Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-11-23
Our S,rerrs and Ronds.

The annual reports 81 the District engineer Off
GERS are always I00Sed FOR with interest not only
by citizens OF Washington, but by municipal au-
th0TttieS and others In all parts OF the country
who have herrI or the wonderful progress made
In the way 81 improving and beautifying the na-
t;onaI city and want To get practical information
how the thing has been done. The annual report
OF Lieutenant Greene To Engineer Commissioner
Lydecker, given elsewhere, supplies an interest
ing budget Of data upon the streets and roads OF
the DlstriCt,-the matters under his immediate
charge. II appears from his report that during
the past year, during years previous, n cOnsi1-
cradle portion OF re expenditure Of the streets has
been for the rep&. ment OF the worthless wooden
pavements. During the present fiscal year about
1t5,000 yards VIII be replaced with durable pave
ments, and 900 yards have been temporarily re-
paired With gravel, leaving 10000 yards (slx
niles "a IN imp bic condition at the beginning
OF the next fiscal year. The estimates for that
year contemplate the lcenent OF 104 square
yards, 50 that there will still remain consider
able portion o: this rotten wool TO be replaced
during the 5year ending June 30th 1885, T. e.. seven
years from thr time the work was begun In 1873
The amount OF WOODEN pavement originally laid
covered more than fifty miles and cost over 81 600
O0l One-third Of the expense was charged to the
AUDITING property, IN addition TO the general
taxes. The replacement has been paid for from
the current revenues, without special assessor nt
She amount OF S1,,214 This Included granite block
pavemeHts on portions or IL street and Virginia
avenue, in the south western section of the city,
asphalt Payements portions OF Vermont av-
enue aud 13rl street. IN the northwest, the grading
OF portions Of New York avenue northeast, and
18th and 2l streets northwest, and the opening OF
South Capitol street through to the river. Not
withStandinG the fact that there is considerable
TO be done get In the way OF paving, 1t appears
that on July 1st. 1892 there 126 miles of we'll
paved streets, OF which about nifty miles were con-
crete pavements. This places Washington far
ahead OF any other city in the world in the extent
o. smo0thly-payed streets, suitable for pleasure
driving ami ordinary travel.
The experience OF some years In quest
OF the best paving system FOR the require
mAnts Of Washington has shown that the
asphalt, AMI the granite block, with tar cemented
joints, are tn TWO payements best adapted TO the
conditions existing IN this city, The asphalt is
adopted on streets where the travel Is uniformly
distributed ana the grade not tso steeD and the
granite BLOCK on streets OF heavy business travel,
or steep grade.
Attention IS called to the unsatisfactory COndi-
ton OF the law regarding the lighting OF the
streets, which limits the number OF hours during
which the lamps may be lighted at 1900 per
annum; an average OF six hours only per night
This law was baSee; upon the now obsolete idea OF
e1tlnguishtng the lamps during moonlight, or on
hiSAt NHeh a moon Is supposed TO be In the
heavens, whether II Is obScured or not Lieut.
Greene Is right IN thinking that Washington is
Dc enough 70 abandon the moonlight schedules"
as all the larger cities OF the country have DONE
AMI light the streets when they need it. regardless
OF a suppOsti0uS moon.
Nertte1 praise is given to the work OF the park
M commission which has supplied the city with
o',666 thrifty trees, shading 1870 miles OF streets.
Aconsiderable portion OF the report Is devoted to
the question o. steam railroads here and the evils
resulting from their present mode of running
within the city limits. 1t IS suggested that the
Commissioners recommend TO Congress the enact
nent OF q law iOrbidling the running of trains IN
the present route OF the Baltimore and Ohio road
In disregard or the grades of the streets, after
certain date; giving that company the option OF
coming around Capitol Hill. or under 1t, on any
one OF the three routes specified; also repeal
1ng the act which granted the Baltimore and Poto-
mae road the right 10 cross the park ON the line
or 9th street, bat otherwise confirming the pre-
sent route OF that road; and compelling the i'm
mediate enforcement OF the requirements specified
along the surface roads, yiZ the fencing In OF the
tracks, the placing OF automatic gates at street
Crossings, and the cessation OF the practice OF
making freight depot and car yard on the ave-
nueS.