National Republican., 1878-05-21

The Senate District Committee having re-
questcd the Board of Health to report suggcs-
tions in reference to several bills before II con-
corning the sewerage and river front Of
Washington, the board held special meeting
last evening. Major Randolph and Engineer
Scvcrson were present and presented plans for
for improving the sewerage. Lieutenant
llOXic and Architect Cluss were also pres 2nt
by invitation.
Tho bill recently introduced In the House an.
thorizing the District Commissioners to con.
tract with Major Randolph for the construction
of the sewer proposed by that gentleman, the
cost not to exceed Sl5O,oOO, was read.
Major Randolph being invited to explain his
plan, exhibited drawings In brief tho plan
Is to have u continuous sewer constructed from
tho foot OF seventeenth street, through II street
and Missouri avenue, to connect with tho old
canal sewer, aud discharge in tho river near
Arsenal Point. Engines and apparatus are TO
be erected at the western extremity and at
Ninth street, which will keep a continual cuI.
rent of fresh water flowing eastward through
tho sewer Tho sewer is to be circular and
five feet in diameter Tho theory is that the
sewage will be diluted and carried oil before
there is opportunity for tho generation of
scwer-ga'cs. The plan is intended merely for
the sanitary improvement of the sewerage
MIR. sEvERsoN's PLAN.
Mr.. Sevcrson thought that the plan pre-.
scnted by Major Randolph was expensive, and
would require too much time to make its ben.
cnts attainabo this season. He suggested
another, which he claimed could be put in
operation in six weeks, and would cost about
Sl5,UDr. The temporary plan proposed by Mr..
Sevcrson Is modification of a more extensive
plan for permanent improvement of the
sewerage and river front already made by
him and submitted to Congress. The plan Is
to have u tidc-lock built between Bibcock
Lake and the river, so MS to make tho lake u
receptacle for tidc-watcr; then make suitable
connection between the sewers oil b street
and Missouri avenue, so as to have u conduit
| from the lake to the river front at the Ar
senal Point. Mr.. Scverson claims that In this
way a stream of water will be kept flowing
prrpctually eastward, the only motive power
being the pressure of the water from the lake
into the sewer.
The only outlay required would be ihe cost
of the tide.lock and the 600 or 700 feet of
sewer necessary to make tho connection on
Missouri avenue, between Sixth ard Seventh
streets.
The two plans were discussed at length.
Lieutenant Hoxie thought that Mai or Ran
dOlph's plan was feasible, and that it would
accomplish what he claimed for ii, and said
that ho would like to SEQ Mr.. Sevcrson's plan
demonstrated.
Mr.. Cluss, not having opportunity to discuss
either plan, did not inGorse either but called
attention to the fact that the sewer in gucs-
| tiOn from Seventeenth street to Seventh street
was up hill, there being fall oil twenty-seven
inches.
Lieutenant IOXie stated that q system diff
ftrent from Major Randolph's would be IT,
| quircd for carrying OF s;Orm.watcr, but il
would depend upon tho character of the pro-
posed improvements of the river front. Major
lamdolphs plan, ii adopted, would hot con =
ilict with future improvements and would in
vOlvc no loss
Mr.. Cluss favored Mr. Scvcrson's plan so far
ns 10 say that mechanical means should not be
rcsortcd to until natural means failed.
Mr.. Srvcr,On read an extract from dOCu-
mcnt submitted by himself to Congress, in re.
laton to the generation of sewer.gas.
A BREEZE.
The question of sickness and mortality he
ing thus brought up, DIR. Verdi turning to Mr.
Scvrrson, remarked:
You have stated publicly that the mortality
of the District has Increased during the past
two or three years. Where did you get yOur
iulOrmatiOnr'
From the Board of Health" replied Mr.
SevCrson.
Not from my reports" interrupted DR.
Bliss, with dcprccating shake of the head.
rs. SIT, salu Mf. SeNelsOn, Win an Cd
stinate air.
81 say to you,' said DR.. Bliss, looking equal.
ly obstinate, "thc death rate hus decreased
every year since we have obtained correct re
ports"
Mr.. Sevcrson persisted in saying that tn,
death rate us shown by the Board of Health re
ports had increased since 1874. Dr. Bliss cX
planned that in that year the statistics were
incorrect, as they showed only tho number Of
deaths registered" while statistics ofthe year
following showed the total mortality" OF th
District.
Mr.. Sovcrson still maintained that the re
ports showed an increase since 1874, averaging
800 deaths each year.
Dl YOU believe that is an honest state
mcnt - asked DR.. Bliss.
According to your own reports" replied
Mr.. ScversOn.
Il tell you," continued DR.. Bliss, with en-
phass, lit Is untrue, sir, and If you are al
honest man, you will take it rs it is stated il
the reports"
"a condition of facts" suggested DIR. Verd
which you Mr.. Seycrson) don't want to un
: dcrstand."
rotOrtod Mr.. SeversUn.
Then you didn't read all my report" con
tinucc Dr. Bliss, Il stated"
Nobody reads all your report" interrupted
! Mr.. SCVcIsOn.
Like Scversons communication to Con
grcss," intuEjcctod Judge Warden.
With this the subject dropped rs the matte
was laid on the table.
4 vote of tharks was returned to Mesgr
Randolph, SeversOn, and Cluss, and the tvs
former gentlemen We're requested to descri
their plans in writing. The board then ut
iourucd.