Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-08-18
The Potomac Flats improvements.

SKETCH OF MAJOR HAMS, THE OFFICER IN CHARGE
PoRTANCg, ETC.
A STAR reporter this morning met Major Peter
c. Hams. the officer OF the engineer CORPS who is
to have charge of the important work of reclaim
| ing the Potomac fats He is apparently not over
thirty-fve years Of age, OF medium height, has
bright blue eyes, short, well-kept blonde beard
| and wears his hair cut close. He bears quite
striking likeness to the late Major Twining. His
general appearance isvery pleasing and although
one would think that the important work before
him would be rather he avy for such young man.
yet Inquiries among officers OF the engineer corps
develops the fact tnat he is regarded by those we
acquainted with his abilities and the important
works he has already performed as one OF the most
competent officers or the service, ana that he was
selected for this duty solely On account Of his
qualifications
WHAT MAJOR HAMS SAYS ABOUT THE WORK
Being asked by THE STAR man what preliminary
steps he would take before entering actively upon
the work, Major Hams replied: 81 MT know any
more about 1t than that am here, and that l am
assigned to the work, and that will push it vigor
at the flats, nor have examined the river and
harbOr bill. The first thing to be decided is
taking further steps to secure title to the Kid
well meadows. That matter, you know, is in the
hands OF the Attorney General In a week or two
nope 10 De able to say just what am going to do
and how will go about it., but as yet it would be
impossible to make any statements about 1t for 1
really don't know what have to do
Being asked as TO what assistance would be
given him, and whether one more officers OF the
engineer corps would be detailed his assistants,
he replied that he could not say, the officers
that corps are we'll supplied with work, and IL is q
question whether any can be spared for this addi-
t1onal duty.
The same inquiry made of Gen. Wright, chief OF
engineers, was met with similar reply.
CIVILIAN HELP NEEDED
Major HainS said further that no doubt assist
ance from civilians would be needed and that a
number OF applications for duty on the work had
already been made to him.. 1t has been generally
supposed that S. T. Albert, who has had charge of
the work OF Improvement OF the harbors of Wash
ington and Georgetown will also have work as
signed him On this new improvement, and there is
no reason now to suppose otherwise, unless the
other works that Mr.. Albert is still engaged upon
are enough TO preclude his being detailed for this
duty.
WORK ON THE LOWER POTOMAC STILL IN CHARGE OF
MR. ALERT.
Major Hains relieves Col. Albert only of the work
on the Washington and Georgetown harbors, and
leaves him in charge of the following works: The
Improvement Of the harbor Of Breton Bay, Leon
ardtoWn; the improvements at the entrance OF St
Jerome creek, Md; the improvements OF the
rivers Rappahannock, Chfckahominie, Mattaponi,
TGtuSky, York, POmuSky, Staunton. Va, Roanoke
ana Freach Broad, NC, and Dan river VI. and
NC; tho channel OF the Potomac river through
the flats at the landing In front OF Mount Vernon
Major Hams fully-realiZeS the vast importance OF
the work to which he is assigned. and intends to
bring it to a grand success.
Major Hams spent the greater part Of today I'm
accompanied him from Fortress Monroe, ami they
Will IKE their home here. Major III tinS Is well
known here, having been stationed here as N tn-
ber OF the light house board.