Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-10-06

Finding that the new water rates were de-
cided by the courts to be illegal. the Commits
sioners, 1t appears in their letters to the Com
mittee, reduced the expense OF watching buried
water pipes, and making out water rate bills
from s45, 600 to $4,000 per annum, they have
therefore by this one stroke OF economy In ad-
ministration Of water supply saved $4,000 of
the s1s,4O0 annual interest on the cost of eX-
tending the conduit, and as when this is fin
tshed no more pumps will be needed in Wash
tngton, the remaining S3,4O0 may certainly be
saved out OF the $4,000 annual expenses for
pumping or by further reduction in the water
department and by putting down the stand
pine.
The work now projected is the final compile
tion Of the government aqueducr. II the Uni
ted States in 1858, when its annual revenue was
s61 1915 40, by law ordered the construction
OF an aqueduct to the Capitol at an estimated
cost OF 50, ,2I1 ,244 1t Is not unreasonable to hope
that in 1879, when the annual revenue OF the
country has increased to S264, 500, 600 according
to the latest published estimate of the Secre-
tary of the Treasury, Congress will be willing
to order its extension, which now seems need
ed, to the northern boundary of the Capitol
when an appropriation OF less than half
million will secure for all time in the words Of
the original joint resolution ordering the ortgt-
nal surveys 'aa usltailing and abundant supply
of pure and wholesome lcdter."
Should, however, Congress decline at this
tine tine to grant the needed approprlatioan It has
miSsionerS OF the District that by economizing
In the water department they have, since the
Increase OF water rates was declared illegal by
lures Of the difference between $1,000 and
$50, 600 year. AS when the aqueduct is COM
pleted no more pumping will be necessary in
Washington, and they have lately stated that
the present annual cost of steam pumping is
$4,000, it may be assumed that at least one
half Of this sum can also be saved by discontinue
ing the use for the city Of Washington of the
steam pumps and of the stand pipe on 10th
street, north Of the city. $1,000 saved in these
items, added to 900 already saved in the eX-
pense Of the water department, make $4,000 q
Olitp sufficient the annual
interest of S1S,400 a year upon re 100000
which will be needed to complete the conduit
to 10th and Boundary streets, and relieve the
grounds Of Washington.
Therefore it seems that the Commissioners
We're unduly despondent when they closed their
letter to the committee Of the Senate on water
supply with an estimated annual charge OF
S91, 500 as the price of a more abundant supply
of water at greater height, and declared this
project too expensive to be recommended.
1t is easy to point out another and consid-
cradle economy to be effected In the annual
expenses Of the water department of Washing
ton. All street distributing pipes laid for years
not intended as main feeders are inches In
diameter. Georgetown has an ample supply of
water through 4-inch pipes. Philadelphia, Bal
timore, Cincinnati, Columbus, Rochester and
many other cities much more closely built and
more densely populated than Washington, In
which, also, much more water is used for man
ufacturing purposes, make large use of finch
miles OF finch pipe doing satisfactory SER
vice. Columbus, Ohio, alone has 13h miles
of 4 inch pipes. AS the inch pipe costs just
= more than the inch pipe, saving of = the
whole expense OF laying street pipes can be
hereafter made by using inch instead of 6
inch pipes. That is to say $4,000 raised by
water tax on land will go as far in inch pipes
as Sl5, 600 under the present system. 1t cannot
be doubted that this economy Will commend
itself as judicious, at least to all lot owners who
expect within few years to be taxed for the
purpose Of extending the street pipes.
When the conduit is brought to 10th and
judtcious not to take down the stand pipe, but
to use it as source Of supply for the suburban
dwellings on the high ground north Of Boundary
street.
It las been purchased and set up; 1t will sell
for little. And it will not be long before Mount
Pleasant and other suburban villages will ask
for share in the benefits of the aqueduct.