Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-06-20

heDOEk VI the tOoEO Oh k~uDI1c WOFkS.
The following statement of the general system
Of improvements recommended by the Board OF
Public Works, sent to the House Of Delegates
to-day, will be read with great interest:
To the House Of Delegates Of the District Of Co
lamba'-ln compliance with q resolution adopted
by your honorable body on the 18th instant, the
Board of Public Works has the honor to trans
init a statement of the improvements which il
recommends, and the estimated cost thereof, and
to submit, for your consideration, a bill proyid-
ing the necessary means for the execution Of the
work.
The statement, it will be seen, contemplates
permanent improvements in every portion of the
District of Columbia, and comprises almost
every street and avenue In the cities of Washing
ton and Georgetown, as well as all the roads in
| the county. 1t provides for the improvement OF
the streets in the central part of Washington, by
| lessening the width of the carriageways, and
paving and sewering them, and also embraces
| the building of a main sewer from sth street
northwest to Rock Creek; the sewerage of the
| valley of the Tiber, and the paving and mac
adamizing Of large nun Der of streets in the
less thickly populated sections of the CITY. Ii is
estimated that "a 35s.59s will be the proportion
of the expense TO be borne by the treasury of the
District in making these improvements, and as,
in the opinion of the Board, that amount will be
sufficient to complete them, the necessity of
annual appropriations, so far as the prosecution
OF these works is concerned, will be obviated by
the passage of the bill herein respectfully rec
commended.
Were it required that this seemingly large
amount should be paid within single wear
grave apprehensions might justly arise as to the
| ability of the people TO meet 50 heavy a burden
money shall be raised by loan extending t over e
period OF twenty years; and il will be found to
contain careful provision both for the payment
debt 1t is believed by the Board that should
the bill become law, and proper measures he
taken to protect credit there viii be no diff
Guilty in dispOsng, at satisfactory rate, of the
bonds which it is proposed to issue.
The aggregate of the accompanying statement
may at first appear extrayagant, but it should be
remembered that in w ashngton alone the city;s
proportion of the work done upon the streets du-
ring the past two years reached nearly million
and half of dollars. To dispel any suspicion of
extravaganza in its views or aims, the Board
need only invite a comparison of the work ac-
complished within that time, at so heavy an out
lay, with the comprehensive plan of improve
ments which IL proposes to inaugurate and COM
plete within the limit of the estimates
1t is perhaps proper to explain, in this cOnnec-
ton, that these estimates are based upon the
average rates paid for similar improvements by
the city of Washington, less twenty per cent,
deducted in view of the plan proposed by the
board TO pay cash for all work that may be done
uncer its direction. 1t was TO a great extent
customary, under the old system, to commence
and complete an improvement in advance of any
arrangement for the payment of the cost. Con-
tractors were compelled to consider this fact.
and also that, as the corporation was rarely in
funds TO meet its obligations, the assessments
when made, would not yield more than eighty
cents On the dollar. To meet this condition of
affairs they generally added to their estimates
twenty per cent.
Another Objectionable practice which, in soma
instances, prevailed prior to the organization of
government for the District, was that of ex-
essive measurements in computing the amount
OF Work done. This will be prevented by the
ties of each kind OF work to be executed; and
thus, when a contract is entered into, the entire
amount TO be paid can be specifically deter
mined. No increase can thereafter be allowed,
as by the terms of the organic act even the
Legislative Assembly is prohibited after a con-
lsra,, l..
ing extra allowance" or compensation" to the
contractor.
Heretofore no improvement made could be con-
sidered permanency, and in numerous instan
supposed would accomplish the object desired
has, in short time, been reassessed TO remedy
some real or fancied defect in the plans first
executed. The system adopted by the Board
cOntC mplates that a street having once been i'm
proved, the prOperty-holder will not be required
TO meet another assessment for that particular
object, and that the only expense thereafter will
be for ordinary repairs that may, from time to
time, become necessary.
1t viii be seen, upon examination, that the
state ment embraces a thorough system of i'm
proyements, which may require years for COM
pletion. The Board is of the opinion that the
interests of the District imperatively require
that the necessary appropriation should at once
be granted, i'll order that operations NAV be
commenced without delay. Contracts for ma
terial can then be so regulated to thwart
monopolies and improper combinations and the
projected improvements may be prosecuted in
such connection, the one with the other, as to
accomplish the largest results for the least out
lay.
Under the municipal governments heretofore
existing, about three hundred thousand dollars
were yearly collected and expended as ward and
county funds, for casual repairs and local i'm.
Irovements, and, in addition large amount vas
collected and applied from the general fund.
The plan of the Board contemplates the compile
ton of a grand system of improvements without
one dollar OF increased tax upon the property
holders of the District. Indeed, the amount
taxation intarasf
the proposed bonded debt, and to provide a sink
ing fund for the extinguishment OF the princi-
pal, will not cost annually the sum heretofore
expended as ward and county funds for mere
casual repairs, and which, as thus applied, was
virtually thrown away.
Regarding the effect of this plan upon the gem
eral taxes of the District, the Board respectfully
submits that to pay the interest 81, 1853 sos in
bonds will require, in currency. 1906, So Add
the estimated premium on gold for the next one
or two years, at ten per cent, and the amount
required to pay the interest will be 1885,, GIL;
addition OF three per cent. on the principal, in
currency, (Which will be more than sufficient to
retire the gold bonds,) gives S466,36S as the
amount which will have to be raised by taxation
TO meet yearly the interest and principal OF the
proposed loan. Ofc0Irse, with each year the debt
will decrease, and in a brief period the rate of
taxation viii be much less than that stated.
The Board is satisfied, upon careful consider
alton, that as rule the value of property in the
District will not warrant the general intrOduc-
ton of wood or other expensive pavements and
that If at all used, they should be confined to a
1t is believed that road beds of stone, more
durable, and equally free from dust and mud,
can be constructed at less cost than has usually
been paid for the most ordinary kind of stone
pavements.
The Board begs to state, in conclusion, that
thorough investigation of the subject convinces
il that sound policy demands the Immediate in
auguration of comprehensive and stable system
of improvements, and that IL its recommended
tons should be adopted by the Legislative As
sembly, property win be enhanced in value to an
extent that win more than meet the expenses to
be incurred, the seat of the national government
be rendered attractive TO the people, and the
proportionate rate of taxation be largely re-
duced, as compared with that which has hereto
fore prevailed.
III. ID. COOKE, A. r. SHEPHERD,
JAS. A. MAGRUDRR, A b. MULLET
s. p. BROWN.
Washington, ID. c., June 20, 1871.
The plan Of Improvements recommended by
the Board of Public Works Is accompanied by
elaborate tabular statements showing the kind
amount, and expense Of the proposed work on