Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-10-09

The project OF Major LydecEer for the increased
water supply or Washington-the features OF
which have already been indicated in THE STAR
has been submitted to the Chief of Engineers and
Is approved By him. The work will be undertaken
Immediately Major Lytecker brings TO the per-
Torrance % thia work The advantage OF long
experience in hydraulic engineering, as well
natural qualities OF energy. quick perception and
action, ami selirelilDce, for which he is already
distinguished In his corps. His assistant upon
this WORK Is Capt X. L. Hoxe, Corps of Engineers
The plans contemplate the completion OF the dam
at the Great Falls OF the Potomac across the Viz
ginia channel, for the purpose of securing suffi-
Client head Of water at the upper extremity OF the
present conduit; and the construction OF a con-
tinuouS tunnel from the present distributing
reservoir, near Georgetown, TO the new reservoir
to be constructed east OF Howard University, q
distance OF four miles, for the purpose of bringing
an increased supply OF water to the city from the
distributing reservoir. The latter is the present
! terminus OF the existing conduit from the Great
Falls.
The advantages of this method of procuring
the Increased supply clearly set forth in Major
Lydecker's project. The new reservoir Will cover
about Go acres of grouni, and proposals for Its
construction viii be invited by advertisement as
soon as the detailed specifications can be pre-
pared
IL Is a matter for general concentration that
the water problem Is now 10 be solved Ia q way
that Will ensure adequate supply OF water in all
parts OF the city without resort 10 water meters,
or any pinching economy in its use. The public
Is largely indebted to the Citizens Committee of
One Hundred for the legislation that provides for
this greatly needed work The untlrinC ami intel
llgent labOrS Of senator Harris, in the drec-
ton, also contributed largely To the happy result
To admirers OF the sublime, rather than the
merely picturesque, In scenery. descriptions OF the
~ ~ffb a COFN- do how
traction Maj. Powelrs account OF his adventur-
Gus descent OF the river. i'll the course OF which
dangers and marvellous sights seem to have pre-
sented themselves with about equal frequency, has
given Us a COOL idea of the canon as seen from
below The latest publication OF the geological
survey, monograph respecting the tertiary his
tory OF the grand canon district, by Capt c. E.
Dutton, completes the view by picturing the chasm
from above. At the extremity OF q long promon-
tory juttlng out far into the gulf the surveying
party obtained what is pronounced the most sub
lime and the most awe-insplring spectacle in the
world. The chasm was not at that point narrow
gorge OF immense depth and simple FORM con-
forming TO the common notion OF canon; and 1t
is held that such character would be Inconsistent
with the highest and strongest effects,
since some notable width is necessary
TO enable the eye TO see the full extent
OF the walls The distan ce across the canon was
about seven miles, and the wall on the opposite
side OF the gulf mile in height, deeply recessed
by alcoves and amphitheatres, receded into space
Indefinitely in either direction. A half mile of the
river below was disclosed. A pale, dirty red with
out glimmer or sheen, mott OnleSS surface in
closed in the dark shade OF granite represented a
large stream one hundred and fifty yards wide
with headlong torrent foaming and plungtng
oyerrocky rapids But To appreciate the it is
not enough to obtain eoncep ton of its vast pro-
portions There must then be added some notion
OF its intricate plan the nobility OF its architect
ure, Its colossal buttes, its wealth OF ornamental
ton, the spleldor Of its cOlors and it's wonderful
atmosphere The general public is as much in
debted to Capt Dutton and the artists who accom-
panied him, for pictures, by pen and pencil OF the
most wonderful scenery in the United States as
biologists for the scientific results OF the expe
dition.