Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-11-27

the board OF public works It appears that there
were laid OF wood pavements 1.1Ss. 5s7.47 yards.
of fifty miles. Much OF this has now been re-
placed. so that on the 1St OF July there re-
NAMED 500, +Sl square yards. The present CON-
d Of new
at a total cost OF $5S1 ,102.2l. OF these pave
ments II, 43 yards are asphalt, 02,OI7.52
yards Of granite blocks, and ssoI:4s yards Of
july $4,000 yards OF paving have been placed
under contract, OF which about two-thirds has
been completed A large amount OF wooden
rolled down In gravel. BY these means the
total area of wood pavement has now been re
duced to $4,000 square yards, extending over
rotten pavementS will not be reached for two
years In addition to the above work a total
length OF three and quarter miles OF streets
has been opened and improved during the past
year.
COUNTRY ROADS.
These roads, which In their present form can
only be kept In tolerable condition by consta MT
LABOR, should be gradually laid down In mac
adam, with summer or driving road on either
side.
Roads so prepared and carefully rolled can be
eiple is Illustrated by the 7th street road which
Is now in good condition for 5000 feet beyond
the boundary. The methods there employed
shoIld De gradually extended TO all the prin-
clpal roads In the District.
SEWERS.
work upon the TWO main auxiliary sewers on
New York avenue and Boundary street has pro-
gresSed as rapidly as the circumstances would
permit. The principle involved in the construc-
ton OF these sewers has already been amply
indicated. By the partial opening of canal TO
the main channel Of the river, from the foot OF
18th street, the sewerage which has heretofore
lodged upon the flats has been carried into the
river beyond the marshes. AS the completion
OF this project will depend upon the special
method which may be adopted In the reclama-
ton OF the flats, 1t would be premature to exc
cute any work upon the canal In advance OF
the adoption Of some final scheme for the i'm
Drove ment OF the river front
The work upon the Boundary street sewer has
Of oen Ib greatly delayed ey the natural dcass
completed but no rapid progress can be expect
ed until the junction Is made with the existing
menced simultaneously at several points.
In the work upon the minor iaterais In differ
ent ports OF the city many substantial improve
ments have been introduced, and 1t may be said
with confidence that from this class Of con-
struction no trouble Is to be anticipated in the
future.
WATER RATES.
nder the authority OF the act OF June TO-
1880, the commissioners advanced the water
rates Of the city twenty per cent upon those
previously existing. This course was rendered
necessary by the financial condition OF the
control of the present board. The advances
from the general fund on account of interest
having now been repaid the rates for the CON-
ISL, can be reduced ten per cent. Amounts
hereafter falling due on account Of interest an6
sinking fund can be regularly met.
WATER SUPPLY.
The condition Of the general water supply Of
NO city is such as to require the imulediate
action or congress. This question, which has
been growing mo- aoa TN more ore pressing on &C.
increased consumption or alter, has now
reached that point when decisive ao.,on must
be taken.
At one time some controversy arose as to the
proper method OF increasing the supply. The
Facts In the case are clearly set forth in detail
In the annual report OF the Commissioners for
the ending June 30 and IN the
I'd session. In the latter report the committee
says;
OF the Potomac dam and the extension of the
conduit to the high ground north Of the city,
with the necessary main connections as the
pest means OF securing an abundant present
Washington and Georgetown. The ausntfty of
water thus secured will be quite equal to all
the necessities OF the public department
fountains and people.
The Government OF the United States under.
took this great work OF bringing ''to the cities
OF Washington and Georgetown an unfailing
and abundant supply Of good and wholesome
water" 1t has, at It's own expense, constructed
the works and laid large portion OF the prin-
clpal mains which supply the two cities. But
to complete the work, put 1t 10 condition for the
Government and people to reap the full benefit
of this great work, additional expenditures
divided ownership interest, or control, but that
the Government should have the complete aud
absolute ownership and control Of the dam con-
duit, reservoirs, and principal mains, the CON-
''That the expense OF completing the dam
extending the conduit, and laying the connect
Ing mains be paid by the United States; ana
that the authorities OF the District be permitted
as heretofore to lay such pipe as may be neces-
sary to distribute the water to the people, and
to cree! such fountains as Will supply the neces-
SUES OF persons not able to have water brought
It is earnestly hoped that this recommenda-
tlon, MADE after full and careful examination,
The general sentiment both of Congress and
or the people, las thus far been strongly In
favor OF Increasing the supply, rather than OF
reSOrttng to metres or other methods OF repreSs-
ing the general and free use or water"
POTOMAC RIVER FRONT.
In their last report the Commissioners gave
at considerable length their views in relation
to the improvement OF the river front and the
proper method OF retaining the marshes which
now SO inJur1ously affect the health and retard
the progress of the city. It is not necessary to
repeat In detail the recommendations then
made, as they have become a matter OF Official
record and were made the subject of special
message by the President to Congress. That
message was referred by the House of Repre-
sentattveS to the committee for the District OF
Columbia, and is now under consideration. It
Is QOpeO lQdI IaEOIaDle aCGlOl Will De taken
during the coming session. To the accomplish
ment Of that end the Commissioners Will give
their earnest efforts and ask the support OF the
citizens OF the District
The area of the marshes to be reclaimed
above the Long Bridge is 3239 acres, below the
bridge 1853 acres; or total OF 629.S acres.
The filling Of these marshes, estimated at 20 |
cents per cubic yard, will cost sSsIe per acre
reclaimed.
SECRETARY.
The secretary OF the board submits copies OF
orders passed during the fiscal year covered by
this report, and makes suggestions respecting
PROVISIONS for the arrangement OF the old records
OF the municipal governments In the District
preceding the government by Commissioners.
AUDITOR AND COMPTROLLER.
The auditor and comptroller In his report
submits detailed statements and explanations
respecting the receipts and expenditures Of the
District government for the fiscal year ending |
June so, $780,
COLLECTOR OF TAXES.
The collector OF taxes reports the collections |
by his Office during the fiscal year, and renews
the suggestions made In hts report for 1879 for |
additional legislation respecting the revenue |
from taxation. He makes other rec0mmenda- |
tons with view to increasing the efficiency Of |
the clerical force OF his Office
TRBAsURKR AND ASSESSOR.
The treasurer and assessor furnishes q state. |
ment of the business transacted BY his ONCE |
during the year. He fav0rs an improved license |
law as more satisfactory source OF revenue /