Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-05-28
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
The Sewerage Question


The Sewerage Question.
Editor EreBjI2g Stdr:-AS the writer was
somewhat familiar with the plan of Mr.. Sever
son in former years to clean out the old canal
and as perceive by the papers he proposes to
il is Sewer,) would like to say a few words
in regard TO The matter.
pAbout 1863 he, by persistent effort, obtained
plan on the canal The work was done ac-
cOrding to his plans, which extended from 18th
street wharf to the inner channel, from thence
by causeway to the Monument grounds In the
last he had several flood gates erected, though
whose aid all of the deposits of filth, &C. was
to be swept out, and through to the Eastern
Branch. The public is familiar with the en-
tire failure of the whole plan; and as conse-
quence of such failure, the destruction OF the
canal and the construction of the sewers over
which the present controversy has arisen.
And as steps are about to be taken to repeat
the same piece OF folly, / desire to enter my
protest by giving you the following facts
The AnacOStia river at ebb tide DISCHARGES a
very large body, of water. which is pressed
forward by the large northwest branch and
many other tributaries, SO that it deScendS
with the speed OF milldam, and as the chan
mel is on this side, We have volume of water
from 80 to 10 feet deep and 800 feet wide de-
Seendlng until 1t meets the flood tide of the
Potomac at the Arsenal, and is forced back
into James Greek, then into the Tiber sewer
and, as a consequence, from the pressure o.
the two rivers combining 10 make this result
and the obstruction of the bridge and flood
gates, the water in the sewers reaches l7tI
street before that in the river. This being
fact, you will perceive that Major Randolph
and Mr.. SeyerSOn, by their respective plans
propose to force water up hill, or against
superior pressure from without. As this state
ment may be doubted, will say that after Mr..
SeyeTSOnS hOOdgateS were in operation l.
feeling an interest in the matter, invited the
committee on canals to meet me on the cana,
naming the hour when the tide would turn
In the presence of the committee / threw
pieces of wood into the canal, which, instead
OF going east as promised, went in che oppo
site direction. The committee was diSap-
pointed; nothing was said of the matter: the
hOOdgates, by reason of this fact, were aban.
dOned, as from the fast filling canal it was
perceived they We're a nuisance, until finally
they were lifted out by mud machines thrown
on the banks, broken up, and carried off by
the poor for firewOOd
Now. then, you will perceive that if Mr.. Sew
erson plan IS adopted, he must to get a suffc
ent quantity OF water, erect his fOOd-gateS on
the Identical spot he had them before because
to do anything less than this, or i'm other words
10 utilize BabcOckS Lake alone would be folly
as 1t Will not hold water enough to wet the floor
OF the sewer its entire length, and as cOnse-
quence the sediment would settle not further
east than 1lth street and choke the sewer in
ninety days, as the canal was choked between
9TH and 9TH streets to the height of two feet
above high water, as you may recoect
From the above, you will perceive that Major
RandOlphS plan IS equally Objectionable as
he, like Mr.. SeyerSOn, proposes not only to-
force water up hill, but to force it against the
combined pressure of two large rivers Now
be erects pump of immense power he would
never be able TO create current in the sewer
or move pound OF sand one hundred yards
from where his water enters, for the simple
reason that the floor of the sewers so low that
It Is never clear of water, at the lateraIS
from 9th TO llth street discharge sufficient
water 10, AT all times, have depth of at least
two feet, which all flows towards 18th street
as the fall IS in that direction. To drive back
al TINS water and uprOOt all this sediment, he
would not nave over one hour in every six. If
this Is so, OF which | have no doubt his fires
must cool and his men lay idle for five hours
out OF every SIX, as the only time he could
Work would be at mean low tide, as he would
hardly undertake TO drive back the AnacOstia
and fotomac rivers when forcing their water
m James Creek.
This whole problem would be solved if the
authorities would: FirSt-Build two twelve
feet sewers, one down 9Th the other down nth
street, 10 the river, connecting the same to
heve the latter.
SeeOnd-Cause to be dug and properly con-
strueted large basins and dams at the follow
lng points: sth street and Boundary (BrOwn's)
NV; I'd and Boundary (Bears) NV: Sd and
boundary fGaeS) ne, by the erection of
these dams where those respective runs
empty into The sewers, you will prevent
The washing of immense Quantities of sand
and gravel into the sewers which forces IFS
way principally down the North Capitol street
sewer until it reaches the vicinity of MARY.
iand avenue, and is there met by the river
Ides ana settles, to be removed at an ex-
Pe9dSe, OF Ior the privilege Of selling the sand
nos mt TO be used for any purpose Nv cbeck
ing the flow Of this material (which is of a
very superior quality in the basins the nriv
lege OF procuring ii could be rented and in
stead OF being an expense il would be a Source
of profit Respectfully,
HENRY LYLEs.
A DESERTED WIFE W .NTs DIvoRCE.-To-
day MesSrs. b. g. LOvej0y and Reginald Fen
dali, for Elyira Mena Frederick Louie
Brinkmann, filed bill against August Philip
Brlnkmann for divorce from bed and board
and for alimOny. The petitioner alleges that.
under the name OF Risch, in March 1875 she was
married 10 respondent in NewYOrk and shortly
after they moved to this city, but i'm few
months, under the pretence of visiting his
relatives he left her, and for long time alb
scented himself and contributed nothing to her
support, and she was compelled to give music
lessons Tor living and she charges that She
gave nam no good cause for deserving her. and
that he thus acted in order to get her to sue
Tor divorce. She also asks alimony, &c.
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striped silks, one hundred (l00) pieces of silks
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checked and striped silks on light and dark
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Sh'tei' &c, Se.-AdUt.
ihOsE BOYS OF Mine are delighted at the
LIE ao s ~ winch i procured for them ar tine
Bo3e SiotHihg House OF Ii. Robinson 81 70 oo