Evening star., 1869-12-15
IMPROVEMENT Of the City.

SEWERS, CARRIAGEwAYs, FooTwAYs, NEW
BUrLDISGs-REPoRr OF suPERISrESDESr
BLISS.
Mr. Charles H. Bliss, Superintendent of Sew
ers, &c, sent 70 the City Councils last night q
detailed report Of his operations since his ap-
pointment in July last, and submitting for the
consideration Of the Boards a number of facts
and suggestions. Mr.. Bliss states that on as
suming charge of the office he found no records
In existence; nothing from which the loca-
ton, grade or depth Of single sewer in thecit
could be determined no data OF fdotways,
cfosswalks and alleys laid out and paved; I'm
fact nothing but an uninviting Office. Now, he
says, he can show a complete record and plans
amounts Of all assessments, and Of each pro-
perty-holder's bill, thereby enabling him at a
glance to obtain Whatever Information he may
desire.
Since July last there has been 10k miles of
footways laid, and miles are under construc-
ton; l3k miles OF cutters laid and under con-
srucuon; 20 crossings and alley openings, and
IS alleys opened and paved, at a total cost Of
S376, 800.
Mr.. Bliss reports that he found the upper
half of the sewer in Fourth street west for over
square in length, had but one course of brick
instead of two, as required by law and contract,
although the officers in charge reported to the
Mayor that the work was properly done. The
work has since been put in proper order, and
the line of sewer from + street to New York ave-
nue. Is nearly completed. The sewer in Twelfth
street. from Pennsylvania avenue to Massachu-
setts avenue, is nearly completed. The Super
intendent recommends that there should be a
law 10 prevent any person tapping sewer
except by experienced workmen, under control
of the city authorities. Sewer in PENNSYLVANIA
avenue, between l4th and 18th streets west, has
been completed, and those in q street, between
l2th and 18th; In Second street east, and in L
street north, between 9Th and 7th are approach
ing completion. The Superintendent has made
q thorough inspection Of the Fourteenth sewer,
from Pennsylvania avenue to North n street,
ton, and recommends that they be repaired
immediately, and barriers erected around the
dangerous places, for safety, until the repairs
are made, which will probably cost S3 900: He
has prepared O system of sewerage, and the
main line is rapidly progressing, capable of
draining that section of the First Ward en-
braced between 18th street and Rock Greek and
The Superintendent discovers an absolute ne
cessity Of some provision being made to open
and clean sewers. Many of them are cl0gged
and filled with debris from the cutters, and
should be cleaned this winter, and an appr0pri
alton made for the work. The outlets at the
canal should be opened. The cellars Of many Of
our citizens where sewers are constructed are
Hooded, and great injury sustained thereby,
during floods and heavy rains. This should be
remedied Mr.. Bliss says he proposes to prepare
plan Of sewerage for the whole city this
winter.
THE WASHINGTON CANAL.
Mr.. Bliss asks: What shall be done with our
main setrer, the canal? No argument is required
that speedi1 has must T. be % ons
would preserve the health Of the city. There
seems to be an absolute necessity that it should
be done this winter, and would recommend
that two dredging machines be put in operation,
either by contract or by the city, without delay.
By commencing this work, q large
body Of men can be employed this winter, thus
helping the poor labOrng men and preventing
much want. l am fully satisfied that the rents
on the line of the canal will pay 10 per cent in
terest on the cost of the improvement, even IL it
should amount to 500 600. i think, in view of
the certainty that the international Industrial
Exhibition will be held in this city, that this fact
alone should determine the question of doing
away with nuisaI ce that is bye-wOrd and a
reproach upon the otherwise fair fame Of the
nations capital"
CARRIAGRwAYs.
Under this head the Superintendent says -
"The proper material for paving carriageways
is question Of great Importance, and 1 am of
the opinion that experience has shown, beyond
doubt, that the rough, wedge shaped stone
chiefly used in this city has not proved entirely
comend square blocks Of six or seven inches in
surface by seven in depth. The best and cheap
est stone is to be found in abundance, and any
quantity can be obtained near the city, thereby
encouraging hoIae industry and enterprise.
Wooden pavements, on many accounts, are
preferred, and are coming into quite general
why they should not Be adopted IN this city
Many of our most entefprising and influential
citizens are extremely desirous of having the
experiment tried, and are willing to pay for the
Improvement. All that is necessary is the legal
izing Of wooden pavements.
In this connection L would recommend the
ensctsnent of law providing that all shaaxs
line."
BRIDGES.
Bridges have been built during the past sea-
son at the following points NORTH Capitol and
l. street; 4th and q streets north; 9Th and q
north; Sd and north; 18th street and Bound
airy; 2lst and l., and 18th and q north, at a total
cost Of about S40,O
STREET RAILROADS.
The Superintendent says The railroads
passing through different portions Of the city
need some positive legislation to oblige the COM
panies to keep them in proper repair. There
are many places where, in case Of accident, the
city might be held responsible, when the real
responsibility would rest with the railroad COM
panies. They should be obliged to keep the
streets paved, not only between the tracks, but
two feet outside, and all crossings should be
brtdged over the cutters from curb to curb, with
substantial bridges.o