National Republican., 1881-10-31
REPORT OF LrEureNANr HoxiE.
improvements Necessary 60 We Made In
the DistrIct-The Railroad Qucstion.

Lieutenant II. l.. Hoxie, the assistant
engineer Of the District in his annual report dis
ciIsses n number Of important subjects. In regard
to the reclamation ofthe Potomac Flats the report
states that the plan Of Major Twinlng for the new
river-front, outlined in THE REPUBLICAN some
time ago, contemplatos what tho river Is doing
itself sandy fiat is forming in front Of the city
because the main channel is wider here than
necessary II is ouly needed to fll this sufficiently
to change it from marsh to dry land and protect
the border by an embankment that will not
wash away. II filed n little above high tide it
may readily be kept dry by surface drains and
food valves and the embankment will keep
off the freshets. This would be the first
stage Of the work. The filling to desirable eleya-
ton above the tide may be chcapy completed,
aftcrward, in dredging the river channel, and
need not be hurried, the marsh disappears Mt the
first stage ofthe work. The report maintains that
the present water supply is only sufficient for the
lower part of the city nnd more pumps would be
necessary TO give the high grounds their share.
at present there Is needed an appropriation to
bring into the city the quantity Of water which now
can only be brought MS inr rs the distributing
reservoir. A plan for the construction Of n union
depot east Of the Capitol to be used both by the
Baltimore and Ohio and the Baltimore and Poto-
mac Railroads Is given in null. It proposes TO
unite the two branches Of the Baltimore aud Ohio
road at some point outside the city limits, TO be
selected by the company, and bring them into the
city at boundary street, OH the line Of Twelfth
street east, and on the established city grand
/ Thence the road will follow the line OF Twelfth
street southward, on the grade of the street. to G
| street. at which point the grade changes SO
| ns to enter tunnel ut the north
| building line of Maryland avenue Following
| the line of Twcllh street southwark, the tunnel
| continues TO Lincoln Square aud, passing beneath
this square, turns Into tho line Of North Carolina
| avenue which Il follows to the west building line
OF Second street east At this poiut the city grades
/ fall prccipitOusy to the low grounds, and short
| open cut connects the tunnel with an elevated
ruhd which follows the same line Of North Caro-
| lima avenue To the intersection OF New Jersey
| avenue and street southeast, crossing this
| intersection at an elevation Of twenty two feet
| above the city grade Up TO this point
| the line Is intended for the exclusive use
Of the Baltimore aud Ohio Railroad and is
| dc'igned for two tracks only. The Baltimore and
Potomac will be detected where II is in tunnel AT
| Eighth and Virginia avenue, northward along the
1 liuc OF Eighth street, continuing In tunnel to
| street south; thence along 4 street to the west
| bnllling-linc Of Third street southeast At thi,
point short open cut connects with al elevated
| road, which continues oil tie line OF !
street 10 the Intersection OF New Jersey
avenue, crossing Mt twenty-five feet Rbov,
the street grade and coming up nlongsid,
the elevated road OF the Baltimore and Obi,
Railroad Mt the same clevetiOr. Up to tails poin
this line Is intended for the exclusive use of th,
| Baltimore and Potomac Railroad, and Is designed
| for two trucks. From this point common liue o
rnud with four tracks continues to the Long Bridge
The total expense of the Baltimore and Ohio in
| dependent line will be s9j9,S7SG0; for the Bnlt
more AMI Potomac independent line, Si0j 800. %
combined line west of New Jersey avenue
| 81 .OO0b5iM