The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1881-11-26

mRnly commended.
The report of the Water Registrar shows
that the number Of persons using the
Potomac water, for domestic and miscella-
neous purposes on the 30th of June, 1880,
was 1898 OF this number 66l have been
connected during the year. The receipts
Of the department, independent of tax for
laying water.malfis, were $t13,33S.S0. The
expenditures for all purposes, except for
interest aud sinking fund, were $56,614.97.
The amount due for interest and sinking
fund for the ensuing year is 81, $50, Owing
to arrears dte 70 the sinking fund, the
amount paid during the yesf On account CT
interest and sinking fund was 74,l23.U.
The debt of the Water Department, which
was incurred for the purpose of laying the
thirty-six-inch main, Is now $3S9,000.
The stock bears interest at per cent,
and cannot be called until maturity (Octo-
Der l. 1901, and July 1, 1909. For this
unfavorablc condition of the debt of the
Water Department there appears to be no
immediate remedy. Under u late decision
of the District Court the fiscal year of the
Water Department begins on the LIST of
January. The Commissioners are of the
opinion that it should be made by lew u
conform to the usage Of the other Depart.
ments of the District Government. The
totui icnBIl VI Wdlor InuiuS III tne DlStTlcJ
IS 1857 miles. OF this total III miles,
were laid by tho United statts The re-.
mainder, including the thirty .six-intk
main, have been laid by the corporation of
Washington and the District of Columbia.
They are now in use in the District, for the
service of the public, SIG hydrants and 46i
wells.
An increase of the water supply is
earnestly urged, and it is suggested that
the plan approved by the Senate Committee
in report No. 80 of the Forty-sixth Con-
gress will afford sufficient supply, and
will deliver the greatest quantity of water
at the highest practicable level. The Com
missioners, however, are Of the opinion that
this increase Of supply. should be accom-
panied by corresponding increase in
reservoir capacity in order that the water
may be delivered in reasonable condition
of purity for domestic use.
The condition of the street pavements on
the first of July last was rs follows: Con-
crete, including coal-tar and asphalt, 92
miles stone block, 1918 miles rough stone
and cObble, III miles; macadam, 7.45 miles
gravel, 1925 miles wood, 1877 miles I'M
improved, % miles. The Commissioners
have continued the policy heretofore
adopted by them and approved by Congress
of replacing the wooden pavements by as
phalt or stone, and during the last year
have renewed A miles. On the 1st of July.
1878, there were "a miles of wooden nave.
ment in the CITY, all in more or less
decayed and dangerous condition. At
the close of the fiscal year this will
have been reduced to about ten
miles, containing approximately 100000
sdtiarb yarls; it will therefore require two
wears more to effect tho renovation of these
impossible streets and avenues.
The operations of the year have beer
impeded and delayed by the combination OF
parties interested in the importation of
crude asphalt. The Commissioners are of
the opinion that no city can afford to place
itself in the power of any corporation oil
combination of men, by laying upon its
streets pavements of which the materials
are not to be bought in the omen market
They have, therefore, taken such steps a.
are necessary to determine the facts in re.
lation to the importation of asphalts by ad.
vertising for 800 tons of crude asphalt. II
this cannot be purchased freely and in open
market, it is their intention to abandon the
use of asphaltic payements.
As some complaint has been made in re-
gard to the condition of the sidewalks of
the CITY. il is proper to state that in the
absence of specific law. the Commissioners
have been at a loss rs to what policy to
pursue. There are now about 26O miles OF
sidewalks which, under the municipal
ordinance of 1853. would be kent in rcpair
by the owners of the adjoining property.
The board is advised by the attorney that
the ordinance cannot be enforced. The
most of the pavement is of brick, and one
tenth in bad condition. To assume the entir,
expenselof the footwalks of the city would
involve an expenditure larger than can, al
present, be borne By the general fund, es
pecially in view of the large areas of rotten
wood and rough stones in the heart of tn,
city, which are vet to be removed. There
are now ON file in the Commissioners Office
726 petitions for the Improvement of various
streets and avenues, covering nearly all OF
the cities of Washington and GEORGETOWN
II is found on examination that the cost OF
the improvements SO petitioned for, exclud
ing the unsettled portions east of Lincoln
Park. south of N street south, and between
the White Lot and the Observatory grounds
will he 50, $50. 500 IS. 1t is apparent a
once that the revenues of the District ar,
not sufficient to complete the work fo
MANY wears. All these improvements have
however, been estimated and scheduled 70
the information of Congress.
The Improvement of the river front Il
again earnestly urged.
The SURVEYS of tho District with refer.
ence to the extension of streets and ave
nues. have been continued during the wear
The triangulation has been completed ant
the Topography carried over an area o
cishC squulo MITES. ny u.e" I'm h9li",n, .'