Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-11-26

was offered for sale as directed. except the fish
wharf in Georgetown. The Commissioners
thought it best TO hold this property with the
hope of commanding better price A fair val
uatiOn limit was placed on all the property
authorized to be sold. Only two pieces of that
offered reached fair market price, viz: Lot 8.
IN square 81. and certain parcel of land i'm the
square south of square ISL. belonging to the
property in square 1S1 has been placed to the
credit of the District of Columbia for the pur-
poses named in the act
The purchaser of the property in square $50
mas not yet complied with the terms of sale !:
alleging as a reason for his NONCOMPLIANCE that
there was no authority given in the act of Con-
gress to the Commissioners to convey the said
property.
The balance of the property was withdrawn
for the reason stated. and will be offered again
when better market can be obtained.
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
The major and superintendent of police re-
ports the operations of the force under his CHARGE
and renews his recommendations for anincrease
Of the same. The extraordinary extent of the
territory embraced in the police jurisdiction
amounting to over seventy-twO square miles,
embracing the cities of Washington and George
town and all of the county of Washington,
makes the duty to be performed by the very
small number of men exceedingly arduous. and
does not afford the protection demanded by the
citizens. The majors appeal for an increase of
men is just and well founded and is strongly
recommended to the attention of Congress.
The thorough discipline and effectiveness of
the entire police department is worthy of all
commentator.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The fire commissioners report upon the con-
ditiOn and needs of the department and forward
the reports of its subordinate officers for the
year.
The high character of the fire department for
discipline. efficiency. and untiring zeal which has
characterized it heretofore is fully maintained.
The small amount of loss by fire. and the low
rate OF insurance upon property in the District.
furnishes abundant evidence of the Department.
fa;thfulness in the discharge of duty An ad-
ditiOnal company in the northeastern section of
the city, as recommended by the fire commits
siOners. is much needed. and the favorable ac-
ton OF Congress is respectfully invited.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
The report of the health officer is very thor
ough and complete, giving in minute detail the
working Of this most important branch of the
public service The statistics and tables afford
reliable evidence of the healthfulness of the
District. and its freedom from epidemic diseases
during the year.
The intelligent manner in which this depart
ment has been managed gives very general sat-
isfactiOn, and a liberal feeling on the part of
Congress will make it yet more efficient. The
suggestions of the health officer should receive
careful and thoughtful attention.
WATER DEPARTMENT.
The report of the water registrar shows that
the number of persons using the Potomac water.
for domestic and miscellaneous purposes on the
3Oth of June, 1880, was 1888. OF this number
664 have been connected during the year.
The receipts of the department. independent
of the tax for laying water mains. were
S113. 1850. The expenditures for all purposes
except for interest aud sinking fund were
566.6l4.97. The amount due for interest and
sinkngfun for the ensuing year is 81. go
Owing to arrears due to the sinking fund the
amount paid during the year on account of in
terest and sinking fund was So. 1871
The debt of the water department. which was
incurred for the purpose of having the 3S-inch
main. is now 1888. 900. The stock bears interest
at seven per cent. and cannot be called until
maturity October LIST. 1901. and July lst 1908 J
For this unfavOrable condition of the debt of
the water department. there appears to be no
immediate remedy. Under a 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 law TO conform to the usage of the
other departments of the District government
The total length of water mains in this District
is 1857 miles Ofthis total 1T miles consisting
OF so, IL. and inch mains were laid by the
United States. The remainder. including the 50
inch main, have been laid by the corporation of
Washington and the District of Columbia
There are now in usein the District, for the ser
vice of the public. $40 hydrants and 464 wells The
water from these wells is constantly analyZed
and when found to be impure the wells are con-
drnined and the pumps removed. While recog-
niZing the necessity for wells in many parts of
the city where the water mains have not vet
been extended, and also the fact that for the
poor who cannot afford the luxury of ice the
well-water is cooler. and therefore more agreea-
bic than that which flows from the public NY
drants. the Commissioners are not disposed to
extend the system unnecessarily, on account of
the danger to the public health which is liable to
result from the contamination Of the water by
sewage or by surface drainage.
The water registrar earnestly recommends
that immediate steps be taken to increase the
water supply. In common with the greater
number of American cities. Washington is now
suffering from q lack of proper pressure to de-
liver water on the higher levels and has reached
| that point where some decided legislation is
necessary The difficulty can be reached only
| by increasing the supply or by regulating and
reducing the consumption 10y the use of meters.
| The sentiment in Congress has heretofore appa-
renly been stronglyin favor of increasing the
supply. and report by the District committee OF
the Senate was made during the last session of
Congress, recommending the extension OF the
conduit and the completion of the dam at the
| Great Falls.
The conclusion Of the Senate committee (see
| Report No. 80, 18th Congress, I'd session. is
stated by them in the following language:
s'The government OF the United States under
| took this great work OF bringing ito the cities OF
| Washington and Georgetown an Unfailing and
| abundant supply Of good and wholesome water.
Ii has, at its own expense. constructed the works
| and laid large portion OF the principal mains
which supply the two cities. But to complete the
! work. put 1t in condition for the government and
people 10 reap the full benefit Of this great work.
! additional expenditures must be made. Believing
there should be no divided ownership, interest or
control, but that the government should have the
complete and absolute ownership and control OF
| the dam, conduit reservoirs and principal mains,
| the committee recommends:
''Ihat the expense OF completing the dam, ex-
tending the conduit and laying the connecting
mains be paid by the United States; and that the
authorities OF the District be perm tied, hereto
fore, TO lay such pipe may be necessary to dis
tribute the water TO the people, and to erect such
fountains as will supply the necessities OF persons
not able to have water brought into their houses "
The plan approved by the committee will I'M
doubtedly afford sufficient supply, and will de-
liver the greatest quantity of water at the high
est practicable level. The Commissioners, how
ever, are OF the opinion that this increase ofsup-
! ply should be accompanied by corresponding
increase In reservoir capacity in order that the
water may be delivered in reasonable contli-
| tion ofpuritv for domestic lse As full infor-
nation on all subjects connected with this oues-
! ton has been furnished to Congress heretofore
| to-