Evening star. [volume], December 03, 1900, Image 18

About Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972

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the Commlssionere were much limited In
the number of men and women from whom
selection could be made, but the Commis
sioners were fortunate in obtaining the
services of C. J. Bell, George H. Harries.
Dr. Richard Kingsnan, J. Holdsworth Gor
don. Mrs. Henry Litchfield West. Mrs. J.
It. Francis and James F. Bundy. As the
work devolving upon them required them
to forego in part their summer vacations
and to spend a great deal of time by day
and by night in beginning their task, the
Vommissioners feel that great credit is due
them and that they deserve the thanks of
all Interested in the welfare of the school
system. They worked so expeditiously and
so successfully that within a month they
had announced the new organization of the
school system. Following a conservative
policy they made no changes, either In
personnel or curriculum, except such as
had been shown to be necessary. They
gratified the citizens by promoting to the
new office of superintendent A. T. Stuart,
who had been for years supervising prin
cipal of the community. They promoted
to the new offices of assistant superin
tendent Mrs. Ida G. Myers, principal of
the Normal School, and W. S.. Montgom
ery, principal of the ninth division. With
very few exceptions no other changes were
made in the teaching of force but those
caused by these promotions. The board,
upon the recommendation of the superin
tendent. altered the curriculum so as to
make it more practical. and to reduce the
amount of home study required of the
pupils. It also made Improvements in the
business management of the school sys
tem. which has been most faithfully con
ducted by Its executive officer, H. H.
Twombly, secretary to the board of educa
tion.
During the past fiscal year the public
school system expanded In a normal ratio
to the increase of the population and in
proportion to the development of different
localities and by the increase of rapid tran
sit. In all, nearly 41.113 persons were
given instruction In the schools at either
day or night sessions, yet it is still true
that there Is not sufficient accommodation
for the schools, and that more buildings
are greatly needed to meet the growing
needs. The Commissioners, therefore.
heartily indorse the recommendations, of
the board of education in this regard In
their estimates. It Is also necessary that
additional land for playgrounds should bc
purchased for school buildings that have
no such facilities. The Improvement of
the sanitary conditions of the schools, car
ried on efficiently during the year. should
be continued as rapidly as possible in the
interest of public health. In this relation
the Commissioners commend the sugges
tion of the board of education that physi
clans of standing should be employed to
make frequent medica* inspections for the
information of the school authorities and
the parents of the children.
Civil Service.
The Commissioners believe thoroughly in
the merit system of appointments and pro
motions in the District service, which has
been established and maintained by the
action of the Commissioners, but ought to
have the formal protection of an act of
Ccngress. As the Attorney General of the
United States has held that the President
Is not authorized, under the civil service
act, to extend the civil service rules over
the District offices, the Commissioners are
constrained to ask once more that Con
gress will pass a civil service act for the
District of Columbia.
Menorial Bridge.
The Commissioners are heartily In sym
pathy with the proposition for the con
struction of a memorial bridge across the
Potomac river to Arlington cemetery. They
believe that such "a memorial to American
patriotism" ought to be erected at an early
date.
Parks and Playgrounds.
As the buildings of the city of Washing
ton spread over the District of Columb!a
and the city itself becomes more compact
the need, for additional parks and play
grounds becomes more apparent. In some
sections of the city there is no provision
of this kind. Children especially suffer
from having no playground except the
street. In the summer time it Is particu
larly hard upon those who cannot leave the
city for any length of time. Women with
infants are In many cases obliged to go
long distances to get to a park. The Com
missioners, therefore, view with sympathy
the different suggestlons that have been
made in recent years for increasing the
public grounds in the District of Columbia.
Operations of the Engineer Depart
ment.
The engineer department of the District
of Columbia was, during the fiscal year,
under the charge of Captain Lansing 1-1.
Beach, Corps of Engineers, U. S. A. He
had as assistants Captain William P. Craig
hill, Corps of Engineers, from July 1 to
about September 15: Captain D. D. Gail
lard. Corps of Eng:neers. from September
11. and Captain H. C. Newcomer, Corps or
Engineers, from January 15 to the close of
the fiscal year.
Captain Gaillard was placed in charge of
the water, sewer. plumbing and building
divisions, and Captain Newcomer was given
supervisoix over streets, county roads,
bridges, surveyor's office and parking com
mission.
Street and Alley Pavements.
Details of the work relating to street and
alley pavements and county roads will be
found in the report of the computing en
gineer, Mr. C. B. Hunt, for which see page
Sheet asphalt and asphalt block were tne
only materials used for street pavements
during the year. Vitrified block was used
mainly in alleys, a few of which, however,
were paved with asphalt block.
The prices paid for sheet asphalt were
31.78 and $1.8.) per square yard: asphalt
block. $1.77 per square yard. For the com
ing year prices will be 31.79%l for sheet as
phalt and $1.77 for asphalt block.
It is again recommended that the granite
block pavements throughout the city be re -
placed as rapidly as possible with sheet as
phalt or asphalt block. Business men gen
erally on streets paved with this class or*
material have petitioned repeatedly for a
smooth and less noisy pavement. The gran
ite block is undoubtedly a detriment to a
business street under the conditions pre
vailing in WashIngton, as such pavements
are more or less avoided by traffic and
trade diverted thereby. The Commissioners
earnestly urge that the improvements de
sired be carried out as rapidly as possible.
While granite block Is a most economical
pavement as far as maintenance Is con
cerned. its noise and roughness, compared
with the smooth pavements and light traf
fic which prevail generally in this city,
nmke It highly undesirable in Washington.
This condition of affairs has been recog
nized by the various government depart
ments and by Congress in several in
stances. The granite block pavement has
been removed from 7th street between E
and G1 streets, in front of the Post Office
and Interior Department buildings, the Sec
retaries of these departments having urged
the matter. The director of the census
now desires to have the granite block ad
ja cent to the census building removed also.
This cannot be done, however, unless Con
gress makes an appropriation for the pur
pose.
Ezcellent use can he made of the blocks
removed in paving the main thoroughfares
- leading into the city from the county. An
example of work of this charac'ter may be
seen on the Benning road, where a pave
ment consisting of a central strip of as
phalt ten feet wide, flanked on either side
with strips of granite block tilling the re
mainder of the roadway width, has been
c'ompleted during the year.- which has re
sulted in a vast improvement in the con
dition of the road. If all of the main thor
oughfares leading into the city could be
treated in like manner, the rost of repairs
would be greatly reduced and much more
work accomplished with the repair appro
priation, of which there is urgent need, as
owing to the small funds provided for their
care and maintenance, the county' roads of
the District are not In the condtion that
they should be. and on the main highways
gonnecting the city with the country mac
adam has not the qualities to enable it to
sustain the heavy travel.
Bridges.
Attention Is again invited to the need of
a better bridge in place of the present Navy
'Yard bridge over the Anacostia river, in
addition to being entirely too narrow for the
traffic passing over it, the bridge is struc
turally weak, and it is believed that the
only satisfactory action would be to replace
it with a modern structure of aip'pie width.
The Commissioners have frequently includ
ed this Item in their estimaates to Congress,
After considerable trouble and delay the
necessary right of way has been secured
for the Mlassachusetts Avenue bridge over
Rock creek. A contract has been let for the
work, which Is now being rapidly pushed.
The current District appropriation act
contains an item of $40,000 for the founda
tions for the Connecticut Avenue bridge
over Rock creek, work upon which wili
commence shortly.
Dtatet Quasey.
8...ang ea ..i. the namtriet qar... ma
Dickerson, Md.,. baa 1be0n euerated I. S
satisfactory manner. A contract has been
awarded to the Standard Lime and Steno
Company of Baltimore, Md., for opersting
the quarry for a period of five years. Three
powerful new crushing machines are now
being Installed, and the contractor will soon
be able to turn out large quantities of ma
terial.
The stone obtained from the quarry Is a
traprock of excellent quality. It is to be
used in the construction of macadam road
ways. for which purpose It is most admira
ble, as It binds well and on account of Its
hardness It grinds very slowly under traflic,
and therefore causes but little dust. Copy
of a test made by the department of road
Inquiry is here Inserted, which shows that
the stone from this particular quarry Is one
of the best maca4amising materials to be
found in this country.
TEST No. 1.-Abrasion test for wearing quality.
IDSS BY RUBBING AND KNOCKING SPECI
MENS TOGETHER IN AND-OUT OF WATER.
(Tests made by M. 0. Mdridge, November. 1@f,
for the Information of the Engineer Oumalainor
of the District of Columbia.)
IWeight. I
Locality or name of I beore After
stone. testing. testing.1 LoW.
IGrams. 11 Grams. Grams.
Goose creek (Va.) trap. 110.WO 100.700 U.
Hudson river trap. 10 100500 .
Goose creek (Va.) trap.110. t08 .9W
Potomac river blue
stone, Gilbert's.......20.550 I5 2000
Dickerson (Md.) trap ...5525 54.450 .700
Rockyhill (N.J.1 trap ...55.550 64AM rib
Goose creek tVa.) trap. 108.100 10T.300 Wo
Boundbrook (N.J.) trap 19050 1u&200 *8So
Goose creek (Va.) trap. U. 82.V15 1.400
Buck Lodge (Md.) trap. 103. 101550 1.300
Buck Lodge (Md.) trap. 175.150 17.150 2-000
Hudson river (N.Y.) trap _ 141.V350 .1I..8751 2.075
N.B.-ttmall samplea had to be used In thia hand
test. Larger samples can be used where the neces
aar apparatus Is available: consequently the re
nuits a re usually more accurate and satisfactory.
TEST No. 2.-Specific gravity teat.
specific
Location or name of stone, gravity.
Itoelfland take or Hudson river IN. T.) trap... 2.910
Boundbruok (N. J.) trap.................. 2.97
Potomac river graystone, ................. 2.80
rotomac river bluestone.................. 2.81
Dickerson (Md.) trap (Baltimore and Ohio). 2.915
Gose creek tVa.), near Be.mout. on Southern
railroad...............................83.02
Back Lodge (Md.) trap................... 3.lu
T1 No. 3.-Absorption teat.
Percentage of moisture absorbed after forty-two
hours' tunneralowin water.
Name.
Potomac river bluestone.. 122.50 122.950 0.2W0.1a
Ralpl1e (Md.) d8orite. 102.100 102.300 .200 .196
Goose creek qVa.) trap.D112.750 112.2 100 .0850
Lardbardsville IN.J.1 trap 90.2DO) 99.3001 .1001 .100
Potomac ri8er graystone.. 8.675 82.750 .075 .084
trap...............139.475 139.500 .025 .019
Bound Brook (N.J.) trap. 108.200 108.2001.....
Dickerson (Md.) trap. 106.050 166.750 2.07
-These tests demonstrated that the Dick
erson (Md.) btone possesses, first, remark
able resistance to physical force, hence
great wearing qualitye y second, great dens
ity or speciic gravity third, little or no
absorption, consequently great resistante
to frost, and for these reasons was se.ect d
by the District Commissioners for road
metal for the city of Washington and vicin
ity. A 'arge crushing plant has been ereet
ed at e ckeron. Md. and first-class trp
rock Is now being prepared and used [or
road buiding In the District.
Owing to the situation of the quarry up
the Bagtmore and Ohio railroad and the
manner .n which the road runs through the
District, a minimum wagon haul Is Involved
In delivering the stone at the necessary
points on tne county roads, so that greater
economy results from the use of this sto.rie
than from the ordinary local stone; the
gain Is, t,.erefore, not only In quality, biet
also In a greatly reduced price.
The difference in the wear was very dls
tinctly shown during the past year upon the
road along the line of Rock creek. A por
tion of the road was covered with broken
..meatone fnd a portion with trap rock
from the District quarry. Owing to the
failure Af the appropriation It was Impos
Able to cover the broken stone (which was
two Inches itn size) for a distance of about
talf a mile. As there were no points at
%bich Dtrc'es could turn off from the
road, bor.h ciasses of stone received exactly
te same aeount of wear. The limestone
was worno ite smooth and rounded. The
trap rock failed to show even the whee
marks. and the edges were as sharp after
several months' wear as when the atone
was first laid.
In making roads with this material stone
from one-half inch to two Inches In size Is
first placed on the road. generally to a
depth of about eight tnches: upon this layet
a finer material, half an inch and smaller
In diameter. Including dust. Is deposited. It
has been found that the grinding action of
vehicles passing over the road Is practically
so little'that no account can be taken of
this wear with the trap rock, and a larger
quantity of finer material has to be ud
than Is necessary with other local stoner
which wear down and make E binding ma
ter!al. Although a larger portion of the
finer stone is required, the result is most
excellent, and the stone binds hxceedngly
well without the addition of any binder.
Sidewalks.
During the year 5fM square yards of ce
ment sdewaots were laid. The price for
this work was 06 cents per square yard.
The cement walk costs but little more than
brick, and Its life and advantages are so
seveal amounths'bic waa as nowh laid,
onlas 30 f st uareyrdd.ngcntr e
duIng makhn yer.aswt hsmtra tn
Teth o bighiles:or uof relaisg taye
defeie matria, walf nhncit andtsmace
mndatr inluding hdufst s dpted apro
pratiben forn that puhoe grindln permt.o The
sueilsrsity oe the enoalk is practycalcy
sognitte'ytht pople,un anti bexcaenof
nwtoi weawithe traues frok an brc lke
fromanyprto of rmteihsrit. Te asd
vathas ofecesaynwth oher brica intoes,
whach war very grandta as duindthg ma
sumer ithi rqickd wlstheret is cert
telet anote olsvttoiondspringeinglyp
bween whu te adick.Tin of nyubiner.c
not ccu wihitewmetwal ,ads. h
ouing sectioar It,is5acqually caseo c
cntuament walk r at The corcto
price than was hau rct pero squae lowr
Thercementfwahe cotse loaliioes tan
bItk hant fend csavantoaexar
sion jointer that cemet alks,paratively
rsenle amowed of nubrfh walks ain
jureng the easoru. t et
for hpeghat epse willrk ooepagu-h
rdetim rcvelk o the y wara ituac
tment in beingtunhe as fora the abpo
ptions frte crposeg i thermity The
ogsngdt aloglte lsits excepteoali
nwr tourecited to Conresso a ick lastks
sion, and pbrions tof atheosriet. prped
canges ofweentoued Icn thisnt can
mte pans veryposet a durhn mthe pracica
sume thikak theshilyIpran iprce
mente mre ores authoation sprinnes at
otlynx session ti culyceprt
urithn to yearbikfo the suuraowretrl
portyo of the city wer teuil loadtre-equip
than laty thrproInterisry
Dthais ofeen foundnecessay thea ewean
dsion orntshow the tortks of exp.
Drie codnmb.ueredn of eweks.in
tionrno byepnfore the Comssersat. ha
of protper saeemisptosal. good grounde
wfor isp that sepse winl the soomacindu
ton theWatshion.Pnfo the abtarie on
titutes gad oiosne ndthe cotaof
meaceinton l the alth of the itylih
shorelad beaoisand atterlaies poibled
daeesbitt Congress at ts last sesapr
plans and spictonuthors teegeropsd
poangesystem. Wntrkucedon thesee andi
asstey tare bonshd t itberieve bea
preseln ooed Cre theompactda
tion for thei purpoeIad exct io nsl
hoedt atee higlymrtntipoe
metas may te autorzed thi departent
During the year teea subural strtrae
pnednd hae beno gaiving th better service
Dlsof the it.weork done btwo aseaser
thevrisiono aresshownib was report f Mr
aD put McCmb servierwitendeste Iener
rt elieved th osabe extt ite que
adequanessbefr the sCommyisnerhashat.
Wouon the sec th Aao thI e con
stituts anoinsomeusanc and a costanti
thatl be aollhed apltedd the es osble
dae.Cogressat its aste sesn ap
-# ..
A large p ping stains wil be l"
tablisbed near the Howard UO=*=Y
ervoir. Compettiv plani toe tinos
have been received and work ofn tb
building will be commed dng thM
present Goal year.
BUilding sa nain= Maptats.
Details of the work of this division ari
given In the report of Mr. John S. Brady
Inspector of buildings.
The value of ute building operations dur
Ing the year amounted to $1,250,000 mor
than they did during the preceding year
A noticeable fact in this connection is thi
comparatively large number of apartmen1
houses and the small number of dwellingi
which were erected.
Well-founded complaints have been r!e
ceived from prominent builders durting th4
year c.- the delay in getting plans actsi
upon and permits Issued by the ofie of th4
Inspector of buildings. This trouble is noi
due to any dereliction on the 'iAt of thm
employee of the building division. -On thi
cobtrary, these employee are probably thm
hardest worked of any in the District serv
Ice. They come to the office before thi
opening hour and work dail- until Idnj
past the regular closing time, and they gel
only a small portion of the thirty dayt
leave allowed by iaw. Several of then
during the year have broken down fron
overwork, which has made the burden thal
much heavier for those remaining on' duty
The force of the oMce is utterly inadequato
to handle the volume of business devolving
upon It. The building operations hav(
grown to such an extent and have spread
over so much terr.ory that It is physicall)
Impossible for the present force to -eef
buildings and elevators under proper in
spection, and the Commissioners feel It tc
be their duty to let this fact be known in
order that the office may not be held re
sponsible for conditions which, unoer pres
ent circumstances, It is powerless to pre
vent. An adequate increase of the forct
of this office is submitted in the annual es
timates and it is earnestly recommended
that It be granted.
School Buildinga.
It was found inpossible during the lasi
fiscal year to construct the school build
Ings, with a single exception, for which ap
propriations were made. This failure to
erect the buildings was due to the great
rise In the price of building materials,
which caused the cost of the buildings to
exceed the appropriations made. However,
Congress at its last session made the neces
sary Increase in the amounts, and all of
the buildings are now in process of con
structiQn and it Is hoped to have them
available for occupancy by the beginning of
the next school year.
The system of having the plans prepared
by various architects has been followed
with advantage, and it Is believed that it
ought to be kept up, as It has been found
that plans prepared by the same .architect
are marked by more or less similarity. and
by engaging different persons for the differ
ent buildings a pleasing diversity is se
cured.
Congress, at its last session, at the re
quest of the Commissioners, made a pro
viso that hereafter in purghasing school
sites sufficient ground should be obtained to
permit an eight-room building to be en
larged to a twelve-room one, and in the
purchase of school lots during the year this
object was kept In view.
Competitive designs will be shortly re
ceived from all architects who desire to en
ter the competition for a typical eight-room
building which can be erected in such man
ner as will admit of economical, ready and
practical enlargement to a twelve-room
building. It is also proposed to construct
the four-room buildings for which appro
priations have been made so that they can
be readily enlarged should the needs of the
locality require.
Formerly it was the custom to construct
a four or eight-room building complete in
itself and of such design that additions
could not be made without practically de
stroying the use of some of the rooms. In
some sections of the city this has made
necessary the existence of a number of
school buildings in very close proximity,
and while the school authorities are be
lieved to be right in not favoring large
school buildings, In order to avoid the col
lection of too many children in one place,
it is believed that the eight-room building
is inadequate for some of the densely pop
ulated loca!ities, and that a twelve-room
building will meet the demands much bet
ter. It has tAen preferred in this city to
make the school buildings but two stories
high, as parents and school authorities are
r-ot in favar of requiring children to climb
more than one flight of stairs.
It Is believed that due attention should be
given to the securing of proper play
grounds for the children. both at school and
also In the various neighborhoods during
hours when they are not at school. The
streets of Washington are wide and pro
vided with good pavements, and form at
tractive playgrounds for the children,
grEatly to the Inconvenience of vehicle
traffic and to the danger of the little ones.
Grounds in some of the outlying sections
can be purchased now at a reasonable cost
and can be set aside for public playgrounds
hereafter. There also exist in the city a
large number of vacant lots which could
be now secured at reasonable figures for the
purpose. It is believed that the money out
lay involved in this direction would be
mcre than saved to the public by the reduc
tion in costs in other lines of charity, doc
tors' bills. etc., and the sooner the action
Is taken the sooner the improvement in the
general health, as well as the removal from
danger of the children of the community
will be effected.
Parking Commssioin.
On September 11, 1900, the parking comi
m!ssion lost by death one of Its oldest and
most valued members, Mr. William Saun
ders. Mr. Saunders had served upon the
commission continuouslp since its organiza
tion in 18'71, without any compensation
whatever, and the city Is largely Indebted
to him for the present system of shade trees
which add so much to the beauty and at
tractiveness of Washington. The vacancy
caused by his death has been filled by the
appointment of Mr. Trueman Lanham, for
many years superintendent of parking. Mr
Lanham has had long experience in" this
line of work, and is well fitted for the
duties of the position.
The question of the use and arrangement
of parkings along public streets Is one
which Is becoming a matter of great import.
ance, which importance Is likely to Increase
rather than diminish. The streets of Wash
Iigton consist of three parts-the driveway,
ordinarily In the center of the street; the
sidewalks, ger:erally on each side of the
driveway, an-i the parking, between the
sidewalk and houses. The parking thuw
forms the front yards of the houses or
nearly all residence streets in the District,
and the property owners thus get from the
municipality what In all other cities they
have to pay large prices for. Projectioni
have been allowed In the past of steps,
bay windows, and porches, but the people
are begInnIng to construcet houses so as to
practIcally narrow the parking by the ex
tent of the building projections allowed.
This being five feet for bay windows, the
practical effect is to reduce a ninety-foct
street to an actual width of eighty feet,
and a secondary effect is to ruin the archi
tecture of the capital city. It seems to be
a part of human nature tomtake all that car
be obtained for nothing: and, as no charge
is made for these encroachments upon the
public streets, very few seem to be wiilling
to) build a house without securing a bay
window, thus producing a uniformity in the
appearance of residences which Is rapil
becoming such an invariable feature as t'
mar, as beforesaid, the architectural ap
pearance of the city, It is recommendied
that the schedule of projections In front ofi
buildings be modified so that the present
narrowing of the streets, which is going on
all over the District, will be restricted to a
reasonable degree. The extent to which
this is carried In individual cases may be
realized when it Is stated that in a receni
application for permit to build upon a cora
nor lot the proposed house wvas so designed
that 27 per cent of it was to stand on the
public street, and numbers of very similai
cases could be cited if necessary.
The appearance of the national capital
would also be greatly improved If the prop
erty owners wouid take a little more care
of the grass in front of their premises.
Where street pavements are'furnilield With.
out any charge whatever against the abut
ting property, and the property has to a
only half the cost of sidewalks and curb
and the trees are set out and cared for by
t.he municipalty, it would edeaifaa:. I1
were but a small service to ask .of 'the
property owner to keep the parking In ai
attractive condition.
An attempt was made by on. of the en
gineer commissiners a few years ago tc
construct walkS, leaving a space for a graee
plat between the Walk and the eurb, an ar
rangement that is adopted in mnany of eu
cities with success and with great -adp'as
tage to the apearne of the st~t; but
as the p-styowner in WeUgo *ul
not ks,hsspacen oin the plans|
Wan bigU are spots itis hgago
bswnthe streets wee .~U
was sothat
been laid to lb .re
d'by 7 feet *90Sn4 e,
enen t to'US hfqI Iaaadamaam
low thei "a2at
I tre seen 0y detai
I and die ling before wh Wl their
alAotted Period- f. i 111en Creat
epene i reulaet t and.de4v th"
property At the advantage of w&
trees Jd at that peld of-tree b Whea
It should be worth the jmont. I rty
owners would tke carm to keep gras
between the curb and sidewalk in good con
dittr- it Is known that the efbet on the
enhanced beauty of the city would be very
great and also a similar effect could be
produced on the life and character of the
trees, That grass mn be well grwn under
these conditions is amply proved by the
fact that these continuous -tree or
grass plats have been left where e prop
erty owne2 have Informed the odice that
care would be taken of the ,a.,and
there I no case on record w such
promise has been given.;of the gram not
being of such quality and character as to
add to the beauty of the city.
Statements are made that grass cannot
be retained under these circtimstanCes, but
observation shows that in many cases the
manner -of sUr,nk}ing the grass s respon
sible for this Ad pdition, for by turning
the hose on with t=o much power the water
practically 1fsheb 3the grass out of the
soil, or washes the fine soif away, leaving
nothing but baydenieo material. If citizens
would take sope gains to keep the grass in
good condition it it believed that the ef
feet upon the beauty of Washington would
be surprising,, even to Its oldest inhab
itants.
- Ihy Etensbl.P"T ..
The work o this, department is shown
In detail by the report of Mr. W. P. Rich
ards, assistagt engipeer In charge.
During the year the last section of the
highway plans was completed and placed
on record. These plans now cover the en
tire District of Columbia and are of ines
timable valu'e as a guide in laying out
streets and 'subdividing land. Now, an
Owner in -any part of the District, however
remote from the city, can, if he so desires,
lay out his streets and subdivide his prop
erty with the knowledge that ultimately,
when 'th6elty reaches him', if subdivision
will be In accord with the city plan and i
connect smoothly with streets -extended
from .the city. This has been a work of
considerable magnitude, and the Commis
sloners are largely indebted to Mr. W. P.
Richards, who has been assistant engineer
in charge since the inception of tha work,
for the manner In which the many difficult
problems In konnection therewith have
been met and overcome.
"In- conclusion, it is deemed' only fitting
to acknowledge the good work of the as
sistants and of the clerical-force of the va
rious departments of the off1ce, who have
not spared themselves in carrying out their
dqUties to the best of their ability. Very re- I
spectfully. -
HENRY B. F. MACFARLAND,
JOHN W. ROSS,'
LANSING H. BEACH,
Commissioners of the District of Columbia.
RETENTION OF THE PMILIPPINES.
Question Debated by Students of the
Columbian University.
Whether or not our best Interests demand
the permanent retention of the Philippine
Islands as integral territory of the United
States was the question which inspired spir
ited debates in University Hall of the Co
lumbian University Saturday night. The
partigipants were members of the Debating
Society of the schools of law and diplomacy
and the judges were Representatives Champ
Clark of Missouri and James C. Needham
of California, and Prof. Channing Rudd of
Georgia.
Introductory remarks were made by Rob
ert M. Calfee, the society president, and
Harvey M. Seldon of Illinois opened the ie
bate by arguing in favor of retention, de
clarIng that it would be only a short time
before the natives of the Philippines would
be assimilated. The possession of the
islands were also necessary, he declared,
because it would give the nation an oppor
tunity to hold its own In the movements of
other powers.
John F. Bethune of Virginia, in present
ing negative views on the question, pointed
out that the Philippines were 7.000 miles
distant, with a mixed population, which
was composed of peoples wholly undesirable
to be brought Into United States citizenship.
The -war, he said, had already cost $200,
000,000, and no one could estimate what it
would ultimately ,cost, although 65,000
tRoops were fighting to put down the rebel- I
lion and establish peace.
Robert Tipton of West Virginia called
attention tO the commercial advantages
of the islands, and spoke of their strate
gical importan e. The Philippines, he said,
bring us into - direct communication with
China, Japan: 4ndithe other oriental coun- i
tries. He also idwalt on some of the points
brought out by the first speaker, and an
sewered the arguments advanced by Mr.
Bethune.
Albert R. Stbart of South Carolina, the 1
second speaker for the negative, quoted ar- g
guments advaqce4, by Senator Hoar, and
said that trade eqmes to those who make
the cheapest and best goods. In support
of this he quoted figures showing the large
trade in our favor last year. The . inhab- a
itants of the islands, he said, can never I
be fitted for citizens, and their annexation
as "territories." he said, is only a subter
fuge. We have already 10.000,000 discon
tented citizens in our country, he said, re
ferring to the negroes, and asked is it<
right - that we should bring in 10,000,000
more.
J. Whitford Riddle of Pennsylvania
closed for the affirmative, and made an elo-1
quent address. It was necessary, he said,
that the United States, provide markets for
goods made in this country, and referred to
the prediction of William H. Seward, made
flfty years ago, which .was being realized
at the end of the twentieth century, that
the American r,ation should occupy a com
manding position in the Pacific. We dire
bound by the Paris treaty, he said, to pro
tect the interests of othet nations in the
islands, and we cannot shirk responsibility 1
in the matter. Should we abandon thec
islands, he said, we. wo4ld deliver the in
habitants over to domestIc'anarch'y.
In the abser ce of John G. Iludiey, who
was to have spoken on the negative side,
Mr. Bethune closed -the debate.
The judges. A.fter consultation, decided.
by. a vote of two to one, that the negative
side had won. They awarded, however,.
the first prize to Mr. Riddle, who upheld
the affirmative view, giving Mr. Bethune
the-'secotid. In announein, -this decisIon
Representative Clark commended the young
men for the ability with lihich they pre
sented their arguments.
AN1*IVERSARY CELEDRATION. 4
Sunday School UJnion' of Methodist
EpiscoDal Chureh.
The anniversary of the Sunday School
Union- of -the Methodist Episoopat Church
will be celebrated this year in the city of
Washington. beginning next Thursday
night, the -6th instant, in -the. Foundry
Methodist Episcopal Church. In the same
church meetings will be held Friday morne
lng, afternoon and, night, and perhaps Sat
urday. Sunday the pulpits will be occupied
by some of the distinguished participants,
and in the afternoon of Suwday, at 3
o'clock, a rally for all the Sunday -hools
In - the city will be held in the Waugh
Medist - Episcopal. Chur'ch. Thursday
night an address of welcome will be deliv
ered by the Rev. L. B. Wilson, D. D. Rev.
Thomas B.. Neely, D. D., LL.D., the eorre
spondlig secretary and editor. of the Sun- I
day School Union. will speak, as will
others.
A,mong the expert Sunday school workers
from a distance iwho are expected to speak
PrIday are the Rev. Charles Roads, D. D.,.
secretary of thea Pennsylvania Sunday I
School Association, Miss Josephine Bald
win, state primary superintendent for New
Jrsey; R. R. Doherty, Ph. D)., of Jersey
ity, and Mr. James R. Joy of Ploieadt
N-J. Friday night addresses are expected
from the Rev. .7. 0. Wilson, D. D.,'of New
York city and tb6 Rev. B. C. Warren of.
the same place.'
In the day mneetinlgs, -Particulaarly, pd
tunity will 1*e, given for the discussion ef- a
points' -beanag IPpon practical Sunday
school work. ph~isettags are opnt h
Natsemal -WS-inbe Seesety L.....,
The r uMs Ste esunbar seas of
the WMieta==feMdnhic 'eoistr', he ha
in the, Frt'CMagnatonal Cburebm esene
et 10th saW Dh&0ta,alteenmt. pEddaf
I sise gi V&Vies bee GE
AVAL MESSAG
wus"ades ma"e to etan a wege, weh
at once began.
Fren June atm ut fty 1Tth6 writes
MeItW Conger, "tese Was scarcely an
hour during whch there was not fring
Wo so;ime part of our lins and into some
f the legatiens, varying from a single shot
to a general and continuous attack along
t*e whole line." Artillery was placed
around the legations and on the overlook
lag. palace wails, and tbosam-ds of 3-inch
hot and shell were fred, destroying some
buildings and damaging all. So thickly did
the balls rain that, when the ammunition
Df the besieged ran low, Ae quarts of Chi
me lullets wer gathered -in an hour in
me compound and recast.
Attempts were made to burn the lega
tions by setting neighboring houses on fire.
but the fl-an e were successfully fought off,
although the Austrian, Belgian. Italian and
Dutch legations were then and subsequently
burned. With the aid of 4he native con
rerts, directed by the missionaries, to
whose helpful co-operation Mr. Conger
Lwards unstinted praise, the British lega
ion was made a veritable fortress. The
Britisl minister, Sir Claude MacDonald,
was chosen general commander of the de
'ense, with the secretary of the American
egation, Mr. E. G. Squiers, as chief of
staff.
To save life and ammunition the be
seged sparingly returned the incessant fire
f the Chinese soldiery, fighting only to
-epel attack or make an occasional success
ul sortie for strategic advantage, such
as that of fifty-five America,n, British, and
Russian marines led by Captain Myers, of
he United States Marine Corps, which ie
suited In the capture of a formidable bar
-cade on the wall that gravely menaced
:he American position. It was held to the
ast, and proved an invaluable acquisiticn,
)ecause -commanding the water gate
:hrough which the relief column entered.
During the siege the defenders lost 65
:illed, 135 wounded, and 7 by disease-the
ast all children.
On July 14th the besieged had their first
,ommunication with the Taung-li Yamen,
rom whom a message came inviting to a
-onference, which was declined. Corre
pondence, however, ensued and a sort of
Lrmistice was agreed upon, which stopped
he bombardment and lessened the rifle
Ire for a time. Xven then no protecti-n
whatever was afforded, nor any aid given.
save to send to. the legations a small sup
fly of fruit and three sacks of flour.
Indeed, the only communication had with
he Chinese Government related to the oc
-aslonal'delivery or dispatch of a telegram
>r to the demands of the Taung-li Yamen
or the withdrawal of the legations to the
-oast under escort. Not only are the pro
estations of the Chinese Government that
t protected and succored the legations pos
tively contradicted, but irresistible proof
tccumulates that the attacks upon them
were made by Imperial troops, regularly
iniformed, armed, and ofilcered, belonging
:o the command of Jung Lu. the Imperial
-ommander in chief. Decrees encouraging
he Boxers, organizing them under promi
lent Imperial officers, provisioning them,
Lnd even granting them large sums In the
lame of the Empress Dowager, are known
o exist. Members of the Tsung-li Yamen
who counseled protectibn of the foreigners
were beheaded. Even in the distant prov
nces men suspected of foreign sympathy
were put to death, prominent among these
)eing Chang Yen-hoon, formerly Chinese
ninister In Washington.
With the negotiation of the partial armis
ice of July 14th, a proceeding which was
loubtless promoted by the representations
of the Chinese envoy In Washington. the
way was opened for the conveyance to Mr.
onger of a test message sent by the Sec
-etary of State through the kind offices of
dinister Wu Ting-fang. Mr. Conger's re
Ply, dispatched from Peking on July 18th
brough the same channel, afforded to the
outside world the first tidings that the in
nates of the legations were still alive and
loping for succor.
This news stimulated the preparations for
L joint relief expedition in numbers suf
'ient to overcome the resistance which for
month had been organizing between Taku
nd the capital. Reinforcements sent by all
he co-operating governments were con
itantly arriving. The United States contin
ent, hastily assembled from the Philip
ines or dispatched from this country,
tounted to some 5.000 men, under the
Lble command first of the lamented Colonel
4Iscum and afterwards of General Chaffee.
Toward the end of July the movement be
ran. A severe conflict followed at Tientsin,
n which Colonel Liscum was killed. The
ity was- stormed and partly destroyed. Its
~apture afforded the base of operations
rom which to make the final advance,
which began in the first days of August,
he expedition being made up of Japanese.
tussian, British and American troops at
he outset.
Another battie was fought and won at
rangtmmn. Thereafter the disheartened Chi
ese troops offered little show of resistance.
L few days later the important position of
Io-si-woo was taken. A rapid march
rought the gsnited forces to the populous
ity of Tung Chow, which capitulated with
ut a contest.
ENTRANCE INTO PEKIN.
Onl August 14th the capital was reached.
Lf ter a brief conflict beneath the walls the
elief column centered and the legations
were saved. The United States soldiers,
alors, and marines, officers and men alike,
n those distant climes and unusual suir
oundings, showed the same valor. discip
ie, and good conduct and gave proof of
he same high degree of intelligence and ef
Ileency which has distinguished them in
very emergency.
The Imperial family and'the Government
ad fled a few days before. The city' was
without visipid controL. The remainine- Im
erial soldiery had made on the night of
he 13th a last attempt to exterminate the
sesieged, which was gallantly repelled. It
eli to the occupying forces to restore car
ir and organize a provisional administra
ion.
Happily*the acute disturbances wa-e con
med to the northern provinces. It Is a
celef to recall and a pleasure to record the
oyal conduct of the viceroys .and local
thorities of the southern and eastern
rovinces. .Their efforts were continuously
Lieted to the pacific control of the~ vast
opulations under their rule and to the
crupulous observance of foreign treaty
ights. At critical moments they did net
esitate to memorialize the Throne,. urging
he protection of the legations, the resto
ticn of communication, and the asstirtlon
if the Imperial authority against the s'.ib
rersive elements. They maintained excel
ant relations with the of4cial reapresenta
ivs of foreign powems. To their kindly
lisposition 4. largely due the success of the
sinsuils' ih resmoving many of the mission
res. from ,the interior to places of safety.
a. this- relation the -sption of. the consuls -
thould be highly cemmended. .in Shen
usg-and eastern Chi-li the task was diE-s
suit, but, thanks to their energn and the
:o-operation of American ad foreign naval
~amneas, hu=dreds *4 feseigners, in
miding theme -of -ether 'iationnaiesm then
sara, wer. rescued troe tm=e=mnt peril.
Sie ,poliey of the. UuttWS Sates through
LU his rying peristmas clebrty-----a
tie elmimwel carried ut. A. emdar
ita to the psewei aysdentra g
da Oar dfmtsed aim lavolved me war
ae t the Chime uuat. We adheres to
tbe legitimate So e roesculng the imper
11ed legation, obtaiamr redress for wrang.
aleay suffered, securing wherever possi
ble the safet at Aarkan lift and prop
erty in Chim and preventing a spread of
the dicorders or their recurrence.
As was then said, "The policy of the Gov
erminent of the United States In to seek a
solution which may bring about permanent
safety and peace to China, preserve Chi
nese territorial and administrative entity.
pr"ect all rights guaranteed to friendly
powers by.- treaty and international law,
and safeguard for the world the principle
of equal and imps"tial trade with all parts
of the Chinese Empire."
Faithful to those professions which, as
it proved, re2ected the views and pur
poses of the other cooperating govern
ments, all our efforts have been directed
toward ending the anomalous situation in
China by negotiations for a settlement at
the earliest possible moment. As soon as
the sacred duty of relieving our legation
and Its dependents was accomplished we
withdrew from active hostilities, leaving
our legation under an adequate guard in
Peking as a channel of negotiation and
settlement-a course adopted by others of
the ipterested powers. Overtures of the
empowered representatives of the Chinese
Emperor have been considerably enter
tained.
The Russian proposition looking to the
rEstoration of the Imperial power in
Peking has been accepted as in full conso
nance with our own desires, for we have
held and hold that effective reparation for
wrongs suffered and an enduring settle
ment that will make their recurrence im
possible can best be brought about under
an authority which the Chinese nation
reverences and obeys. While so doing we
forego no jot of our undoubted right to
exact exemplary and deterrent punishment
of the responsible authors and abettors of
the criminal acts whereby we and other
nations have suffered grievous injury.
NEGOTIATIONS FOR PEACE.
For the real culprits, the evil counselors
who '-ve misled the Imperial judgment
and diverted the sovereign authority to
their own guilty ends, full expiation be
comes imperative within the rational lim--s
of retributive justice. Regarding this as
the initial condition of an acceptable set
tlement between China and the powers, I
said in my message of October 18 to the
Chinese Emperor:
I trust that negotiations may begin so
soon as we and the other offended govern
ments shall be effectively satisfied of four
Majesty's ability .and power to treat with
just sternness the prineWal offenders, who
are doubly culpable, "ot alone toward the
foreigners, but tow;rd Your Majesty, un
der whose rule the purpose of China to
dwell in concord with the world .ad hith
erto found expression in the welcome and
protection assured to strangers.
Taking, as a point of departure, the Im
perial edict appointing Earl Li Hung Chang
and Prince Ching plenipotentiaries to ar
range a settlement, and the edict of Sep
tember 25th, whereby certain high officials
were designated for punishment, this Gov
ernment has moved, in concert with the
other powers, toward the opening of nego
tiations, which Mr. Conger, assisted by Mr.
Rockhill, has been authorized to conduct on
behalf of the United States.
General bases of negotiation formulated
by the Government of the French Republic
have been accepted with certain reserva
tions as to details, made necessary by our
own circumstances, but, like simil."r reser
vations by other powers, open to discitssion
in the progress of the negotiitons. The
disposition of the Emperor's Gavernment to
admit liability for wrongs done to foreign
governments and their nationals, and to -et
upon such additional designation of the
guilty persons as the foreign ministers at
Peking may be in a position to make, gives
hope of a complete settlement of all ques
tions involved, assuring foreign rights of
residence and Intercourse on terms of
equality for all the world.
I regard as one of the essential fictors of
a durable adjustment the securnrent of
adequate guarantees for liberty of faith,
since insecurity ot those natives who may
embrace alie-n creeds is a scarcely leds ef
fectual assault upon the rights of foreign
worship and teaching than would be the
direct invasion thereof.
The matter of indemnity for our wronged
citizens is a question of grave concern.
Measured in money alone, a sufficient rep
aration may prove to be beyond the ability
of China to meet. All the powers concur in
emphatic disclaimers of any purpose of ag
grandizement through the dismemberment
of the Empire. I am disposed to think tha'.
due compensation may be made In part by
increased guarantees of security for fo,r
eign~ rights and immunities, and, most im
portant of all, by the openmng of China to
the equal commerce of all the world. These
views have been and will be earnestly ad
vocated by our representatives.
The Government of Russia has put for
ward, a suggestion, that. in the event of pro
tracted divergence of views in regard to in
dlemnities thee matter may be relegated to
the Court of Arbitration at The Hagua. I
favorably inline to this, believing that high
tribunal could not fail to reach a solution
no less conducive to the stability and en
arged prosperity of China itself than im
mediately beneficial to the powers,
WiITH OTHER POWERS.
Ratifications of a treaty of extradition
with the Argentine Republic were ex
changed on June 2d last.
While the Austro-Hungarian Government
has in the many cases that have been re
ported of the arrest of our naturalized citI
sens for alleged evasion of military service
faithfully observed the provisions of the
treaty and released such persons from mili
tary obligations, it has in some instances
exzcelled those whose presence in the com
munity of their origin was asserted to have
a pernicious influence. Representations
have been made against this course when
ever Its adoption has appeared unduly oner
ous.
We have been urgently solicited by Bel
gium'-to ratify the International Conven
tion of June, 1890, amendatory of the pre
vious Convention of 1890 in respect to the
regulation' of the liquor trade in Africa.
Compliance was necessarily withheld, in the
absence of the advice and consgnt of the
Senate thereto. The principle involved has
the cordial rymnathy of this GovernmLnt,
which in the revisionary negotiations advo
cated more drastic measures, and I would
gladly see its extension, by international
agreement, to the restriction of the liquor
trafice with all uncivilized peop:es, especially
in the Western Pacific.
A conference will be held at Brussels De
camber 11th, 1900, under the Convention for
the proteetion of industrial property, con
cluded at Paris March 20th, 1883, to which
delegates from this country have been ap
pointed. Any lessening of the aifictites
that oar Inventors encounter in obtaining
patents abroad for their inventions and
that our fani's, inanufacturers and mer
cha=ts amay have in the protection of. ei
trade-inmeks I. worthy of careful consiea
tien, ad yeur- attention will be- called to
the- telts -of the conference 'at the proper
-In the inteeest-atf enamnn trade be
t'een itda esontrP and South Amaerica,-et
fo0ts ha*e been mad during the past year
to ceaa3ne onventions with the southern
spnUe der tied emagement et i'oagei
ftr 1W o imly aastmeot, a protoc1
signed In Decemer, INS1, having agreed on
a debtte frontier and provided tor its .e
mAWCation by a Joint commission.
Conditions in Brazil have weighed heavily
on our export trade to that country in
marked contrast to the favorable condi
tions upon which Brazilian products are
admitted into our markets. Urgent :epre
sentations have been made to that Covern
ment on the subject and some amelioratios
has been effected. We rely uion the recip
rocal justice and good will of that Govern
ment to assure to us a further improve*
ment In our commercial relations.
The Convention signed May 24. S07,. for
the final settlement of claims left in abey
ance upon the dissolution of the Conmise
Won of 18. was at length ratified by the
Chilean Congress and the supplemental
Commission has been organised.
It remains for the Congress to appropriate
fox the necessary expenses of the Commis
sion.
The Insurrectionary movement which dis.
turbed Colombia in the latter part of Itai
has been practically suppressed, although
guerrillas still operate in some departments.
The executive power of that republic
changed hands in August last by the act
of Vice President Marroquin in assuming
the reins of government during the absence s
of President San Clemente from the rapi
tal. The change met with no serious oppo
sition, and, following the precedents in
such cases, the United States min1st:r en
tered into relations with the new de facto
government on September 17.
It is gratifying to announce that the re
sidual questions between Costa Rica and
Nicaragua growing out of the Awar. of '
President Clevelan-i in 188S iav,_ beeni ad-#
justed through the choice of an Americin
er.gineer, General E. P. Alexander. as um
pire to run the disputed line. llis :aA lbas
been accomplished to the .atisfae.io-i of
both contestants.
A revolution In the Dominican ie,iblic
toward the close of last year reulte-I in the
Installation of President Jimen.z, wtose
Government was formally re--)gaized in
January. Since then final payment has been
made of the American claim in regard to
the Ozama bridge.
THE PARIS EXPOSITION.
The year of the Exposition is been
fruitful In occasions for displaying the good
will that exists between this country and
France. This great competition brou9ht
tcgether from every nation the be.it an r at
ural productions, Industry, science and the
arts, submitted in generous ;ivalry to a
judgment made all the mon.' searcin be
cause of that rivalry. rhe extraorinary
ircrease of exportattons rr,)n this coaitry
during the past three years anJ the aciivity
with which our inventions an I wares had
invaded new markets caused much interest
to center upon the American Lchioit. and
e,ery encouragement was offered in the
way of space and facilities to permIt' of its
being comprehensive as a whole and cm
plete in every part.
It was, however, not an easy task to as
semble exhibits that could fily illustrate
our diversified resources and maa 1i:' es.
Singularly enough, our raati mtal prossprity
lessened the incentive to exhi!It. Tote enal
er In raw materials knew that tihe user 4
must come to him; the great factcr'es
were contented with the phanomitnal de
mand for their output, not &Vin-1 :t -am ,
but also abroad, where inerit had already
won a profitable trade.
Appeals had to be made to the patriotism
of exhibitors to induce them to incur out
lays promising no immediate return. This
was especially the case where It became V
needful to complete an industrial sequence
or illustrate a class of pn esses. One
manufacturer after another h% to be vis
ited and importuned, and at times, after a
promise to exhibit in a particular section'
had been obtained, It would be withdrawn.
owing to pressure of trade orders, and a
new quest would have to be made.
The installation of exhibits, too, encoun
tered many obstacles and involved unex
pected cost. The Exposition was far from
ready at the date fixed for its opening.
The French transportation lines were con
gested with offered freight. Belated goods
had to be hastily installed in unfinished
quarters with whatever labor could be ob
tained In the prevailing confusion. Nor
was the task of the Commission lightened .
by the fact that, owing to the scheme of
cassification adopted, it was impossible to
have the entire exhibit of any one country
in the same building or more than one
group of exhibits In the same.part of any
building. Our installations were scattered
on both sides of the Seine and In widely
remote suburbs of Paris, so that additional
assistants were needed for the work of -
spervision and arrangement.
Despite all these drawbacks the contribu
tion of the United Stateeb was not only the
argest foreign display, but- was among the
earliest in place and the most orderly In
arrangement. Our exhibits were shown in
one hundred and one -out. of .one .hundred
and twenty-one classes, and more complete
y covered the entire classification than
hose of any other nation. In total num
er they ranked next after those of France,
and the attractive form in which they were
resented secured general attention.
A criterion of the extent and success of
or participation and of the thoroughness
with which our exhibits were organised is
seen In the awards granted to American
xhibitors by the International jury, name
ly, grand prizes. 240; gold medals, 507; all
er medals, 776; bronze medals, 541. and
onorable mentions, 322-2,476 In all, being
he greatest total number given to the ex
hbit of any exhibiting nation, as well as
he largest number In each grade. This sig
icant recognition of merit in competition
with the chosen exhibits of all other na
ions and at the hands of juries almost
wholly made up of representatives of
rance and other competing countries is not
oly most gratifying, but Is especially
aluable, since It sets us to the front in
nternational questions of supply and de-.
nand, while the large proportion of awpards
in the classes of art and artistic manufac
ures afforded unexpected proof of the
stimulation of national culture by the pros
prity that flows from natural productive
ess joined to Industrial excellence.
Apart from the Exposition several occa
sions for showing international good will
ccurred. The inauguration in Paris of the
afayette Monument. presented by the
school children of the United States, and
the designing of a commemorative coin by
our Mint and the presentation of the first
piece struck to the President of the Repub
ic were marked by appropriate ceremo
ies, and the Fourth of July was especially
bserved in the French capital.
Good will- prevails in our relations with
the German Empire. An amicable adjust
et of the long-pending question of the
dmission of our life insurance companies
o do business in Prussia has been reached.
ne of the principal companie has already
been readmitted and the way sopened for
the others to share the privilege..
The settlement of the Samoan problem, to
which I adverted In my last Messare,. has
momplished goni results. .Peace and con
entment prevail in the islands, especaliy
in ernteiln where-a convenient amnit.- '
ton that has won the confidence and es- 1
teem of the kindly disposed natives has
been orgae...e under the direction of the
cnmemane .1 the United States naval sta-.
ion at Pago-PagO.
An imipamal mneat inspection lawr bas ba
anei f!sr Gerspany. While it amar abmdpt.
fe apOU5s-it pr-Sant certain prod
e herstetepe ntew-s 5:hese Is sai
-ea enetaktg as to whether or well
.db ikasis&aLh qwraa tradm I. eat
wugb4us et )t