Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-02-18
District Government Affairs.

Inc DISTRICT commissioners reply to letter
from Ben T. Vivian, Of Bergen Mercer county,
KY. who few days since asked permission to
occupy space OF ground in one OF the public
squares for the exhibition OF a section of "Big
Cdhforb1a Tree, that they do not think It eX-
pedent to DO so. nor to express an opinion as
10 the success or such an enterprise.
THE REPAIRS TO THE M-STREET BRIDGE
over Rock Creek were finished to-day, so far
as the Strengthening OF It is concerned. Two
n.w Iusses have been added by the PittBburg
BrlCge Company, making five instead of three
uusses. and the District authorities are now
putting Gown new flooring OF North Carolina
pine strngers and oak plank floor. The stone
WORK has been done by Mr.. Henry Himber
con1l actor. the whole under the supervision of
Lieut. F. V. Greene. with Mr.. d. E. McComb
civil engineer, In charge of the work. 1t is
Gays and that 1t Will be in all respects a FIRST
class bridge, equal In capacity, as to strength,
to any in the District.
FACTS ABOUT THE FREsHRT.
Lieutenant +. V. Greene has submitted to
Engineer Commissioner Twlning for the rec.
oTdS OF the Office map showing the sub
merged district In the late flood, and the fol-
loving tag memorandum in regard to it: 81. The
time or highest water was about I pm. Satur-
Gay, FEBRUARY 18th, 1881 2. The area OF the
hooded district at that time was 253 S. 10 acres.
me greatest depth Of water (at 18th and
water at Its highest was as follows. with refer
ence to mean high tide: At 18th and B streets
II. feet; 18th and G streets 1162 do; 18th St
and pennsylvania avenue 1890 do; Sd street,
below Maryland avenue, SO d. 1st street and
virginia avenue 9.l2 do The average height
for the district west OF 18th street NAV be taken
at ~ feet, and for the area east of 7th street
at 1913 feet. 4. The highest point reached by
the water at the mouth of the sewer was %,
or over feet below the Hooded district near 18th
street: The traps emptying into the sewer car
Iied on the water to the extent Of their capa-
city, and for this reason the water did not cross
Virginia avenue lowest point 90 feeD or cover
orr "a fNl
line OF the flood was along the line OF the for
mer canal, and the low water In the James
creek canal proves conclusively that the flood
was due to the obstruction OF the Long bridge
TDlS bridge gave way at the Washington chan
mel about pm, February 18th, and the water
quickly left the city. AT the time OF high tide
the next morning no part OF the city was SUBJ
merged.
Mayor CORTLAND Fl. Smith, Auditor Brockett
Chlef Engineer Fire Depari ment Leadbeater
ana number OF the members OF the aldermen
and council. OF Alexandria. called upon the
DISTRICT commissioners Wednesday evening,
and flied with them copies OF the letter of MI.
Thomas v. Risheill to Prof. S. F. Baird T. s.
Fish commissioner, and the reply OF the latter
In relationtO the Injurious effects of gas tar In
the river upon shad. Ina communication lefe
with the Commissioners upon this subject they
say: ~ Is desirable that the refuse gas tar
manufactured at the Washington gas works De
diverted from the Potomac. and they respect
1nlly ask that the Commissioners will take such
action as VIII meet the views OF Prof. Baird ia
the interest OF the Potomac fisheries" The
commissioners said the question was one OF
Importance, and they fully agreed with the
oeiegatoh that some means should be devised
TO prevent the introduction of this substance
into the river, ana would unite with the Alex
aIdTla authorities In anything looking to ths
END. AT the full meeting OF the board, the
papers were referred to the health officer with
instructions TO examine into the subject and
make such suggestions as he might think pro-
per Tor correction OF the evil and report. This
mas been done, and this morning the health
OFFICER reported to the Commissioners that "Jhe
refuse tar and ammoDiacal liquor from WASH
1ngton gas works are neither OF them allowed
10 escape into the Potomac. but are conveyed
by means OF pipes TO separate establishments
and utilized; the former in manufacturing gas
tar and the latter sulphate OF ammonia / find
that the refuse from the Georgetown works Is
deposited In Rock Creek ana flows thence into
the Potomac. The only way to preveat this
would be TO secure utilization of the material
or legislation 10 prevent its disposal 10 this
MANNER The matter Is not one. | think, On
which the health officer could proceed under
our ordinances