The Evening critic., 1882-10-17
THE EVENING CRITIC.
EsTA pLIsHED AUoUsT 1868.
OUR WATER SUPPLY.

Major Lydecker's Preliminary Re-
port - The Tunnel Plan RECON-
cnded-Prospective Cost of the
Worh-The Majors Plan Endorsed
by General Wright.
General Wright, Chief OF Engineers, has sub.
mitted the preliminary project by Major G.. j.
Lydocker, for carrying Into effect the require
monts Of tho act OF Congress July Is, 1882, for
increasing tho water supply OF Washington.
twill be seen from the letter OF General
for extending tho Washington Aqueduct by
tunneling be Professionally approved, and that
Major Lydecker BIO authorized TO sink addi-
tionnl shafts TO ascertain the character OF tho
underlying materials, and that tho question
OF the manner OF executing the work on the
tunnel remain In allegiance for the present.
Hon. RoJert Y. Lincoln, Secretary Of War.
SIR: Ihave the honor to submit herewith n
preliminary project presented by Major q. J.
Lydeckor, Corps of Engineers, for carrying
Into effect the requirements OF the act OF July
10, 1852, for increasing the water supply OF
In this project Major Lydeckor explains
what has been done In the way OF surveys and
examinations and makes recommendations as
TO the order In which the various operations
should be undertaken and the manner OF
carrying them Out The portion OF the project
which, however, now requires action Is that
relating TO the new conduit forming the OK
tension OF the Aqueduct from the present re-
colving reservoir TO the now reservoir pro-
yded for In tho act.
tunnel running In nearly straight line from
tho eastern end Of tho present Aqueduct to
the new reservoir and passing under the bed
OF Rock Creek wherc the line crosses that
stream. The reasons assigned by him for pre-
ferrIDg the tunnel to u surface conduit seem
to be satisfactory, provided further examlna-
tions sustain his present opinion that solid
rock will be found generally along tho line.
He also recommends that this portion OF tho
project be carried out by hired labor and not
by contract, giving strong reasons for the
preference, yeti am not satisfied that the work
should be dono In this way. All the acts OF
Congress IL relation to public works look to
thcir execution by contract when practicable,
and II Is hoped that specifications may bo so
drawn ms to clearly cover all the details OF
work and enable contractors to bid under
standingly. 1t is not necessary, however, that
this point be definitely decided now and 1t
may, therefore, be deferred till more definite
information regarding tho character and ma
tortals through which the tunnel Is to pass has
been received.
therefore recommend that tho project for
extending the Washington Aqueduct by tun-
nelling be Professionally approved Its final
adoption to depend on further examinations
confirming the present opinion that solid rock
line; that Major Lydecker bo authorized to
sink one or moro trial shafts for tho purpose
of ascertaining the character of tho tindorly-
Ing materials, and that tho question OF the
manner OF executing the work on the tunnel,
whether hired labor or by contract, remain In
allegiance for the present.
preliminary sketch showing the proposed
route of the aqueduct extension, with longi-
tudinal section along the same, Is herewith
submitted
Very respectfully, your obedlent serv ant,
IT, a. WRIGHT.