Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-02-20

| merce. SDU naQ asked an aulltlOndi 9ppTOpTi-
| alton OF S50,0oo, which, with the uneXpended
| appropriations. would be sufficient 10 deepen
| this channel and make II four hundred feet
| wide between the bridge and Eastern branch.
| which is all that is required. The mud drUdged
| from this channel could be dumped on the Hats
which IL is desired 10 reclaim, and thus double
| service be done with the same labor. This del
| egatfon OF merchants did not propose TO inter-
| fere in any manner with any set plan which
| may be adopted for comprehensive improve
| ment Of this river, but they would oppose any
thing looking TO the closing up OF the Washing
ton channel, especially that part OF IL below
| the Long bridge wall could be made on the
western edge OF the channel and the mud and
debris dumped over ii, which would not inter
feTe with filling up the flats: then the channel
| above the bridge should be dredged out so far
as TO admit current OF water from the George
would sweep down stream all the fecal matter
aischarGed into the channel. What is wanted
| Is pure water through this channel. This COM
| mltlee % agreed TO appropriate $4,000 for this
The Chair asked Mr.. Church, as a practical
man, II In his opinion the plan proposed by him
@ would IN any manner conflict with the general
plan adopted by Congress in lS12 or that the
latter would tend TO damage commerce?
Mr.. Church said there would be no conflict at
all, unless the plan contemplated the closing UP
OF the channel, ard it would benefit Commerce.
Mhat they need Is deep channel, four hundred
feet wide, from the Long bridge TO the Eastern
Branch. with fresh current from the George
town channel, above the bridge
Mr.. Baker suggested that in view OF the d.
vefSfty OF views that the committee conf ne
themselves in their petition simply to asking
for the abatement OF this river nuisance and
ieaNe the mode or operations To the engineers
lie moved an amendment to the resolutions OF
Dr. Garnett, that the committee OF seven b,,
| empowered to 90 before the committees or Con.
| g1ess, direct, without running about for sicna.
lures TO petitions. The time was TOO short for
| this 'i''' i'i
! EX-CommISsioGer Thomas d. Bryan seconded
| this amendment, and said they had no time 10
loose ln searching for SignerS. What is needed
IS energetic, earnest and united action. and di-
Nestins al their actions from anything looking
TO Job. If they would accomplish the cndS
sought they must unite, 80 rs not 10 distract
Congress with a diS erSity OF wishes
Dr. Morgan said il was no use to act In the
Ozark. Any plan locking Il the Shdtting up OF
this Channel should be opposed 10y every citizen
The people would oppose il. lie favored d.
Garrett 5 resolution but opposed all schemes or
plans for closing this channel.
The amendment offered by Mr. Baker was
adopte0, and the chair was authorized To ap-
point the committee. He stated that he would
notify the committee to-day or his appoint
the committee
Mir. r. S. Davis thought the committee should
coDfine its action 10 simply urging Congress To
pass resolution directing the Secretary of War
TO make detail OF engineers to report a plan
The Chair suggested that there was no lack OF
plans; they desire something besides plans. The
District commissioners state that there is a
eCod disposition on the part of Congress. and
for this reason this meeting had been called
Mr.. W. &. MeUerot suggested that Major
TWlning, the Engineer Commissioners, be invited
10 make any explanation as To any particular
plan the commissioners favored
Malcr IWlnlng said he thought the meeting
lad acted wisely in not advocating any particlI-
lar plan. In the preparation OF the bills now be-
fore Congress the Commissioners had taken the
old plan of 1872 as basis, but had authorized
IFS modification by the board which the bill
would create, II passed. These notifications
would reconcile all differences. He explained
tiat the original plan proposed the entire oblit
Grafton Of the Washington channel, aud exten-
slEe changes to be made in the Eastern branch
Tie present purpose Of the commission is to
zeal with the flats above the long Bridge. As
for the channel below the bridge he did no;
think ii necessary to close it, lie explained
the plan OF 1872. stating that IL contemplated
several objects; first, TO fill out the flats 10 a
wide main channel from Georgetown 10 the
Arsenal point; reducing the height OF great
ticCdS at Georgetown by opening the Old chan
lei west OF AnalOStan Island; another thing
was to enlarge the opening through the Long
Bridge by cutting away the causeway to give
room Tor tie fioods. lt seemed to the District
commissioners too expensive a plan to under
take now, and they think il can be modified 50
as 10 suit ali interests and the work be accom-
pilSEed at much less expense, although by
the reduction in the cost of labor and material
tie estimates then made would be greatly re-
Guced. The Commissioners have no particular
pan; they want the flats nlled up and the lands
reclaimed. The grounds above the Long Bridge
ne thought, could be raised and surrounded
with q wall making sort OF reservoir or basin
which could be used to flush out the channel
on this side. The B-Street sewer at 18th street
should be carried out into the deep current so
that the offensive sewage matter should be
carried Off, and not left on the marshes as at
present.
Mr.. Church inquired If these plans could be
carried out without interfering with the Wash
ingtCn channel.
Major Twining said it was not necessary to
fill up this channel, but it would be kept open
TO navigation and improved by the flushing
process proposed. The present purpose is TO
get rid OF the sewer nuisance.
Judge Bryan suggested that the committee
be Instructed to avoid any recommendations
which would impair this channel
Dr. Morgan favored this. and reduced this
Idea to an amendment, and moved that the
committee be Instructed to SO present the
question that the Washington channel below
the Long Bridge will not be endangered
Major Iwining said he did not think il neceS-
Safy at all TO disturb this channel below the
Long Bridge.
DIR. Morgan, upon this explanation. withdrew
his motion, and the resolution was left as IL
was.
Mr.. b. II. Warner suggested that this organi-
Zatlon be continued and to meet when desired
10 act upon other public measures. He stated
that congressman are distracted and do not
Know now TO act, there being such a diversity
vi views among our citizens upon public meas
ureS.
The chair stated the purposes for which this
committee OF one Hundred had been organ
ked, and that they could not 20 outside of
these bounds.
Adjourned to meet at the call of the chairman.