Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-12-15
Those Potomac Flats.
A RIVER ISLAND PARK THE PROPER IMPROVE

To the Editor Of The EVENING STAR.

A RIVER ISLAND PARK THE PROPER IMPROVE
MEST.
To the Editor of The EVENING STAR
An old Washingtonian, through your columns.
asks the privilege of few words on a subject
OIL the first Importance, not only to this city and
Its inhabitants, but to the government and the
Country at large. This subject is covered by
the resolution OF yesterday from Mr.. Ransom.
ana adopted by the Senate directing the ap-
poiHsnent of a select committee of five. to in
q'iife and report-First, as to the condition of
TIE Potonac river front of the city; second as
10 the effect of bridges across the same uInn
navigation, floods and the health of the city:
ana thirdly what action ought to be taken in
the premises
Under similar resolution adopted at the last
session Mr.. Ransom and his special committee
were authorized to act through the late con-
gressionai recess; but from the magnitude of the
work IN hand they have doubtless hardly ac-
compiished more than breaking ground in their
general investigation. The present committee
embracing Senators Ransom, Jones. of Nevada
Kellogg. Conger and Vest however. from their
familiarity with the subject. and the means and
facilities for information at hand from all parts
OF the Union. with Congress i'm session, NAV
readily discharge to the public satisfaction the
important task assigned them.
First. no very arGuous labors will be required
TO discover the condition of the river front of
the city. 1t is the condition Of vast offensive
and peStiferOus public nuisance, which '.has in
creased, is increasing" and ought to be abol
ished. But the next question as to the effect
of bridges across the river upon navigation.
floods and the health Of the city covers the
whole ground of the river impr Ove;nents most
to be desired.
We know that the causeway Of the Long
bridge is the cause of the accumulation of the
washlngs from the upper country brought down
through nifty years by the river freShetS and de-
posted over all that extensive region Of flats
above the bridge to the National Observatory
TO below the bridge to the end OF the flats Op-
posite the arsenal pier. We know that these
deposits have been gradually encroachin@ upon
Doth channels of the river front of the city until
their navigation has been seriously interrupted.
We know from the breaking up of the frozen
river last winter. and the heavy flood of water,
ice dIift-w0od and rubbish of that memorable
Eth OF February that the Long bridge with
that c5lIlSeway under such conditions becomes
a dam arresting the downward progress of the
stream, and backing it up the old valley of the
IlDer IN a rushing Hood to the foot of the Capt.
toll We know, too. from those poisonous MAS
matte flats the OutgrOwth of that causeway
that the health of tine ridge along the river front
between Fifteenth street and the mouth of Rock
creek, Ids become so seriously affected as to
become almost depopulated. If not uninhabit-
abe, through the summer and autumn. save by
our coiored population. We know that in the
white House the family Of President Pierce suf-
day the Executive Mansion. excepting the accii-
mated Andrew johnson. has not been occupied
through the summer by any executive. We
know that the lamented Professor Maury's life
was shortened by the maarial atmosphere of
the National Observatory and that from his day
TO the present time. the professors and servants
OF that institution have been great consumers
OF quinine regularly from June to November
we know, too, that the venerable Van Ness
mansion not less famous i'm its day for the
hoo .,-,l p.
It's inequalities. has become hOt-bed of pesti-
lence and a nideOuS eye-SOre as q sink of abOm-
nations.
Such are the consequences to the health of
the city. mainly chargeable to that causeway of
the Long Bridge. What action then ought to
De taken In the premises! We believe there is
bill before Congress providing for the cession
To any company undertaking the reclamation of
those flats. OF all the lands thus made. Pass
such a bill, and in due time with those flats
transformed into dry land, and covered with
railway depots and workshops. and with abat-
tors. Kerosene refneries. and bone boiling
establishments, we shall be out of the frying
pan into the fire. with all the nuisances which
New York City suffers from Hunters Point.
DO we want such improvements on our river
front? No, sir. We want those flats trans
formed into a river island park for the benefit
OF the city. and as perpetual Inheritance We
say an island park because the north channel
OF the river should be kept open. and deepened
to a junction with the main channel near Eas-
by wharf. While deepening the main channel
below that point. We want this north channel
through for the purposes of the city's trade and
drainage.
The dredgings from the two channels to
great extent will serve to fill UP the enclosure
OF your island. and the leveling of the unsightly
river bluffs below the old Tiber outlet will sup
ply the deficiency. For the enclosing island
wall we shall need nothing more than a ridge
OF stones. gathered into scOws from the river
shore above Georgetown. and dumped on the
river bottom around the line marked out for the
wall. wall of this description. rising only
two feet above our average high tides. can be
made that will last thousand years. First
make your island, and then an inside levee will
protect it from the spring and autumn freshets
OF the river.
Let your Long bridge, and particularly the
causeway. stand until your island will be laid;
Tor otherwise, with the removal Of that cause
way, the deposits of twenty years on those
hats--rillliOns of t0ns-may be carried off in
a single spring freshet.
Having secured our river island l would now
transform it into park, with walks and drives.
ana gardens and shady grooves. with picnic
paviliOnsNnd base ball grounds; with a grand
aquarium of fresh water fishes and collection
OF all the ducks OF the river; with bath and
boat houses and fishing boats and swimming
pools In the pure water Of the south channel.
And would make this park, with all its ap-
pointments. the property of the city and a
source of revenue. lessenng our general taxa
tIon from small fee Of admission to the park
and its enjoyments. These suggestions YOUR
memOrialist would respectfully submit to the
consideration of Nh Ransom and his commit
tee in charge Of this most important subject
touching the enlargement of the general at
fractions, with the promotion OF the health and
prosperity of our beautiful city.
Washington, Dec. IA, 1881. G.. B.W.
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Concerning Funeral Flowers.
To the Editor of The EyENiNG STAR:
Permit me to occupy space enough in your