street railroads of the city. The determined e¢f- fort made to inflict the overhead trolley nuisance on the city did not materialize in any practical results, and the passage of the Metropolitan bill excluding that sys- tem from the list of available motive pow- ers represented the will of Congress as well as the sentiments of the people in re- gard to the use of the overhead trolley within the city limits. The directors of the Columbia railway not only decided to edopt the cable system in place of horse; on that road, but pushed forward the work with such rapidity that the close cf the year practically witnesses its completion. The most important legislation of the year was the passage of the bill authorizing the Metropolitan road to make a change in its motive power. The directors of the company adopted an underground eiectric ‘system, and have made arrangements for the issue of bonds ‘to secure the necessary money, and the opening of the coming spring the work of‘puttittg in the new sys- ter on the 9th street line'will be begy.n. In consequence of the passage 97 this bill the sult pending fer thé forfeiture of the char- ter of the road was dismissed, and the qvestion in regard to the payment of taxes due to the District#wa@Meft to be decided by the Court of Appe: An attempt to reduce the wages of ‘ate and co ducters on this road réqulted in a striki and after an entiye: ogssation, of travel from half-past 4 {yf th§cafterndon of one day to the morning ofsthe next the difi- culty was adjusted by a conference b2- tween the president of the road and a committee of the ®mploves, and the men resumed work the mext day. Thé Dill pro- posing to give the Alexandria, Mount Ver- ncn and Washington railway the right of way cver a portioni of the reclaimed flats was defeated by the ‘opposition of tn board of trade and citizens, and the road was given an entrance into the city via the Long bridge. Two extensions of the Eckington road were completed; one from northeast to the Baltimcre and Ohio tracks at Brookland, and the other along C and D streets northeast to 13th street, and via 1st and G streets and a portion of the Metropolitan tracks to the 6th street de- pot. A branch out Nortn Capitol street was also completed. Plans for giving city connections to suburban roads were dis- cussed, which led ta the consideration of the transfer system, a union ‘lcpot system and the policy of granting further exten- sions of existing lines. The Columbia road has asked for an extension of its lines via the Washington and Georgetown tracks and west on G_ street, returning by F street. The Washington .and Georgetown asked for an _ extension cast and north and south along 22d street, and east by way of F and G streets to a junction the terminus at the head -of 4th street, with their mein line at 17th and the ave- nue. The company was also required to extend its line from the present George- town terminus to the Aqueduct bridge, and at the latter point erect a union station for the use of all roads that might terminate at that point. The charter of the Great Falls railroad was amended in several par- ticulars, but the construction of that road has not been begun. The reissue of street railroad tickets was prohibited by law, and all companies were required to exchange tickets with the herdic companies and with each other. Tests were made of a number of fenders by the street car companies, and Capt. Fiebeger has reported to the Commissioners in favor of the adoption of a car fender of a certain type. Samuel J. Phillips was elected president of the Metro- politan Company in place of the late W. J. Stephenson. In accordance with the pro- visions of the law passed by Congress the road was equipped with new cars. Public Schools. The history of the public schools fo\the past year demonstrates the lamentable fact that the facilities for the education of the young at the national capital have failed to keep pace with the ordinary pro- gress of events. The enrollment of pupils has increased from 39,359 at the first of the year to 40,678 at the date of the last en- rollment, an increase of 1,319 pupils. No figures are needed, however, to show that the school accommodations are entirely in- adequate for the greatly increased require- ments. Two new eight-room school build- ings were opened during the past year, the Pierce building for white children, on G street between 13th and lith streets east, and the Patterson building for colored children, on Vermont avenue near U street west. The former was opened in March and the latter in September. In order to meet the demands of the times, the school trustees have recommended an ap- propriation of $629,000, to be expended during the next fiscal year, beginning July 1 next, in the erection and furnishing of additional school buildings. Their _esti- mates include new buildings for the West- ern High School, for the Business High School, for a manual training school for the first six divisions, for a manual train- ing school for the seventh and eighth di- visions, for three eight-room buildings, five four-room buildings, ‘two two-room buildings and the recoustruction of the Wallach and Stevens buildings. The only change that hes occurred in the board of school trustees during the year was the resignation of Mr, Paul T. Bowen. That action on his part was the result of his public reffections ou the House District committee. ‘The vacancy thus oc- casioned has not yet been filled. In the force of instructors the only change of «ny consequence was the retirement of Mr. N. T. Cram, supervising principal of the first division, his succession by Mr. C. 5. Clark, formerly supervising principal of second division B, and the promotion of Mr. W. B: Patterson, an eighth-grade teacher, to the latter place. ihe entire system has been improved in various ways and the high standard of education in the District has been fully maintained. The Columbian University. The death of Dr. James C. Welling in the summer left the Columbian University without a head. A conmittee was appoint- ed by the board of directors to select a successor to the late president, but to the present time n> choice has been made. Kev. Dr. Greene, pastor of Caivary #ap- ust Church, was elected president tempo- rarily by the board, and 18 still serving as suc In the Churches. The year of 1894 was auspiciously: com- menced in the churches by a series of great revival meetings during the months of iveb- ruary and March, under tne ieadership of Moody and Sankey. Two services were held in Conventiun Hall each day. in the evening a choir of over ov) imixed voices rendered the music. A number of chauges have been made in the puipils of tie city. Rey. Dr. John Chester oi tue Metropolitan Presbyterian Church reured, anu tus piace was lilied by the appointment of Kev, Geo. N. Luccock, D.D., of Givomiigton, Lud, Rey. Adolus Alien accepiead tis cau to ne assistant pastolate of Uie birst Presvy- leman Church, as did tev. ai ituss bipan burn to the Vacaat puipst of Use ait, Pieus- ant Congregauonai Cuurch. ikev. David Richards, alter serving a short time as rector of St. siurk’s #. 15. Church, resigued, and Rey, Andrew Graham Of Uie divcese Of Minnesota was appoilited lo Lue vacalicy. in the early spring Kev. Luther B. Wiison, D.v., Was appuuiied presidiug vider ol tue Methodist bpiscopai distr.cc of Wash.ngton, and kev. W. C. Baldwin Was appuiuted in this city as pusior of Wesiey al. o. Chapel, Mr. Wiison’s lormer charge. Aret deacon Gubert F. Wiliams of tue Proves ant Episcopal convocation of Washingion resigned, and Rev. Tos. D. Ciiids, b.v. assistant rector of ‘i'r BP. 5. Churen, Was Cleclud lo Like piuce. Rev. Sevil br. Hershey resigned as pastor of tie sixth Presbyterian Church and was succeeded in! ager of | September by Kev. Daniel W. skeu Scranton, Fa. Mevs. George i. Dudiey and yard Wilbur Ennis accepied calls lo tie vacant.charges of St. Siepieu’s PL band the Western Presvyteriau cuurehes, re- spectively. arly in the year the Protestant Episco- pal diocese of Maryiand decided to iorin Washington, in conjunction with the Mary- land counties of Montgomery, Prince George's, Charles and St. Miary’s, into a separate episcopate, aad appointed a com- mitive, headed by Rev. Raidolph H. Me- Kim as chairman, to devise ways and means for its proper support. Fiity-tive thousand dollars was decided upon as a sufficient endowment, and of that umount over $52,000 has been secured, thus practi- cally assuring a bishop.of Washington, the cemmittee having neariy eight mou which to raise the remaider. meetings were held by the trustees of the Protestant Episcopal project for a cathe- dra. In the matter of the American University funds in the neighborhood of $ been raised for the buildimg of the Asbury Memorial Hail, and other large donauous and offers of scholarsnips have been re- ceived. In July the convention of the Young Peo- ple’s Society of Christian Endeavor, tien in session in Cleveland, selected Washiuz ton as the rallying point for “vs. To pri pare for their coming, an executive con Mittee was appointed in October and is now at work. At the Catholic University the MacMahon Hall of Philesophy has been neariy com- pleted, and its founder, the Rev. Father MacMahon, was raised to the rank of monsignor by the pope. és Two divines, Rev. Dr. Alexander Crum- mell of St. Luke’s P. B. Church and Rev. William A. Bartiett, D.D., of the New York Avenue Church, have retired permanently from the ministry. The syned of Baltimore, the District Sun- day School Union and the Women’s For- eign Missionary Society+of the Methodist Church held meetings here in the fall. In the Methodist Church missionary contribu- tions from the District have amounted to nearly $10,000, a large gain over ‘93. Revs. J. B. Stitt, J. M. Slarrow and J. A. Van ‘Arsdale, M. E. preachers, have been trans- ferred to charges in this city. Two Sunday feo) Ee vary Baptist Church and Trinity Church, Thave been completed and dedi- cated. The Chorch of the Ascension was cons crated by Bishop Paret, the debt having been entirely paid. Charities and Philanthro The financial panic of 1893 caused great suffering in Washington among the poor in the early part of the year 1894. Very many families were deprived of means of subsistence, and intense suffering prevailed. hy. As the ordinary means of reaching this | distress promised to be inadequate, the organization of an immense charity com- mittee was undertaken and successfully ac- complished in January. By means of thorough organization and hearty co-opera- tion on all sides nearly $14,000 was coliected and judiciously expended by various means for ihe relief of the poor. Many famiiies were supported in this way throughout tie winter that otherwise would have been left destitute. ‘he conditions, of course, bet- tered with the revival of building and some other branches of business in the spring ‘and summer, but so far this winter, al though there has been little cold weather up to the present storm, there has been evidence of quite as much distress, if not more, than last year. Beyond The Evening Star Santa Claus Club, by means of which $2,030 was raised, there has yet been no organized effort to relieve the poor. A considerable controversy arose during the spring between the superintendent of charities and the board of children’s guardians’ as to the proper allotment of funds appropriated in the District bill. Some feeling was evinced over this matter, and debate in the Senate was made to ap- pear that the relations between the super- Intendent and the board were seriously strained. The superintendent contended that the institutions for, the care of or- phans and similar establishments should be given the bulk of the money, whereas the board of guardians urged that they should be allowed sufficient to enable them to put children rescued from improper sur- roundings or taken as waifs from the streets into private homes rather than in- stitutions. ‘The appropriations for the board were considerably reduced, and the Senate ordered an investigation to be con- ducted by the District committee of the Senate into the question of congressional appropriations to charitable institutions, as Weil as the controversy between the super- intendent and the board of guardians. This inquiry was placed in the hands of a sub- committee of five, Senators McMillan, Gal- linger, Faulkner, Hunton and Martin, and it is expected that the work of the inquiry will be begun immediately after the holi- day recess. It is expected that the investi- gation will take a wide scope. After the burning of the Knox stables and storage house in July, in which three firemen lost their lives, The Star organized a charity concert to provide a fund for the maintenance of the families of these brave men, who perished in the line of duty. ‘his was made necessary by the fact that through lack of legislation, and partly by reason of the small salaries of the firemen, their relief fund had been ex- hausted, and there was no means from Which to pension the widows of the men. The Unt'ed States Marine Band volunteered its services, as did several well-known singers and musicians of the city, and the handsome sum of $1,449.75 was raised. In addition to this sum, contributions were re- ceived, swelling the total of this fund to something over $4,000. A New Recorder of Deeds. In April President Cleveland appointed Charles H. J. Taylor of Kansas to be re- corder of deeds of the District in place of Blanche K. Bruce, whose term had expired. ‘This nomination aroused great opposition among the residents of the District, who protested vigcrously to the Senate District committee. to which the nomination was referred by the Senate. The upposition to Mr. ‘Tayior’s confirmation was based upon his ron-residence in the District, and after several weeks of consideration the commit- tee reported the name to the Senate ad- versely by a vete of 9 to 2 The name came up for consideration on several oc- casions in executive session and finally Mr. ‘Taylor was cenfirmed. Charges were filed against him by the civil service commis- sion, during the summer, of active inter- fererce in pclitical matters through his connection with a certain political organi- zation and other charges nave from time to time been made agatust the incumbent. Up to the present time, however, the Pres- ident hus taken no action on the case. Ford Theater Disaster Clzims. The Senate tcok early action last winter with a view of ascertaining the amount of damage inflicted by the fall of the old Ford Theater building, whereby over twenty perscns were killed and nearly one hundred others were injured. A coramit- tee was appointed and exhaustive testi- mony was taken. All of the death cases were considered and the Senate endeavored to insert a paragraph in one of the appro- priation bills, making a grant of $105,000 to pay the heirs of twenty-one of the vic- tims, this being at the legal rate of $5,000. But the Heuse protested on the ground that it had had no hand in the adjudi- cation of these claims, and the matter was allowed to go over. Provision was made, however, for a joint commission, and sev- en members of the House were appoint- ed to act with the Senators, who had al- ready been at work.’ At the openeing of the present session of Congress a meeting of the joint commission was held and the death claims turned over to the members of the House. It is probable that the ap- propriation of $105,000 to pay these claims will be made this year. Action on the claims of the injured may be still further delayed. Cheaper Drend. In October The Star undertook to con- vince the bakers of bread in this city that the price of flour had fallen to the extent that it would be possible for them to sell their product ut a cheaper retail rate. The discussion went on from day to day, and facts were piled upon facts in the columns of this paper until the tae were driven into the position of eithel ising the wages of the men or reducing the price of their bread. Their various subterfuges in defense of their old price of 5 cents per Joaf were one by one refuted and exposed, and, at last, after about three weeks ting warfare, In which The Star was the nt advocate of honest prices, the bakers decided to surrender and their regu- lar product was placed on the market at 4 cents, a reduction of 20 per cent. The wholesale price of four had falien about 100 per cent. The Theater Hat. Ancther of The Star’s achievements was the raid that it made on the high theater hat. Early in the theatrical season the usual complaints began to pour in from correspondents against the high-hat nuis- ance, and this paper entered the field with an abundance of material to convince the theater goer as well as the theater man- ager that the interests of all demanded that the hat should be lowered. The effect of this crusade has since been quite apparent. Seldom is there now seen a high hat in a place of public amusement. Women of all social circles have adopted the small bon- net or a hat especially adapted to the audi- torium, and the general public is very grateful for the change. Potomac River. The most conspicuous event in Ic-al mari- time matters*from the standpoint of the lo- cal mariner was the letting by the Norfolic and Washington Steamboat Company of a contract for a new propeller steamer for service between this port and the deep- water ports of the Chesapeake. When com- pleted, in the spring, it will be the largest boat by many tons in these waters. New harbor reguiations were promulgated by the Commissioners in January. Bariy in March the Senate passed a resolution to investi- Falls water power as to its efli- cacy in furnishing the city with electric lighting. The steamer Pilot Boy, which had been rebuilt during the winter,was launched as the Belle Haven and placed on the ferry route in conjunction with the Columbia. In April the condition of the channel dredging was shown by the report 2: Maj Davis, and e Senate District committee di a pai to secure rights at Great Falls. The Attorney Ge made answer to the Sen- fate resolution in the matter of the Kidwell- Bottom s Toward the end of the year a company was incorporated for the purpose shing a new line between here and Newspapers. | With the exception of the establishment of the Washington Times, 2 daily morning newspaper and of “Progress,” a weekly paper devoted to business interests, there have been no changes of special import- ance in the newspaper field in the District during the year 1893. The year was mark- ed, however, by the introduction of im- proved appliances in nearly all of the news- paper offices. ‘The example set by The Star in the use of type-setting machinés has been adopted during the year by the Post and the News. The Star made several important additions to its plant with a view to expediting its service to the high- int possible with the most approved appliances, the chief of which were four Potter presses made expressly for The Star. Their use has enabled The Star to issue its large edition in a space of time that was impossible under former condi- tions with other presses.: An interesting feature of the year from a news stand- point was the establishment of the “Bul- letin,” a tri-daily publication, which gives an epitome of the pews of the world with special reference to events in the field of sports. ‘On the 2ith of April Mr. Frank Hatton, editor and one of, the proprietors of the Washington Post, was stricken with paral- ysis. He lingered until the 30th of May, when he died. Sport While the past year bered as a particularly promi net be remem- nt one in place during the year of intcre: The Weshingtcn Base Ball Club distinguished itself by finishing the season in eleventh place, a gain of one position in the le race. The Southern Lawn Tennis As a tion tournament was held here, and John the District champion: se Hunt Club last after rons in January a . Bookmaking was declared illegal in the District, and several bilis to Ti: i were introduced in Congres: become laws. A nunil letic clubs conducted pri the guise of sparring m: < roll Institute team won the champions in the District. Amateur Bowling League. The formation of the Associated Cycling Club was effected, and the Coiumbia Ath- letic Club took possession of its new grounds Van Ness Park. Horse racing having been made impracticable in the Dis- the matter of local sports, sUl] much took | trict two tracks were built across the river in Virginia, one on Alexander Island and the other at St. Asaph’s Junction. The District Commissioners’ office team won the District base ball championship, while the Columbia Atheletic Club team won the District foot ball championship. On Thanksgiving day George Bahen of town University was seriousiy injured in a foot bali game between the Columbia Athletic ib and the university. His spine was fractured and he stiil lies in a precarious condition. National Guard. Perhaps the most important event in the history of the District of Columbia Nation- al Guard during the year has been the erec- tion of a brigade armory on L street near 5th street northwest, adjoining Convention Hall. The structure is just completed, and the troops of the guard will take posses- sion within the next few weeks. For the first time the various companies, with but one or two exceptions, will be housed un- der one roof. Early in July, company C, stcond battalion, and company A, fourth battalion, participated in an interstate drill and encampment at Little Rock, Arkansas. ‘The former retained possession of the title of champien military company of the Unit- ed States, and secured a cash prize of ®, The latter carried off first prize in the maiden contest, with an accompanying cush prize of $#. | During the summer months a number of organizations estab- lished at their own expense camps for In- struction at points in neighboring states. A provisional regiment was formed and spent nine days under canvas at Marshall Hall. The annual interstate rifle shooting contest at Sea Girt, N. J., was attended by a team selected from the guard. eral weeks after the event at Sea Girt, & team of New Jersey rifiemen, accompanied by Gov. Werts and staff, visited Washington, and were entertained by the local soldiers. The Jerseymen were defeated in a contest at Marshall Hall by the District brigade team, Several of the companies have announced their intention of sending teams to Mem- phis, Tenn., to engage in an interstate drill to be held in that city beginning May 31 - rext. Congress has appropriated funds for a brigade encampment, which is to be held at Fort Washington, Md., about June 10 next. This will be the first brigade en- campment since 1890. The policy of arrest- ing enlisted men, absenting themselves irom drills without leave, inaugurated by Major Suess of the fifth battalion, aroused considerable interest. The guard at present is in excellent condition. Celebrations and Conventions. _ The greatest celebration in Washington ‘was the biennial encampment of the Uni- form Rank, Knights of Pythias, and the bi- ennial convention of the Supreme Lodge, Knights of Pythias. Preparations were be- gun for the escampment directly upon the return of the local representatives to the session of the order held at Kansas City in 1892. On August 24 the city began to take on buntirg and Gen. Carnahan and several members of his staff arrived in Washing- ten, The encampment was begun on Au- gust 27 at Camp George Washington, situ- ated on the Mall between the bureau of en- gravigg and printing and the Monument. Divisions of Pythiars had been arriving for several days. The Supreme Lodge began its convertion at Builders’ Exchange Hall, and the parade and review of Uniform Rank took place on the afternoon of the 28th. Camp George Washington kept its colors vp for about a week, and the Su- preme Lodge adjourned on September 15, after the iransaction of much business of vital import to the order. In temperance circles, the greatest cele- bration was that of the Neal Dow anni- versary, held at Convention Hall. Emanci- pation day was celebrated in the usual way, and the seventy-fifth anniversary of the founding of the Odd Fellows was observed. The 2#th of May was observed with a wealth of fiowers and a burst of patriotic song and speech. The Stars and Stripes anniversary was observed in June, and the annual parade of the High School Cadets followed two days later. The Fourth of July was generally celebrated, patriotic meetings were held and the usual amount of powder burnt. Labor day was observed for the first time in the District as a legal holiday, and there was a large parade of the various labor organizations. In Hebrew circles the greatest event was the celebra- tion of the festival of the New Year. Con- firmation services were held in two of the synagogues during the year. The Jewish Historical Society held its annual meeting here. Thanksgiving day was generally ob- served, d the anniversary of the birth of the Redeemer of tHe World was fittingly observed. The fifty-eighth arniversary of the Washington Light Infantry was cele- brated with interesting exercises and a dance, and the First Washirgton Colored Baptist Association held its twenty-third annual meetin, Early in the year the annual mectings of steam vessel inspectors und the American Asscciation of Inventors end Manufactur- ers were held. The Grand por of Mas- ters and Pilots of Steam Vessels met at Elks’ Hall and the Potters’ Association of the United States convened here. The Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association as- scmbled, and important mesting of the national beard of trade was held on Jan- uary 23. A convention of railroad men met in the board recom of the interstate commerce commission and discussed rail- road tariffs. In February the annual meet- ing of the National American Woman Suffrage Association was h<ld, and follow- ing this ne the convention of the Na- tional ectric Light Association. The Washington conference cf the M. E. church was held. and the National Association of The Maryland confger- > M. E. church convened at Con- gress Street Church and the American Society of Religious Education were two of the conspicvous religious events of the year. The days of early spring were made busy by the meeting of the Grand Com- mandery, nited Order of the Golden Cross, the nual meeting of the National Academy of Sziences, tke National Work- ingmen’s Protective League and the con- ion ef the Sons of the rican Revo- lution. The Washington end Maryland dentists mbled, a he meeting of the Association of Milit the United States was op: The Court of Mary Order of Foresters, met on 3 the same day th. at Breke! Associ ol . the tenth 1 cénvention of the ¢ and Com- tistics of icnal Urion of Jour- The Pan-American ague, the third convention of i urgeons, the ox Aceount~ of May. ing of the RS tute of Juyenile Workers Good Templars, the ai i meeting of the regents of Mount Vernon were some of the distin- guished events of June. During September a convention of southern business men was held here In the interests of the velopment of the souther . The an- nual convention of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew, the nationsl convention of spirit- s, the Association 9f Am: and the 2 ecican Historical jof the 2 History Socie the Americ: Greek ietter societies were held here. Denths. d of deaths o rring during the the of a number of prominent and valuable citizens in public and private life. Among those who have joined the majority are the following: homas J. Luttrell, William King,Willam Mrs. el, B. OH. Giibert Vander- B. J. Behrend, Sumby, James L. Jones, Capt. Daniel Pratt. M Robert T. i Clar resentative, of Ohio, F. C. Anna Ella Pronk Pistori, David King, : Perley Poore, John Lf. Ford, Capt_ rownell, Capt. Wilkam D. No- McCork@e, Senator Colquitt v. J. The reco year con' . Jackson, ‘der, werken, rolina,, tton, Sena- William E. mt, Sumner: deer. | € 5 henson, Jicary Beard, id W. Mahon, John Nulls Browne, C. Wight,:Jemes McNabb, Gen, Dan Macauey and Gen. J. B. Coit. WwW. J.