Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-07-25

not taEe water.
The ass essed valuation OF these houses show
that 10o43 are assessed below $500 each, leavir g
1858 assessed at $500 and upward. or only g.,
more houses than the whole number taking
water.
The number and valuation OF houses is shown
In he following table:
Loco to 1,500. g. 1879
1900 to 1000. ......................20 52
a,uoo 10 LOW Wy
$500 to 5000. 9sl
3,eeo 10 4,0oo. 1894
1000 to 5000. Observation-Disclosures. CAT
5000 to 5000. Observation-Disclosures. 1929
5000 to 1000. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 1S3
1000 and over. Observation-Disclosures. 612
Total. ....:...........156l3
From this table it is seen that of the Is ,6l3
houses assessed at $500 or upward, 10,54S are
assessed at $4,000 or under, this number being
tomac water. There are but LII houses as.
sessed at $1,000 and upward, and only Gl2 as
sessed at over $1,000. OF this entire list OF
a at 900 ana Upward it is prob
number is distributed over the entire range OF
assessed houses. The Commissioners, after a
caIeIni CONSIDERATION OF the tables, concluded
that "A would be reasonable charge for the
PRODUCTION OF water upon premises where no
INJURIES existed, as would probably be the case
WI MheTe Improvements were assessed under $500.
trey Ilxed $ as the rate upon houses assessed
from S5u0 to $1,000 the great majority OF such
ouiidings having in them modern conveniences.
:. Ihefe being 1851 so assessed in the two cities,
1t was clear that about 5000 must be water
takers. Under the old system 6,s29 houses are
charged between s. and 81. The rates for them,
thereto re, are increased from 81 to 81. Finally,
under Inc Old system there were 14,207 paying
from So to 81 water rent Under the present
system there are 1882 that pay from II TO $40,
the great majority paying between S and 81.
Under the present system the more valuable
houses taking water, being One-third OF the
whole number, are made to pay rate exceed
ing s., system whereby the expense OF the
department. 1t is believed, is distributed more
in accordance with the general system of taxa
proper Jy-than has heretofore prevailed.
it may be said that there should have been a
distinction between houses valued at over
$4,000, and made to pay SIS rent as a maxi
mum but the Commissioners thought that this
being three times as much as is paid by nearly
one hall OF all supplied with water, it would not
alton, especially as such houses have, in addi-
ton. quite large stable charges This is a mat
ter, however, reserved by them for further
consideration.
The present condition of the water supply IS
such as TO cause actual distress upon the higher
levels OF the city. Two remedies are practical
ble-one, the suppression OF waste; the other,
the increase OF the supply.
The result to be anticipated from resort to
lows:
The total amount of water brought to the two
cities daily Is 24,0oO,0o0 gallons! How much OF
this is wasted in the various departments of
government is unknown, but If we suppose 400
gallons to be the average daily consumption for
each house, the total used for domestic purposes
would be 100000 gallons, or one-fourth OF the
whole brought to the cities. charge of seven
tenthS OF one cent per 100 gallons (far less than
the usual charge In cities, would give an annual
revenue, allowing 10 per cent. for delinQuencies
and unoccupied houses, OF $l3l,970, or more
than the estimated receipts from the present
established rates; 1t Is possible charge OF one
half cent per 100 gallons would support the
department. Street-waShers being outside the
water metres would be used, subject to proper
regulation, without additional charge. This
waste.
Existing defects in the introduction of water
from the distributing reservoir and In the dis
living on the higher levels are suffering can be
remedied only through heavy expenditures,
which will fall upon the Water-takers, not upon
the general public.
An unlimited provision OF water would be a
most desirable thing, but its cost should be un-
derstood before entering upon any plan for its
Introduction. With a view to ascertain the
amount required and to determine the nature
and character of work involved careful inTesti-
cations have been made
Two plans are proposed-oDe contemplating
prolonging the present conduit to the immedi-
ate vicinity OF the city; the other simply laying
an additional main. In either case the dam at
the Great Falls must be completed, since at GER
tain seasons the present mains carry all the
water that the conduit now delivers. The Com
missioners have regarded the plan for extension
OF the CONDUIT, although the most expensive as
the best method OF increasing the supply since
by this means the water can be delivered in i'm
mensely greater quantities and at somewhat
higher level than can be done by laying one
new main. 1t Is also permanent Improvement.
The latter, however, Involves tie least inmedi-
ave aye outlay outlay ana as measure Of temporary re-
The cost or ttree-foOt main has been estt-
mated by the engineers In charge OF the aq,le-
DUCT at $39S, OCO At the present reduced price
OF non IN, the Commissioners estimate, however,
present supply, could be laid for S350,OoO. TO
this must be added the completion of the dam.
estimated at 100000, giving total Of $3.50 900.
to extingutsh the debt In thirty yeais viii Law
an additional burden OF SIS. S}3 upon the water
takers OF the city for the first year which would
be annually reduced by the operation Of the
sinking fund.
1t must be borne in mind also that any In
crease In the supply OF water, unless accoinpa-
MEG oy an increase In the reservoir capacity,
in condition unit Tor domestic use. ' '-'' o'''
Finally, the law requires that the Water de-
PAL tment shall be self sustaining: that its funds
shall be appropriated to no purpose other than
be made source Of profit to the District treas
ury. For several years past it has not been
sell. sustaining, and the present government is
suffering from the acts or failures to act OF the
ate governments in the District.
BY order OF the board.
S: L. PHELPS, President.
Washington Market, Retail Prices.
MEATs.-Beef, sfrlOin, 2Oc. per h.; DO porter
house. 20a25c; rib roast 12a20c.: steak, 12ba2Oc.:
Corned Beet, saloc.; Dried Beef, clipped, 25a3Oc;
Mutton, 12ha15c.; Pork, 1Oha12kc.; SausaGe''
PIC; Bacon Hams, sugar cured, 12ka14c;
Shoulders, sa9c:: Breasts, 10a11c.: Lard, Sal0c.
Fl FKU1Ts-Apples, soa4oc. per peck: Apricots,
81 per QOZ: Lemons. 40a5Oc. RananaS 2aatno