Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-11-30
81l4.852 Sc $36,524 IS

|
The amount expended for the consumption OF
gas in the several Executive and other buildings
occupied by the officers of the government is not
included In the statement, and, as it is doubtless
comparatively inconsiderable, presume it is not
material to the object the committee has IN view.
In answer to your fourth interrogatory, would
state that the government has had three contracts
with the Gas Company
The first was dated 9th March, 1851, and the
price TO be paid per 1000 feet Of gas was six dol
lars
The second was dated l4th June, 1851. It con-
viewed the pipes to the company, and in considers
ton thereof the government was to pay for gas but
IS 90 per 900 feet. Both of these contracts are
to be found in Mis- Doc of the first session Of the
Thirty-second Congress-.
The third was dated 10th March, 1852, and the
price was continued at 80 so per 1000 feet Of gas
This contract nay be found in Mis- Doc. %, OF the
I'd sess of the 32d Congress. 1t expired on the
9th of March, 1853, and, SO far as have been able
to learn, has never been renewed. The govern
mcnt, however, continues to pay for gas $S 90 per
1000 feet.
The expenditure Of the appropriation for gas
lights is under the exclusive control OF the Com.
missioner of Public Buildings, and understand
that the practice until recently was to extinguish
the lights at midnight; but they are now kept
burning as long as they can be, without exceeding
the appropriation.
In reply to your fifth and last interrogatory, !
can only give you the quantity Of gas consumed
during the fiscal year ending S0th June last which
was 4,659, 21s feet
i hope it viii not be deemed obtrusive in me to
avail myself of the present occasion to call the at
tention of the Committee on Police to the insult
cheney of the existing laws of the Corporation to
protect the streets and avenues from the injury
they almost invariably sustain whenever they arc
opened to lay gas pipes. II has been subject OF
long and continued complaint among our fellow
citizens and results from the fhct that the opening
and filling up Of the trenches for the pipes Is left
entirely to the company. understand that In
most Of the large cities Of country, and IN all
the important cities of Europe, no excavation Is
allowed to be made in streets, unless under the
supervision and direction of an officer, whose bu-
sness it is to attend TO all such matters. The con-
sequence Is, the streets receive no damage. 1
would therefore, respectfully suggest that an ordi-
nance be passed 10 prohibit all street excavations
for pipes, sewers, and the like, unless they are
made by the ward commissioners, who shall, under
the advice of the City Surveyor, determine their
depth and grade, and charge the cost of the work
to the company, or individual for whose benefit IL
Is made. The Surveyor might also be required to
enter on the plats of each square the exact posi-
ton and depth Of the pipes, &c. the object being
to preserve accurate record Of everything under
as wen as above the ground, that appertains to
the health and convenience OF the CITY. some
general law upon the subject Is much needed for
the protection Of our streets and avenues, and II
the committee concur with me in opinion / hope
they may not find II inconsistent with their duties
TO report such bill.
There is another subject also entitled to the
consideration Of the committee. i refer 70 sew
ers that have been made by the General Gov
eminent. Some of our fellow citizens are of the
opinion that the privilege Of granting permission
to tap them for lateral sewers rests with the Com
missioner of Public Buildings whilst others think
that no permission is necessary from any authority,
and therefore they tap them without consulting
any one. Several applications have been made 70
me for permission TO tap sewers; but, having un-
defstood that the Corporation claimed control over
them, determined neither TO give nor refuse my
consent not deeming II proper to interfere between
the citizens and the Corporation. / think the
matter ought to be definitely settled, both for the
interest Of the Corporation and Of the citizens, and
| have no doubt the government would relinquish
all Of its right in the sewers Of whatever nature IL
may be, to the Corporation, provided the Corpora
ton would agree to keep them In good condition
Very respectfully, your obedent servant,
JNO. B. BLAKE,
Commissioner of Public Buildings.
DIR. SAMUEL g. Busy,
Chairman Committee on Police
Of the Board Of Aldermen.