Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-01-30
of the Potomac Flats.

HEARING BEFORE THE HOUSE COMMITTEE TO-DAY.
The House committee on the District of Co
lumbia to-day took up the subject of the i'm
provement of the river channel and the
reclamation Of the Potomac flats. Among those
who were present were Frank Hume, DR.. Nor
gan, John Van Riswick, J. P. Klingle, C. B.
Church, Benz. Severson, E. K. and J. H. john
son, Dr. Allen, Samuel Norment, W. d. Wise, c.
P. Culver, Col. Brooke and others.
MAJOR TwINING's VIEWS.
Major Twining explained plan which con-
templated the reorganization OF the harDor line,
and to have but one channel; to limit the river
from Easby's point, and back to the Washington
side; also plan which contemplated two chan
nelS, with an island between. He said the plan
OF one channel would make the deep water all
on the Virginia side, because of the stronger
currents on that side. He said he was not dis
plan, because the island formed thereby
commended a plan, which consists in
bulkheading the other channel to the first pier
of the Long bridge, and to fill up below the
bridge as much as may be necessary. The prin-
ciple of his plan is that there can be constructed
in the reclaimed lands a series Of ornamental
lakes, in which the water of the outer river
could flow at high tide, and have the same
flushed out at low tide keeping three feet of
prove ornamental. The drainage OF the city he
would take along Water street by means of a
collector and run 1t into the James Creek canal.
in e. e y pu4s 1h pan Waer would II coa
never fill up below the Long bridge.
Major Twining thought the inner channel
could CO, be prevented from wash by system emo OF
headed. Along the public parkings, from 9Th
street, any slope could be given it, as it would
not be necessary to bulkhead that portion, of
would take less filling than the two chan
mel plan, or the one channel plan, which
contemplated the twisting, OF the river
under his plan he thought a good deal
OF the filling could be done by a sand pump; if 1t
could the filling would not cost over ten cents
cubic yard. The dredging owners say that it
cents per cubic yard If he was right, and the
sand pipe could be used, the filing would cost
S1,30o,O00. II, however, 1t had to be dredged and
tramWayS used, the maximum cost would be
81, 100000. The Majors plan contemplates but
one main channel with an inner channel to the
Long Bridge. There would then be no marsh
The main channel could be kept on the Wash
ingtOn Side but it would involve great expense
and still leave marsh. The idea OF collector
for the sewage of the city along Water street
and throwing it into the James Creek Canal, he
said, would have to be adopted sooner or later
whether his plan was adopted or not
Mr.. CHURCH EXPLAINS THE TWO-CHANNEL PLAN.
Mr.. c. B. Church. on behalf of the Citizens
Committee of One Hundred, explained the two
channel plan agreed upon by the subcommittee
OF one hundred. He said it would reclaim
eighteen million dollars worth of land at a cost
OF little over one million dollars. He said
there were $50 acres of land which could be re-
claimed, well adapted for railway purposes and
a union depot. Mi. Church thought that Major
Twining's plan might not keep the channel pure
in the light of sanitary point of view.
Major Twining said he thought it would but
that he did not propose to antagoniZe any plan
which might be offered.
Mr.. Church said the plans adopted by the citi-
Zen'S committee could be accomplished at
an expense of one million dollars, and felt so
confident of it, that he would not be afraid to
take the contract himself at that price.
THE ONE CHANNEL PLAN.
Mr.. Joseph Williams advocated the one chan
mel plan on the Washington side.
Major TW1ning said this could be done at
great expense, but it would make permanent
marshes on the Virginia side of the river which
would be worse for the health OF the city than
ever before.
On motion of Chairman HuntoD, it was decl-
ded to invite Gen. Wright to give his views Gil
the improvement.
Major Twtntns said that the matter had now
gotten 10 that point when the improvement OF
the channel had TO be taken up. 1t was neces-
sary also, In a sanitary point OF view, for the
health Of the city.
At 12:45 O'Clock the committee adjourned to
Tuesday next.