Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-03-23


AGES OF THE CONDUIT PLAN.
The report on the extension OF the water-works
system or the District, printed in yesterday STAR,
was prepared by Senator Harris, who, as former
chairman of the Senate District committee and
now chairman OF the subcommittee on water
works, has studied the subject OF water supply for
the District in all its phases Therefore the report
naturally and properly commends much respect
and attention, especially In the Senate IL is
generally conceded that the water supply should be
increased. and Senator Harris believes in extend
Ing the works in such manner as TO meet all de-
mands upon them for many years to come A
STAR reporter remarked TO the Senator to-day that
one objection that had been made TO the proposed
extension OF the works was that il imposed all the
expenses or the improvement upon the govern
ment He replied that there was 40 ether way TO
make the improvements; that the government Is
absolute owner OF the works ana some OF the
mains; that the dam, conduit, reservoir and all
that supplies the volume OF water belongs to the
government. actually and absolutely; that is one
part OF the works and the service pipes: another
part were laid by and belong to the district He
said the government had expended S5.O00O00
in these works and would rot OF course, plrt with
any interest I'm them. Therefore. II would he unfair
to tax the people of the District of Columbia to
raise money TO invest IN an improvement In
which they could have no title or proprietary in
terest Construct on or purchase should give the
right OF ownership; but for the District 10 construct
an enlargement OF the water works would give ft
no such right. The government built the works
and authorizes the District government TO lay pipes
and serve water 10 the citizens This water is TO
be served free of charge but the District is author
lZed 10 levy water tax sufficient to pay the ey-
pense of laying and maintaining service pipes, the
government using all the water IL requires free of
cost The law limits this water tax 10 the actual
coSt OF laying and maintaining the service pipes
senator Harris thinks 1t is a plain proposition
that the government should bear all the expense
OF Improving its own works. He said that the
reason for recommending an extension of the con-
dtilt, instead of adopting Col Casey'plan OF lay
ing main, was that 10y the former elevation of
lao feet above data would be attained. while By
the Casey plan the altitude would be only rs feet:
and that by the extension OF the conduit the water
would come in greater volume, and therefore with
Increased head than if broken by arriving through
the main several miles; that, in short, the extern
sion OF the conduit is to attain higher level and
increased head
The Senator said further that he had been
induced TO select the location out 9th street eX-
tended as the point TO which the conduit should
run, rather than the spot at 10th and Boundary
ural basin, admirably adapted to the construction
OF reservoir; that reservoir Of immense capacity
Will have 10 be constructed either now or at no
distant day, and money would be saved by extend
Ing the conduit half mile further. I'm order to
utilize this natural basin. BY the plan for the
extension or the conduit. supply OF water greater
by about twenty-Six million gallons per day will
be obtained than by the Casey plan OF running
mains.
The Senator said that the plan involved the
extension or the dam at Great Falls across Conns
island TO the Virginia shore and the Raising OF the
dam along its entire length fourteen ana two
tenthS inches higher than at present. In raising
the dam, to prevent flooding the canal, an expense
OF S12,SO would be necessary.
The Great Falls manufacturing company, char
tered some thirty years ago by the Virginia egis-
lature and recently rechartered, claim the owner
ship OF COnnS island and other grounds about the
dam, and riparian Interests in the river
there This company has claims for damages
against the government for the use OF
certain grounds on which part of the
dam rests and for its interest in the water con-
suIned since construction or the works. Ii claims
1t appears that the diversion OF the water into the
water works 1nterfered with or injured the plans
of the company, and a suit for damages is now
pending in the Supreme Court. Gen B. F. Butter
who represents the Great Falls manufacturing
company and is said to be chief owner thereof,ap-
peared before Senator Harris committee the other
day on oehafof the company oferad TO cede all the
the dam; to abandon all claims for past damages
and to allow the use OF all water needed for ali
time TO come, for a cash payment OF $65. 600. He
declared to the committee that the conlpany's
title to the ground claimed is perfect, and offered
TO refer that point to the Attorney General
Senator Harris has laborei earnestly in behalf
OF such an enlargement OF the water works as is
needed by this rapidySrowing city, and he feels
hopeful now of success