Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-01-15
The Water-supply Question i'm Con-
UrpkS.

The Senate committee on the District of Co
lumbia has taken up the report of their SUBJ
committee. pointing out how an abundant sup
ply OF water may be procured for Washington
and Georgetown with the view of dlsposing OF the
subject without delay. There has, so far, been
but little discussion OF this question By the
committee but 1t has developed a feeling on the
part OF majority adverse TO the proposed ex
tension and Improvement of the water works.
1t would appear that only two or three men,
bers of the committee have studied the subject
carefully, and the chairman, who has devoted
more time and labor than any OF the others to
an investigation of the matter, seems to be the
one most favorably disposed to meet the wants
of the District. Among members of the CON-
mitteee, and by Senators who do not belong
TO it, there is great deal said about
what they consider the ''extravagant waste of
water in the District. Indeed, this is urged as
reason why Congress should not appropriate
money to extend and improve the works. Sena-
tors say that II the District Commissioners
would adopt some means to prevent waste
there would be plenty of water, without any en-
1argement of the supply. 1t IS said that the
quantity Of water consumed per capita in the
District is much larger than in any city of the
Union, and the residents are censured because
OF the waste, and the Commissioners are CEN
sured because they do not stop it. Now any
Senator who would take the pains to inquire
into the manner OF the waste would. upon as
pertaining the fact, readily discover that
neither the citizens nor the Commissioners are
to blame and that the chief objection now
urged against extending the work ought not
to prevent the improvement. The truth
Is that large portion Of the .'enor-
nous waste" charged against the citizens
occurs in the government departments where
water through faucets and waste pipes is kept
WIN mi nfr Inal t1y- ,-f,,
rather those who control them, are not willing
to recognize the right of any authority to re-
strict them in the use of water. 1t is urged
hat the water works were constructed by the
government mainly for government use, and
that citizens were generously permitted to share
the benefit (by paying water rents), and they
ought to receive what they get with due thanks
and utter no complaints Considering the SUBJ
ject practically, 1t will undoubtedly require a
large appropriation to extend and improve the
water works. II 1t could be done with two or
three hundred thousand dollars Congress would
not hesitate long about it. But it will require
more than one million Of dollars to construct
an extension that will be OF any USE
and this sum staggers some of the congressman.
They are unwilling to vote for an appropriation
so large and therefore suggest halfway mea-
SureS. The chairman of the Senate District
Committee has supplied an answer to this OBJ
lection so practical and sensible that it ought to
overcome it. He has said that 1t would cost as
much TO put in operation an effective system of
stopping what is called waste" as it would to
construct the extension proposed in the SUBJ
committees report. The extension would, when
completed, give tAe water works capacity to
supply all the water that Will be needed for
many years TO come, making due allowance for
the rapid growth OF Washington; the eXpendi-
ture for a system to stop waste would accom-
plish but temporary good. 1t would; for the
present, perhaps, distribute the supply OF water
more equally among consumers but in q few
years at most, the capacity of the works must
be enlarged. Then another large expenditure
would he called for and it would necessarily be
larger than the estimates of the proposed ex-
tension now, because the system of preventing
waste would have to be enlarged with the
works. Water meters and all other Contrivances
for stopping waste are very expensive and OF
doubtful value. Therefore, chairman Harris
has, in considering this question, taken the
position that the economical plan is to enlarge
and extend the works now. and this will put an
end to government expenditure upon them for
many years to come. The proposed extension
would render the works capable of supplying
AN the water needed by the present population
and the increase that comes yearly. This prac-
tfcal and economical view OF the question may
be impressed upon Congress and lead to the
granting OF the appropriation. but the present
temper of the Senators, at least, Is not favorable
to the extension. 1t is conceded that money
ought to be appropriated for the completion Of
the dam, and this much, no doubt will be DONE