Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-07-26
District Government Affairs.

Of August 10, 1871, except those on the eth
read and the canal road, are hereby annulled
the work done on such roads, in the opinion of
the Commissioners, not being of character
JustifytDg assessments. In respect to the roads
excepted above, the commissioners will make
careful examination to determine whether the
work done is assessable and what will be a just
basis of revision"
TIE SOUTH WASHINGTON COMMITTEE WAIT ON
THE DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS.
The committee appointed by the Citizens
Protective Association OF South Washington to
walt upon the District Commissioners in rela-
b. Church, DIR. Charles Allen, James L. Bar
Oour, VIM. II. Clagett s. s. Baker, Rev. VIM.
BBiittinger, Samuel Bacon, C. Culver r. III L.
morning and had a full hearing.
Mr. c. B. Church led off In the expression OF
the views advanced at the meeting OF the aSso-
question, as published in THE STAR OF Thurs
day. Mr.. Church presented the case concisely,
explaining the objections of the shipping mer-
Washington channel by digging large ditch
and throwing up embankmentS on either
side from The mouth Of the street
that the same object could be attained by keen,
ing open the Washington channel above the
bridge to Easby's wharf. This open channel Is
absolutely. necessary for navigation on our
course of the old channel has been obstructed
by the dumping In OF earth, yet, there is still
natural charnel connecting this side with the
Georgetown channel. This channel, although
much diminished from what 1t was originally,
yet Is OF the utmost Importance In our river
commerce, and the object OF this committee
at the same time they do not wish to combat
the objects the Commissioners have in view
that of carrying Off the sewer discharge-but
they honestly think this can be done without
any interference with the channel. He showed
how, In the opinion OF the business men IL
could be accomplished, by curving the outlet
more towards the direction OF Easoy's point so
as not TO cross the present swash channel.
DR.. Allen followed In the same strain, and
stated that in former years this channel to
Georgetown was as much used by vessels as
the present channel on the south Side, known
as the Georgetown channel; but it had grad
ually been filing up, commencing with the
very day that the causeway at Mason's Island
was built, and continuing to the present time:
that many thousands of dollars had been ex-
pended In keeping the Georgetown channel free,
While but mO1ety had been expended for such
purposes on this side Of the river He stated
that II the same amounts had been expended
mel OF the two. This is proved by the results of
the small amount expended the present year in
dredging 10 front OF this City, below the Long
Bridge, where there is now satisfactory depth
OF water. He stated that they were opposed
to any and all projects looking to the filling
up or cutting OF OF the currents through this
chanLel
Commissioner Phelps here remarked in rela-
ton to what had been said about the former
condition OF the Washington channel, its depths:
&C., that there was pretty general mistake
about the past capacity OF this channel He
more ago, and said that at no time within his
memory had large vessels been able to ascend
10 Georgetown this way. The topography of
the river bottom at the points at issue had been
well studied up BY Engineer Commissioner
TW1n1ng. who had all the records of surveys.
commissioner Twining stated that the Com
missioners had no purpose In view Of interior
side OF the river. or of controlling the currents
OF the river to the prejudice of any one. The
matter OF control of the river belonged to the
United States, pure and simple. The District
authorities do not pretend to control or inter-
feIe In any way with the river front; they
have no business with it. Their only OBJ
Ject now is to carry of the sewer discharge
offensive to our citizens He said the old I'D
channel had already been pretty effectualIy
closed, but In lieu of 1t there had been formed
oy nature q sort OF swash channel, now commu-
nicating with our side. 1t did not amount to
much, as 1t was not navigable to vessels or
boats drawing hardly any water AT all events.
the commissioners do not propose to interfere
with VIII TINS sWash channel In making this outlet
the river requires at least two thousand feet of
iiowage capacity, and it could not be curtailed
below these figures. The embankment pro.
posed win not interfere with these figures
be carried out 1t will interfere with the river
front very materially. He also said that they
De sired that the cauSeWay at Masons Island he
ep w aown SO AS 20 give good and open flow
through between that island and the Virginia
shore --''
Here maps and chants were produced by the
District Commissioners one a cross section nj
he river at the point where the Long Bridge
now stands, traced In 1884, showing conclusive.
y that no material change had taken place In
he capacity OF the two river channels since
hat time. Other cross sections made from re-
cent SouDdings were also produced by the Com
n1sSi0ne 8, and exhibited to the comm,ttee
July bearing out this statement. The cross
section nrst alluded to Was made from repol of
during the administration of Gen Jackson.
MessrS. Church and Clagett asked II there
we're any cross sections showing the conditions
same period OF time, but they were informed
hat there were none. The depth of mud. sand.
gravel and stone beds of the river was discussed.
and the committee claimed that there was
nOth1ng IN the way to prevent the dredging out
u the washington channel from the Long bridge
10 Easby's Point.
MI. Clagett said what they object to is this
sake OF more land They have more land now
Ihan they know what to do with. The fact is.
they want more water and less land. He would
say survey from the draw Of the bridge to
Eas6ys Point, and ii there was nothing but
mud In the way of obstruction then dredge 1t
out and let 1t be ker. clean, and do it with the
same money that is proposed to be used In
nAnS q NAeOL oiu dCIOiS UQo
After full and free informal talk over the
matter, commissioner Twining consented to
suspend the work at certain point, where tn
the judgment OF the committee it would inter-
(ere with the present channel, until he could
ascertain how much 1t would so interfere. and
II 1t could be done, that the direction OF the
outlet should be so given as not to interfere
with the present SWash channel connecting
With the Washington channel. This was about
The results OF the hearing.
Dr. Allen asked about the water rent matter
and what the commissioners thought OF the
plans discussed at the South Washington
meeting OF merging the water department &C.
counts with the general fund of the District
and have the whole OF the District revenues
and disbursements under one fund, as now
established by law.
Commissioner Phelps said he thought this the
night plan; and would cooperate with the citi-
,ens In bringing about this state of things II
was the only Just plan to adopt. Let the ex-
penseS OF the water department pe borne from
the general fund, then all interested would be
required to sustain it, as all receive the benefit
II the water whether they pay a rent or not.
CLEANLINESS AT THE WASHINGTON MARKET
Health Officer Townshend has addressed q
note TO Mr.. T. s. Smith, clerk OF the Washing
.on Market company, stating that he finds,
upon inspection, that many OF the meat boxes
ard stands in that market are not kept Ia
cieanly condition, the refuse collecting during
market hours remaining days before removal:
That the animal and vegetable matter which
collects around the butcher and huckster stalls
1epOTnp MI md