Evening Star Newspaper, September 10, 1895, Page 8

8 THE EVENING STAR, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, .1895-TWELVE PAGES. For Good Coler and Heavy Growth Of Hair, Use YER’S Hair Vigor. One Bottle Will Do Wonders. Try Purlfy the Blood with Ayex's Sarsaparilia. If THE BABY IS CUTTING PSETH BE SURE god use that ofl and well-tried remedy, Mes. Winslow's Soothing Syrup, for children teething. It soothes the child. sofis tie gum, allays all pain, cures wind colic anu is toe best remeds for dlartkoea. 25 cents a ge10-15 Th: well-known strengthening properties of hon, combined with other tonics and a most perfect Rervine, are found in Carter's Iron Pills, which Strengthen the nerves and body, and improve the biood” and complexion. “If you suffer from looseness of the bowels Dr. Siegert’s Angosturt Fitters will surely eure you, WHO INVENTED BILLIARDS? Brought First to England From Eu- rope and After the Second Crusade. From an Exchange. Nobody quite knows who invented bil- ards. One account says that the game was first played In Italy und another that it first saw the light in Spar It is also affirmed that it was first played in Eng- Jand in the middle ages. It is a historical fact that the Knights Templar brought it back with them to that country on their return from the second crusade, ‘There is also good reason to believe tha’ the game was played in the monasteries of France in the sixteenth century. Its origin was probably bowling, a varia- tion of which was the old game of “ground billiards.” From that it began to be played on a table, driving one ball through an ivory arch, and then to a ratsed point made also of ivory. This was the game for many years, each of the two players having a ball, the third ball not being introduced until just after the middle of the e‘ghteenth century, when what was known as the “port and ring” also disappeared. In a Harlefan manuscript in the British Museum {s found the earliest historical reference to billiards. This is interesting enough to give in detail. In the year 15: @ commission was appointed to make an inventory of the goods and chattels of Ed- ward VI, and among the Items found at his palace at “The More, Rickmansworth," was “one billet bourde covered with grene clothe." This palace was confiscated by Henry Vill, haviag criginally belonged to Cardinal Wolsey, and there is little que: tion but what that great historical char- acter actually essayed the game himself, though no record has come down as to whether he was as good a billiard player as he was a statesman. A few, but not many, of the old wr! refer to billiards, ‘Faery Queene” Spenser being one of them. Shakespeare in his “Antony and Cleopatra’’ makes that amor- ous queen, by an anachronism, play the game and also appreciate its fine poinis. Ben. Jonson, Smollet, Burton and Locke all made reference to billiards in the!r works. The game was slowly developed. The table was sometimes round, sometimes square, oblong, oval and even octagonal. Not until the beginning of this century did the billiard table appear somewhere near its present form. Prior to 1810 neither India rubber cushions, the slate bed, the tapering cue with its tip and the rest had been invented. The third ball was introduced by way of France in the middle of the e’ghteenth century, and the game was then known as the carambole. From this has been derived the word carom. Bartley & Carr, the pro- prietors of a fasnion.ble billiard room in Bath, Eng., over half a century ago, invent- ed the now well-known side stroke—strik- ing the ball low with a bevel-topp2d cue— Carr devising billiard chalk, which he gave the name of the “magic twisting chalk.” He packed it in pill boxes and made a for- tune by selling It to the fashionables of that day at half a crown (62 cents) a box. The cork tip was Invented by Capt. Min- gaud, a Freuchman, who was imprisoned early in the present century, but through a special dispensation was allowed the use of a billiard table in his apartment that he might while away the monotony of his prison life. While incarcerated he studied out this Improvement, and had the satisfac- tion afterward of seeing 1t taken up all through England and the continent. ee An Underground City. From the Buffalo Enquirer. Jules Verne thought he was writing of an altogether new and unigue thing when he told his famous story of “The Underground City,” but again truth proves to be stranger than fiction, as the Russians have discovered a big underground city in Turk- estan, near the Bokharan town of Karki. Exploration of some big caves revealed the fact that-they led to a city in the dark built thousands of years ago. According to effigies, inscriptions and designs upon the gold and silver money unearthed from among the ruins, the existence of the town dates back some two centuries before the birth of Christ. The underground Bokha- ran city is about two versts long, and is composed of an enormous labyrinth of cor- ridors, streets and scuares, surrounded by houses and other buildings two and three stories high. The edifices contain all kinds of domestic utensils, pots, urns, vases, etc. In some of the streets falls of earth and rock have obstructed the pass- age, but generally the visitor can walk about freely without so much as lowering his head. The high degree of civilization attained by the inhabitants of the city is shown by the fact that they built in sev- eral stories, by the symmetry of the streets and squares, and by the beauty of the baked clay and metal utensils, and of the ornaments and coins which have been found. It is supposed that long centuries |RAILROAD CROSSINGS Northeast Washington Citizens’ As- sociation vs, Deadly Grades. AN UN ANSWERED LETTER A Police Report Which Did Not Give Satisfaction. OTHER MATTERS DISCUSSED The Northeast Washington Citizens’ As- sociation held its regular monthly meeting last night and discussed municipal affairs until a late hour. President Tucker was in the chair. After the regular business had conciuded, President Tucker referred to the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, which, he said, had persistently violated the rules of the Commissioners and the wishes of the people. As far back as October 6, 1892, the association had declared by resolution against this railroad company and urged that proper grades be established, fences erected along the tracks, lights be pui up, guard gates built and watchmen pro- vided day and night to guard the danger- ous crossings. At the present time the subject of watchmen was under considera- tion by the association. The association had by resolution asked the Commission- ers to compel the Baltimore and Ohio Rail- road Company to keep competent watch- men all the time at the crossings. The resolution had been referred to Lieuten- ants Kelly and Heffner and they had re- ported everything all correct. As a matter of fact this was not in accord with the exact condition of affairs, for after a per- sonal examination he found the watchmen missing. With these facts in his posses- sion he had written the following letter to the Commissioners, which, up to this time had never been answered: Unanswered Letter. “In reply to your favor of the 13th in- stant transmitting reports from Lieuten- ant Kelly and Heffner, relative to two resolutions, which were presented to you on the 30th ultimo, requesting that the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company be required to keep competent watchmen all the time at the crossings of its.road with all streets and avenues, which are open to travel, within the city limits, and request- ing strict enforcement of section 16, ar- ticle 10 of the police regulations, which provides for the display of lights on the approaching end of all engines and trains, at night, permit me to state that I hope nothing contained in these resolutions will be so construed as to reflect discredit upon our police force, which is conceded to be among the most efficient in this country, but fully realizing that the most nearly perfect are lizble to error and recog- nizing the fact that a _ force ten times as large could not be so placed as to see every violation of law, we con- sider that it fs in the interest of good gov- ernment for citizens to suggest such new regulations as will better protect the in- terest and promote the general welfare of the public, and to call attention to such breaches of existing regulations as are guparcatly unnoticed by the officers of the jaw. Not Borne Out. “In regard to th: report from Lieut. Kel- ly will say, after full consideraticn, that the statement therein contained that watch- men are stationed, all the time, at the crossings of E street, Massachusetts ave- nue and G street, is not substantiated by evidence, and is not the fact. If the lieu- tenant makes this statement from the tes- timony of the officers who are on that beat, those officers certainly never pass sald crossings after 9 o’clcck at night, or, if they do, they must be very unobservant officers; just a casual observer who uses those streets would surely notice that the gates of these crossings are never used after 9 o’clock p.m. Personal investigation for three successive nights developed the fact that these crossings are entirely un- protected from 9 o'clock p.m. until the fol- lowing morning; watch boxes are closed and gates are up, with no lanterns on thin, showing that it is not intended to use them at night; from this it is seen that those who use these crossings after 9 o'clock p.m. do so at the peril of their lives, and as these crossings are used by a very. large number of people, testimony is abundant ‘o corroborate the above statemént and to verify the fact that the company has never kept watchmen at these crossings at night. “Relative to the statements of both the Heutenants thai they are not aware of any violations of section .16, article 10 of the police regulations, State that the reso- lution was offered by a gentleman who re- sides near the railroad, who stated that the company does not comply with the regulations, and this statement was cor- roborated by many who reside in the same locality and are familiar with the facts. i Entirely Unprotected. “Now, by the reports of the lieutenants it Is seen that five of the crossings are un- protected after 9 o'clock p.m, and ones after 12 p.m., and from the above state- ment that three more are added, making nine important crossings where the lives of our citizens are jeopardized every night, the very time when extra precautions should be teken to prevent accidents, the motion of trains at night being very de- ceiving and confusing. All of these cross- ings are important, and protection should be afforded at all times. Not a night passes that a large number of lives are not endangered at every one of them. But J desire to call your attention to several of these crossings which are especially dangerous, owing to the large amount of travel over them, and for other reasons. Massuchusetts Avenue Crossing. “First. The crossing at Massachuset‘s avenue 1s but one square from the depot and only a few hundred feet from the freight house, and ow!ng to the fact that it is the practice of the company to place ago this city, so carefully concealed in the bowels of the earth, provided an entire population with a refuge from the incur- sions of the nomadic savages and robbers. ewe Lord Campbell Marched Through. Lord Archibald Campbell and his high- lard pipers marched through Glencoe, Scetland, last night, playing a dirge. Lord Archibald devised this project as an ex- piation for the historical massacre of Glen- coe by the Campbells. His project, how- ever, was not accepted by the inhabitants of the Glen In the spirit in whic it was intended, and the descendents of the mas- sacred McDonalds gave his lordship notice that if he or any others belonging to the clan who murdered thelr ancestors should attempt a demonstration in Glencoe they would send round the fiery cross and break their heads. Lord Archibald, howaver, de- termined to put through his project, and askec for police protection. It was fear- ed the proposed demonstration would revive the old feud between the ins, but the march through the glen was accom- pis’ night without disorder. The Mc Donalds gave no sign of approval, but they made no hostile demonstration. -coe A Kan the testimony concerning a summer girl's tr Miss Dodie Marchmont will go to Topeka temcrrow to visit friends.—Leavenworth T'mes. Miss Dodie Marchmont of Leavenworth is si friends in the cit: Topeka Jour- nal, A party wa Miss who | Journal. lis; Dodie Marchmont of this city, who s visiting friends In Topeka, had a ‘party given Im her honor recently.—Leavenworth Times. Miss Dodie Marchmont, who is visitin friends in this city, will return home tomo: row.—Topeka Journal. Mies Dodle Marchmont, who has been vis- given last night in honor of Dodie Marchinont of Leavenworth, visiting Topeka fi s.—Topeka freight cars, make-up trains of empty cars, &c., at night, there is a very large amount of travel over the road at this point. I have counted as many as eight passages of engines over the crossing in fifteen min- utes; an average of one passage in every two minutes. Now, when you consider that Massachusetts avenue is the main thor- oughfare between the northwest and Capi- tol Hill, Southeast Washington and Ana- costia, and that a large number of resi- dents of these latter localities who drive, or ride on bicycles, in the suburbs of the northwest section of the city return by way of Massachusetts avenue after o'clock p.m. and cross the railroad at this point, you can readily conceive the danger are subjected to and the necessity for pro- tection. The Bloody Y. ‘Second. The G street crossing is at the lower branch of the blood-stained ‘Y,’ the point from which the Metropolitan branch and the Washington branch diverge, and by reason of the fact that trains approaching on the latter branch round a sharp curve at H street is rendered exceedingly dange cts; for instance, a person approaching this crossing from the west will look up and down the Metropolitan branch, end, seeing 10 danger, will venture to cross, and by the time he reaches the tracks of the Washing- ton branch a rapidly moving train may round the curve and be upon him; this was fully illustrated some time ago, when a cart was demolished and the driver dashed into eternity without a moment's warning. Two Others. “Third. The crossing at the intersection of 4th and I streets is very important; 4th street being the only north and south street between Ist and 10th streets at which the tracks are on the street grade, and as it is concreted to K street, it Is a great thor- ocughfare for drivers and bicyclists, and protection should certainly be afforded at all times. 5 ‘Fourth, Seventh street, being the direct route to the Deaf Mute College, ts very much used by the inmates of that institu- tion in going tq and from the Columbia cars, and recognizing the fact that those who have control of all their faculties have iting friends in Topeka, returned to her home in this city today. — Leavenworth Times, to be cautious and watchful in order to cross the tracks in safety, it would seem that extra precautions should be taken to prevent accidents at a crossing which isso frequently used by those who are deprived of the important sense of hearing. Morning Hours. “These crossings are all very much used by route wagons, delivering bread, milk, ete., in the early morning hours; and, as the day watchmen do not enter upon duty until G o'clock a.m., ‘these teams are afforded no Erotection whatever. Many accidents, in- curring more or less injury to drivers, horses and wagons, have occurred to these teams, a ‘number of which have been brought to my attention: A baker recently mentioned an accident to one of his teams in the early morning, in which his horse was severely injured, wagon broken and his driver had a very narrow escape. I was in- formed subsequently that the company had paid for the damages, and the matter was kept quiet; it appears that the company prefers to pay for damages than to employ additional watchmen. Just as Important. “In view of the facts herein presented, it must be apparent to all fair-minded people that the request contained in the resolu- tion is just and reasonable. I understand that requests by the Commissioners that night watchmen be provided at crossings of the Pennsylvania road have been promptly complied with. Protection is just as neces- sary at the crossings of the Baltimore and Ohio road as at those of the Pennsylvania road, and as the expense of providing a few extra watchmen would be very small to a large and prosperous corporation, the citi- zens would be justified in construing a re- fusal by the company to comply with a re- quest for better protection as narrow mind- ed and penurious, and as evidence of disre- gard for the safety of the public.” Since that letter was received. however, said Mr. Tucker, he had met Lieut. Kelly. and that officer had changed his report and apologized for his mistake. “Yes,” interposed Mr. Sowerbutts, ‘he told me he had been misinformed. That he had applied to Superintendent Alvey of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad for the fcrmation, and that he had misled inim. Mr. Tucker thought it strange that an official of the District government should go tc a railroad official for information con- cerning his road when he had plenty of of- ficers passing there all hours of the night. Street Improvements. Mr. Loring Chappell desired to criticise the action of the committee in filing the street report, and said chat while the Bal- timore and Ohio railroad subject was en- titled to much consideration, he thought the improvement of the stre2ts in North- east Washington of the utmost importance and entitled to equal attention. He en- deavored to talk about the new schedule, and had some interesting facts and figures, but the association, by motion, declared it- self opposed to further discussion on the subject, and the matter went over. Trustee Representation. The following report of the executive committee, relative to the proposed occu- pancy of basements in school buildings by pupils, was submitted: Whereas, This association has proven it- self fully abreast with the times and active ‘In securing the advancement of the in- terests of the citizens of Northeast Wash- ington, and especially arsisting in provid- ing the school children with better and more sanitary accommedations, and wheres as, the health officer has advised the im- propriety of using cellars or basements of existing school buildirgs for the purpo: of teaching therein, and whereas, this a) sociation has protested in unmistakable terms against any such insanitary quar- ters for such use, and against the school authorities for recommending to our citl- zens of the northeast such unhealthy and il-provised accommodations, and whereas, the honorable Commissioners have given this association the assurance of their co- operation in the securement of the greatly needed additional school building in the northeast section of the city, and whereas, this association believe it would be to the best interests of this section of the city to petition the honorable Commissioners of the District of Columbia to appoint a rep- resentative resident of Northeast Wash- ington on the school beard, believing such an appointment to be just and equitable to the citizens of this section of the city. Therefore be it resolved, That this associa- tion respectfully petition the honorable Commission:rs of the District of Columbia in selecting and appointing the trustees of the public schools for the ensuing term to appoint one trustee for public schools from among the resident representative citizens of the northeast section of the city; and be it further resolved, that a committee, consisting of three members of this asso- ciation, Including the president, shall wait upon the honcrable Commissioners of the District of Columbia and prevent this peti- tion. Toe report was adopted. M: Josiah Millard sald he noticed that the report did not mention anybody for the position 8f school trustee. He thought this was wrong and presented the name of E. R. Haight. Mr. Donaldson said he thought Mr. E. Dalrymple would make a good trustee. President Tucker advised against the as- sociation as a body indorsing any candi- date, and the association finally voted to submit the repert without recommenda <ion. President Wood, from the Benning Asso- ciation, urged the assoctation to indorse the proposition to set apart Graceland ceme- tery in whole or part as a public park. Before the meeting closed a resolution was adopted Instructing the committee on steam railroads to require the B. and O. Railroad Company to keep a watchman all night at the E street crossing. * —_._—_ STEAM ENGINEERS. Statistics Contained in the Annual Re- port of the Board. The annual report of the board of steam engineers for the last fiscak year shows that during that period 155 applications for Iicenses were received, of which number 126 were approved. Twenty-nine appli- cants were found not competent for any class of license, sixteen were granted licenses of the first class, thirty-five for the second class and seventy-five for the third class. They say that the law reg- ulating steam engineering and the riz! examination of applicants for steam eng! neers’ license has been a great benefit to the community, ..3 we now have a better class of engineers running steam plants, which is proven by the fact that during the year no accidents have occurred with any of the steam boilers In the District. —_+—_—_ DISTRICT GOVERNMENT. Marketmen Must Move. Owing to the obstruction caused by the material used in the construction of the new cable extension of the Washington and Georgetown railroad from the western ter- minus of the road to the union station, the farmers attending the Georgetown market will be compelled to move their wagons and occupy the east and west market space for the smaller wagons and the cast side of Potomae street between M and Prospect avenue for the larger ones. Attorney Thomas recommends this as a solution of the difficulty. Bullding Permits. Building permits were issucd today as follows: Fifteenth Street M. E. Society, new house of worship at the corner-of 15th and R streets northwest, $30,000; A. M. Green, frame house, Anacostia, $1,200; Mrs. Charlotte G. Rook, addition to frame house No. 1752 P street northwest, $1,500; Edwi Harrison, brick addition to dwelling Sth street southwest, $500, —_~—__ The House of the Good Shepherd. The annual report of the House of the Good Shepherd was made public today. During the year the average number of in- mates in the institution was 91. Of this rumber 50 were admitted during the year. Six left the institution, 2 were provided with homes, 1 was dismissed, 2 died and 27 returned to relatives. An appropriation of $3,000 is requested from Congress. a The Way He From Youth's Companton. On a New England farm not long ago it was nécessary to count a flock of geese, and Pompey, a colored boy, was stationed at a little gate through which the geese were to be driven, and was told to count them as they passed. “One, two,” began Pompey, loudly, “tree! Dar goes anudder! Dar goes anudder! Dar goes anudder!” “What do you mean by that?” demanded the farmer, hurrying up to the excited darkey. “Why,” said the innocent boy, “T cyan’t count no furder dan tree in num- bers, massa, so I hab to do it dat way!” £7 Counted. ——— SURFACE WORK Annual Report of: Captain Fiebiger, First Assistant Engineer. BETENT OF LAST YEAR'S OPERAFIONS patie eae Grading and Paving the Streets and Alleys in’ the District. — STREET RAILROAD MATTERS The annual report of Capt. G. J. Fiebeger, first assistant engineer commissioner, and in charge of the surface department of the District government; was submitted to the Commissioners today. This report is always one of the most in- teresting received by the Commissioners, since it contains a detailed statement of the work done during the year. It also contains interesting matter relative to the sidewalks of the city, its trees, ete. A spe- clal report upon a compressed air motor for propelling street cars is also submitted. The report says: “I have the honor to submit the follow- ing report Of the operations of the surface department for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1805. The nature of the work 1s shown in the following statement of appropria- tions and expenditures: [A pp ropria-/E x pend Nature of work. jtlon, —1894-|tures and It- (95. abilities. For work on strects ond avenues . -- | $145,750 00 } $145,750 00 Construction" of "county reads und suburban streets . -.| 68,590 00} 66,230 6o Tuprovements (permit system) 135,000 00 | 134,773 88 Repairs to concrete pave- ments .. 150,000 00 | 149,994 36 Repairs to streets, ave- aues and alleys.......| 85,000 00] 34,901 60 Repalring sidewalks and curbs. :+}] 5,000 00} 5,000 00 Repairs to county roads. 40,000 00 | 39,943 56 Cure of bridges... 2 | 15,000 00} 14,648 65 Surveys on account of division of land. 2,500 00} 2,499 28 Parking commission. je seme 00 | 15,000 00 Contingent expenses, “en gineer stable. 5,500 00] 5,494 86 Rent of property yard. 300 00 300 00 Board of examiners | steam ¢nginee 900 00} — 9,000 00 Surveyor's ce, l- March 2, 1895. 4,000 00 8,953 19 Work on Streets and Avenues. The following summary shows the amount of work done since the last annual report: Sheet asphalt on concrete, six-inch base, square yards... Sheet asphalt on concrete, inch base, square yards. Sheet asphalt on cobb! square yar Sheet asphalt cn macadam base, square yards. Asphalt block, square yards. Granite block, square yards. Brick sidewalk, laid and relaid, 82,568.05, four- square yards.. acs 1,454.32 Curb, laid and relaid, linear feet.. 24,805.01 Cobble gutters and crossings, Square yards.. 8.40 Vitritiea square yards .. Cobble removed, sq «id curb removed, linear feet. Grading, earth, cuble:yards. Grading, macadam,.cubie yards... Gravel roadw: square yards. 3, 366. This work was all done by contract at the following prices; Sheet asphalt on six-inch concrete base, exclusive of grading, per square yard Sheet a base, exclusive of grading, per square block gutters, yard . 5 sae 1.53 Sheet asphalt on cobble base, exclusive of grading, per square yard. AS Asphalt block on conerete base, ex- clusive of grading, per, square yard Asphalt block on geavel base, exclu- sive of grading, per square yard. Granite block on ‘gravel base, exclusive of grading and cost of blocks, per square yard Soe Relaying. bric! , exclusive of grading, per square yard.... 6x20 granite curb set, exclusive of grading, per linear foot 6x20 granite curb, delivered at prop- erty vard, per linear foot 8x8 granite curb set on six crete base, per linear foot. §x8 granite curb, delivered at property yards, per linear foot .6744 to .70% Resetting 6x20 granite curb, per near foot 08 Cobble gutters, exclusive of material, per square yard. sh 35 Vitrified block gutters of six-inch con- crete base, exclusive of cost of block 1.00 Vitrified block, delivered at property yard. per 1,000... ze 22.50 Cobble taken up and *emoved to prop- erty yard, per square yard 12 Curb taken up and removed erty yard, per linear foot.......... .06 Grading earth, 2,500 feet haul, per cubic yard. ++. IT to .30 Grading macadam, 2,500 feet haul, per cubie yard... See 50 Hauling earth and macadam, cach 500 feet over first 2,500 feet, per cuble yard.. 071% to 2244 Bluestone 2urb, set, per linear foot... .0S The price paid for sheet asphalt pave- ment during the present fiscal year is the lowest price ever paid for similar work in the District. This was due to competition between the compantes using Trinidad Lake and those using Bermudez asphalt. Constructing County Roads and Su- burban Streets. The following gives a summary of the amount of :vork done on these roads and streets during the fiscal year 1895: Sheet asphalt on six-inch base, 742.32 Square yards; sheet asphalt on four-inch base, 4,105.01 square yards; macadam, 10,- 081.56 square yards, gravel, 11,333.88 square yards; grading, 71,351 cubie yards. The most important improvement under this appropriation were the widening of 18th street northwest between Florida ave- nue and Columbia road; the widening of 14th street extended between Kenyon strect and Whitney avenue, and the grading and graveling of Sherman avenue. Grading Streets, Alleys and Roads. This appropriation is for the hire of carts, purchase of tools, etc., for the use of the ckain gang, which is employed in grading unimproved streets. During the fiscal year the following streets were thus improved: Al street, extended, northeast; 17th street east; D street. 10th to 15th strects south- east, Ith atreet, Pennsylvania avenue to K street scatheast; K southeast, lth to 15th streets; 19th street, A to B strects southeast, and C street, 16th to 17th streets northeast. Permit Work, The following table gives a sumraary of the werk dcne in improving alleys and side- walks: Regu- Asses3- To- lar. ment. tal. Asphalt block, sq. yds- L1G 5740 5856 Granite block, repaved, sq. yds... nes ceeee 6 68 Vitrified brick, repaved, sq. yds... a Dies 8 Vitrified block, sq. ydS... 8 14290 14208 Cobble, sq. yds + 166 196 362 Curb set, lin. ft. + 8037 11033 17579 Curb reset, lin. ft. 1562 898) 24651 Flag relaid, lin. fe. + 464 42 Granolithic walk, sq,1d8. 10657 18316 Agphalt tile walk, sq-yds. 303 111 Brick walk laid, sq-yds... 4192 15860 Brick walk relaid, sq.yds. ...... 23772 Grading, cub. yas. we 6178 10770 ‘i New sidewalks are paved with gruno- lithic mixture, asphalt, tile or ordinary paving brick; alleys are paved with as- phalt block, vitrified paving brick and block. The average cust of these improvements is as follows: Granolithic walk, $1.44 per square yard; asphalt tile walk, $1. per square yaid; paving brick walks, 70 cents per square ard; asphalt block payement, $2.10 per square yard, and yitrified brick and block pavement, $1.98 per square yard. Nearly three times as many square yards of granolithic sidewalks were laid during the fiscal year as during any previous year. ‘The alley pavements, which have hereto- fore beer laid by hired labor, were this year laid by contract. ‘A comparison with previous years shows that the vitrified block pavements have cost about 20 cents more per square yard, wile the asphalt block pavements have cost the same as heretofore. Replacing Sidewalks and Curb _ Around Public Reservations. Under this appropriaticn new granolithic sidewalks were laid on the north side of Pennsylvania avenue between 13th and 13% streets; on the east side of 5th street between F and G streets northwest (bor- dering Judiciary Square); cn the south side of K street (bordering McPherson Square); intersection of Rhode Islana avenue and M street; on the east side of 20th between Q and Connecticut avenue. The sidewalks on 7th street through the Mall, around Du- pent and Iowa Circles were repaired out of the same appropriation. Repairs to Concrete Pavements. The term “concrete pavements” is ap- plied to all the smooth pavements of the city, whether coal-tar distillate, asphalt or asphalt block. On July 1, 1894, the total area of these pavements was 2,521,839 square yards. ‘The increased cost of resurfacing during the fiscal year was due to the fact that many of the old coal-tar pavements were so much out of shape that it became neces- sary to wholly remove and relay them with new pavements. Current Repairs to Streets, Avenues and Alleys. This appropriation provides for the re- pairs of all roadway pavements other than those paved with esphalt or coal tar, atl alley pavements not relaid under the per- mit system, sidewalks around public res- ervations, all repairs made necessary by the growth of trees and all cuts made by the sewer department. This work is done by hired labor. A detailed statement of work under this appropriation will be found in the report of the superintendent of streets. Repairs to County Ronds. An itemized’ Msi of expenditures during the fiscal year may be found in the report of the superintendent of county roads, Mr. George N. Beale. The work consisted in making general repairs on all the county roads and subur- ban streets in the District, viz: Macadam- izing and graveling, repairing washouts, cleaning gutters, repairing culverts, sprink- ling, ete. Care of Bridges. The principal work of the year was the replacement of two old style wooden bridges by steel-girder constructions. The remainder of the appropriation was used in making ordinary repairs upon the sixty- five bridges now under charge of this de- Sertant ON dateile? etetan ditures may be found in the report of the Cug-uecr UL LIdgeS. Parking Comriission The work of the parking commission consisted, principally, in taking care of the 000 trees which now line the city streets. Six hundred and forty new trees were planted and 580 dead trees were removed from the streets. The entire appropria- tion was expended witain the city lmits, as the amount did not warrant undertak- ing improvements in the suburbs. A full report of the operations may be found in the report of the superintendent of the parking commission. During the fiscal year the following sub- divisions have been put on record: Gar- field Heights, Congress He'ghts, Mills Es- taie, Girls’ Portion and Clermont—about 105 acres in all. Surveyor, D. C. Upon March 1, 1895, the “Act makng the surveyor of the District of Columbia a salaried Gflicer and to provide for a more efficient service in the surveyor's offic received the approval of the President. The deficiency ect, approved March 2, 1895, appropriated $3,500 for the salaries and $4) for- contingent expenses for the remainder of the fiscal year. In accordance with the aboye act, upon March 28, 18%, the Comm: ners approyv- ed a schedule of fees to Le charged by that office. Since the passage of the act the surveyor has made over thirty o 1 surveys for the United States and the Dstrict of Co- lumbia, thereby setiling many disputed points. At his request, he is now furnished a list of all improvemen:s, so that pegs and benches which would be d urbed by the improvement may be properly located be- fore the improvement is made. Heretofore nearly all points of reference have been marked with wooden pegs, which are Hable to be destroyed; it is proposed as soon as money lecomes available to mark points of reference for every square with durable metal stakes. Street Railroads. At the last session of Congress the fol- lowing acts affecting street railroads were passed: Public act No. 75, an act authorizing the Metropolitan Railway Company to iay a single track upon L, Water and P streets southwest; to lay a single track upon P, 36th, Prospect and 35th streets, George- town; requiring the Brightwood, Rock Creek, Georgetown and Tenieytown raiiway companies to sell four coupon tickets for 25 cents, good for one continuous ride in the District of Columbia over the lines of sald companies and the Metropolitan Rail- road Company; authorizing the Metropoli- tan and Rock’ Creek railroad companies ty contract with each other for the pur- chase, sale, lease or joint operation of the line on Florida avenue and U street or any part thereof. Public act No. $9, “An act authorizing® the Rock Creek Railroad Company to con- tract with any street railway company owning or operating a connecting or inter- secting line for the joint management, j lease or purchase of such connecting or in- tersecting line, and operate the same in connection with its original line; provided, that only one fare, not exceeding the rate ncw authorized by law, shall be charged for a single continuous ride in the District of Columbia over the lines affected by such contract or any part thereof. In the event that said company enter into such contract, the .company is authorized to change its name to the Capital Traction Company. Public act No. 99, “An act amending the charter of the Maryland and Washington Railway Company, authorizing said com- pany to institute proceedings for the con- demnation of so much land as may be re- quired for the extension of Rhode Island #venue; provided, that the strip so to ne acquired by condemnation shall be 130 feet in width, and shall be located according to the official plats for the extension of Rhode Island avenue; and provided, fur- ther, that all the land within the line of the proposed extension of Rhode Island avenue which shall be acquired by pur- chase or condemnation shall by appropriate conveyance be dedicated before tracks are laid thereon. That the line of said railway company from 4th street northeast ex- tended to a point at or near the inters2c- tion of Rhode Island avenue extended shall be commenced within six months and com- pleted within twelve months from March 2, 1895; that the company is authorized to ex- tend its line along Rhode Island avenue to North Capitol street, and thence south over the line of the Eckington and Sol- diers’ Home Railway Company to F street.” Public act No.100, “An act to authorize the Washington and Marlbcro’ Railroad Com- pany of Maryland to extend its line Into and within the District of Columbia.” Public act No. 101, “An act to incorps- rate the Capital Railway Company. During the fiscal year the transformation of the Columbia railway into a cable rail- way was completed. The work was well done, and the streets through which it passes are now all in good condition. The Pavement between the rails is vitrified brick, and between tracks sheet alphal*. Two longitudinal courses of bricks are laid adjacent to the rails. Wherever possible, projections above the pavement upon this road were avoided, and, in consequence, the streets have been left in a better con- dition than by any previous conduit rail- way company.- The Transformed 9th Street Line. During the year the transformation of the 9th street line of the Metropolitan rail- way into a conduit electric road was be- gun and nearly completed. For future ref- erence, the following description of the work was obtained from “The Strect Rail- way Journal,” August, 1895, and from Mr. A. N. Connett, the engineer in charge. ‘The exact length of the track from 10th street and Florida avenue to the southern terminus at P and 4% streets southwest is 40,800 feet, or 7.73 miles. ‘The slot rail is the same as used on the Baltimore City Passenger Railway Com- pany's cable lines, with the exception of the water drip at the edge of the slot: it weighs sixty-seven pounds to the yard. ‘The wheel rail is seven inches deep, with the Wachington groove; its weight is elghty-three pounds. The gard rail is the Same depth, and takes the same splice bar; its weight is elghty-seven pounds. The splice bars are thirty inches long, nine- sixteenths of an inch thick, and bolted on with six one-inch bolts. The yok2s weigh 2 pounds. Their depth from grade is thirty- one inches. The depth of the tube is twenty-five inches. Every thirteen and a half feet a large manhole, frame and cover, extending from track to slot rail, and twenty inches wide, is placed; opposite to this Is placed a small frame and cover just sufficiently large to hold an insulator. The corner of the large frame is also ar- ranged to take the opposite insulator. The insulators In this way are clear from and entirely independent of the yokes. The conduit is formed entirely of Port- land cement concrete. In the entire space taken up by, and between, and two feet outside of the outer rails a concrete paving base is placed, made cf natural cement. The insulator is of porcelain. It is quite large, being four inches in diameter and seven and a half inches deep over all. It is held tn an iron cap, and in turn it sup- ports a rod by having the corrugations filled with neat Portland cement. The cement has proved very satisfactory; in fact, the assembled insulator seems to be abundantly strong mechanically for the rough usage to which it may be subjected. A malleable iron clip is held by cast iron nuts to the insulator bolt, and the-clip in turn supports the conductor rail. Adjust- ment in a direction at right angles to the slot is provided for in the clip where the insulator bolt is held, while in a direction parallel to the slot the adjustment 1s made in the seat for the insulator case on the frame The conductor rail is made of mild steel. It isa “T™ section, weighing twenty- three and a half pounds to the yard. Its equivalent section in copper is assumed to be 300,000 circular miles. One half of the road is -double anid the remaining half single bonded. These are of the type called the “Chicago rail bonds.” Between the bend terminals 000 stranded cable is used to make them flexible. The circuit being made on the insulated conductor rails, the wheel rails are not bonded. Hatches are provided every 400 feet, by which the con- ductor rails, twenty-seven feet iong, are placed in the tube after it is finished. For the purpose of drainage the tracks are connected by large sewer pipes to the manholes, from which connection is made to the sewer. The tracks are so drained about every 400 feet. Feed wire ducts are laid from the station to 9th and U streets, nearly the whole length of the line. To 9th and F streets, a distance of 10,400 feet, twelve way ducts are laid, and from there on four way ducts are used. The reason for laying the twelve way ducts Is that the station is intended to operate hereafter the east half of the east and west line, which crosses the 9th street line at F street. For the {th street line 25,600 feet_of 1,000,000 C. M. and 32,400 feet of 500,000 C. M. lead-cov- ered cable is used. The road is divided into four distinct cir- cults. At F street the line is cut and each track is made separate both north and south of F street. Below F street the conductor rails are used alone. Above F street the cables are tapped into the con- ductor rails about every 800 feet. : Cost of the Work. No final estimates having been made, it is impossible to give actual figures of cost, but the cost per mile of single track (of straight track), based on actual contract figures, is hereby given: Wheel rails, slot rails and joints... $6,468.00 Conductor ratls. 1,287.20 Bolts, nuts, rods, &c. Yokes, manholes, and all cast iron. Insulators Malleable iron clips. Bonds, finished (single bonding) Excavatior First-class ec yr tube. Second-class concrete for paving base . Zee - Track laying, hauling and tempo- rary trac! os Asphalt paving, in, one-half way between, and two feet outside of tracks .. washers, liners, 7,497.60 $34,811.40 Where block paving is taken up in exist- ing tracks and relaid this price is reduced to $20,832. These figures are for a straight, single track, mile complete, but they include noth- ing for laying ducts, drains, subsurface obstructions, special track work or any extras. The power station, located at Four-and-a- half and P streets southwest, contains three nominal 400 horse-power tandem compound condensing Greene engines, made by the Providence Steam Engine Company, directly connected to 300 K. W. wenerators, made by the General Electric Company. The engine speed is slightly re- duced to lower the voltage from that of the ordinary overhead plants fifty volts, 1. e., the voltage is 450 at no load com- pounded to 500 at normal load. Waier for condensing purposes is taken directiy from the river by a ten-inch pipe. and overflow from condenser is fourscen-ine’ pipe. Equipment, twenty-five motors, twenty- five open ‘trailers, twenty-five closed. Twenty trains kept on street, headway be- tween two and three minutes. Rock Creek Park. The board of conirol of Nock Creek Park, consisting of the chief of engineers, United States army, and the Commissioners of the District of Columbia, assumed control of the park January 1, i895. The Commissioners directed to superin- tendent ef police to detail one mounted police officer to take charge of the park under the orders of the secretary. Private J. T. Morgan was so detailed and has performed the difficult duty of policing this extensive area to the complete satis- taction of the board of control. Many of the old cabins which had hither- to been left standing were destroyed and removed under his supervision, without cost to the District. A few of the places have been rented to responsible parties, un- der authority of Congress. Special Reports. In pursuance to orders, on October 27, 1804, an inspection was made of the Me- karski compressed air motor at Westfield, Mass. The motor examined is of about eight tons weight, sixteen and one-half feet in length, inside measurement, and twenty- three feet over all. The compressed air is stored in tanks under the car body, from which it is passed through reducing valves into a tank containing hot water, and from there to the engine cylinders. The total capacity of the air tanks is about eighty- nine cubic feet, and of the water tanks twenty-eight gallons. The engine is placed in rear of and connected with the rear wheels of each car only. Arrangements are made for connecting the rear anu front wheels if deemed necessary. The diameter of cylinder is 5% inches, and the stroke nine inches; the diameter of the car wheels, twenty-seven inches. The hot water tank is a vertical cylinder placed upon the platform. The mode of operating is as follows: The car is brought to the power hcuse, where the air tanks are connected with a Rand compressor, and in about fifteen minutes charged to pressure of about 650 pounds. At the same time the water in the tank is heated by steam to about 320 degrees. The car being charged, the mo- torman, by means of valves, lets the air into the hot water tank and then into the cylinders, and controls his engine as he would if he were running with steam. The brake is also worked by compressed air. At the time of my visit, three of these ears were in operation upon a line two miles long. The motors were charged at the end of each run of four miles, though I was informed that by careful operating they could make a double run with a single charge at 750 pounds pressure. The track is an ordinary street railway track in fair repair, generally level, but with one short grade of perhaps 4 per cent. The ordinary pressure in the cylinders when running being from one to two hun- dred pounds, the available pressure is the excess of thi Tne cars which were examined were run- ning on their regular schedule time, so no record of speed was attempted. It might be added that this motor is a French invention, which has been intro- duced into this country by Mr. James F. Lewis of the Rand Drili Compan whom I am indebt-d for the privile; nted me. Upon February 21, 1895, an examin: was made of the Hardi2 compressed air moter at Rome, New York. The motor examined is abont eight and a hulf tous weight and is of the size of the Broadway few Yors, or Columbia rail- road caine car. se compressed aic Is stored in cylin- annesmann bot- through reduc- drical cases of stezl ‘} tles," from which it passe: ing valves Into a hot water tank, placed under the boy of the car. From this tank it passes through tubes to the valves jocated upon each of the platforms and thence to the engines. ‘The operating mechanism occuples less space on the platform than that of the ordinary electric motor. The engines are placed under the car, and are connected with all four wheels. The diameter of each cylinder is six inches, and the stroke fourteen inches; the diameter of the = aeel is eleven inches. The hot water tank con- tains about 87 gallons, and the air tanks 35 cubie feet. An experimental trip was made with this motor on the tracks of the New York Central railroad, cast of Rome. A table is inserted giving the details of the trip. This table indicates that between the ranges of pressure, 2025 and 200, the car could be run cn the seme track a distance of thirteen miles under conditions similar to those existing at the time. The car car- ried twenty-six yassengers; the trip was. made in a snow storm, but upon a nearly level track in fine condition. Among the passengers were Gen. Her- man Haupt, consulting engineer of the company, and Mr. Hardie, the inventor of the motor, to whom I am indebted for the: privilege of examining this motor. It is learned from one of the current en- gineer journals that a trial of a compressed: air motor will be made upon the {th ave- nue line, New Yerk city. - Fenders. 2 Upon November 25, 18M, an order was: received to investigate the subject of fen- ders for the street carz in Washington op- erated other than by horse power. A report was submitted December 22, 1894, recommending a front and a wheel- guard fender and naming the Blakistone. front and the Blakistone, Brightwood and ue wheel guards as suitable for the pur- Regulations requiring the railway com- panies, within a reasonable time, to equip their cars with the fenders named, or others which might be afterward approved by the Commissioners. were drawn ap, submitted to the attorney and finally adopted. Since that time the Claude front and wheel-guard fenders and Parmenter wheel gvard have likewise been approved. Most of the cars in the city are now equipped with the Blakistone or Clauje front fender and the Blakistone, Claude or Brightwood wheel guard. Since the fenders have been attached to the cars three children have been picked up without injury by the front fender; in one case the car was running at a rate of twelve miles an hour. No perscr has yet been picked up by the wheel guard, but I have been informed by the officers of three companies that they have picked up several dogs without injur- ing them at all; in one case the speed was estimated at over fifteen miles an hour. ———.—_—_ Mutual Confidences., From the Jybaert de Kater. An amusing anecdote of a lady and gen- tleman who were traveling together runs as follows: They were strangers to each other. All at once the gentleman said: “Madam, may I ask you to look out of the window? I should like to make some change in my toilet.” “Certainly, sir,” she readily replied, at the same time getting up and turning her back upon him. : A few moments afterward he said: “Now, madam, I have finishel, and you can sit down again. When the lady looked round she saw her male companion transformed into en eie- gant lady, wearing a thick veil. “And now, sir or madam, whatever you are,” said the lady, “I would also request you to put your face out of the window, as I, too, wish to make some alteration in my attire. “Certainly, madam,” and the man in wo- man’s clothes turned at once the other way. ‘Now you can resume your seat.” To his great astonishment the man in woman's garb, on sitting down again, saw his traveling companion transformed into aman. He burst out laughing and said: “It appears that we are both trying to run away. What have you done? I have been robbing a bank.” “And I,” said the quondam lady, as he fitted the “darbies” round his fellow-pas- senger’s wrists, “am Detective J from Amsterdam, and have been on your track tor the last couple of days; and now” (pre- senting a revolver) “keep’ still.” ——_--e-+___. An Old Lady's Predicament. From the Gentlewoman. Last week a friend of mine, feeling the heat very trying, went out to sit upon the balcony of her house. Her husband,- com- ing into the drawing room and finding it empty, concluded that she had gone up- stairs to bed, and therefore he shut and barred the windows. Feeling refreshed by the night air, my friend, who, by the way, was an old lady, sat on watching the stars. When she at last tried “to return into her drawing rocm ske found herself locked out. The streets were empty and deserted; in vain she knocked at her inhospitable wirdows and called. The night became suddenly chilly, and a fine drizzle came on, but still the dear old lady was locked out of her own house. At Jast she managed to attract the attention of @ passing coachman, who sent a man to ring the front door bell, arouse :he servants and inform the sleepy, blinking man-serv- ant that his mistress was locked out on the baleony. The knocking and ringing roused the house, and every one ran down en robe de chambre, with a wild fear of telegrams or accidents in their eyes, to find the dear grandmamma of the establishment—weary, exhausted and damp, and most humaniy indignant at the uncomfortable hour had been forced to spend on her balcony. ———+0+—___ A Way to Stop Dueling. From the Minneapolis ‘Tribune, A Mexican court has devised a mode of punishing dueling which will perhaps be more effective than the death penalty. The survivor in a fatal duel, in addition to three years’ imprisonment and a fine, is sentenced to pay the family of his victim $4,500 a year for eighteen years, to pay all costs of the victim's funeral and the costs of court. Ir the face of such a penalty as this, most men will conclude that there is not enough honor in dueling to justify th¢, risk. —+0+ On the Test. From the Toledo Blade. Millie—“If you were in love with two men, and didn't know which one to choose, what would you do? Tillie—“Put them to the test.” Millie—"A duel?” Tillie—“Nothing so absurd. Walk them both by an ice cream parlor, and see which, ene turns palest.” see -- Not Easily Discouraged. From the Toledo Blade, Harie—“Why does Marie still continue to look under the bed every night?” Adelle—"She is one of the kind that never gives up hop: ACOMMON CAUSEOFSICK NESS &¢rous as Decayed Foods. Every one knows or ought to know that decayed feeds sre poisonous. Boards of health scek’ to pre- vent their sale. We now have in mind the results which follow the decay and decomposition of foods after they have been eaten, for unless digestion occurs within a reasonable time after our meals, decomposition sets in, If dyspeptics wilt stop and consider for a moment some of the symptoms of their trouble, such as disagreeable bi th, eructations of gas bad teste in the mouth, they will understand that they or all must come from decaying foods that ought properly to have beer: absorbed into th tem, Spots before the eyes, dizziness, sleeplessness, yspeptic headaches are but a few of the effects following the absorption into the blood of poisons Geveloped from decomposing and undigested food that Mes In the ston It was a recoguit n of this Important fact that ceused the Mount Lebanon Shakers to devote so much of their time to the preparation of a remedy for dyspepsia, and nothing fs more effictent than Digestive Cordial which they have recently placed on the market. Its netion is so prompt that relief frequently fol- lows the very first dose, It restores the appetite and Ircreases the weigat. Plumpness and strength take the place of werkness and that eare-worn ex- pression which pokits out the dyspeptics in cvery community. The local druggists are now giving away interesting discriptive pamphlets. ‘Try a twenty-five-ccnt bottle of Digestive Cordial and see what it will do for you.