Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-01-26
OF THE POTOMAC
FLATS.


STRONG RECOMMENDATIONS IN FAVOR OF rnx WORK.
Mr.. Neai from the committee on the District OF
Columbia, submitted the following important re-
port to-day:
The bill provides an adequate plan for the recla-
nation OF what Is known as the " Potomac fats"
anu the conversion OF what is fact but little
more than pestiience breeding, death producing
swamp into magnificent park. which will stiii
further beautify and adorn the capital of this na-
ton, and Will greatly tend to make Washington
what 1t should be- the most beautiful and magnif
cent city upon the continent OF America.
Your committee hardly feel called upon to set
forth with any elaboration the great necessity or
this grand work. This has been FULLY discussed by
the enlightened press OF the country, which, with
out dis sent so far as We are advised, ScOrning the
miserable plea OF Its expense, have united In not
only commenting, but really in demanding at the
hands or Congress that the work shall be CON-
menced without unnecessary delay and vigorously
prosecuted until fully completed.
. Influenced by the same spirit which has actuated
the press and the enlightened and public spirited
people OF this country, your committee have at
TINS early day, reported the bill IN question In or
der that the whole matter may be presented to
Congress at so early date In the session that no
excuse viii avail for not acting upon the same ex-
coping unwillfngness and indispOsition upon the
ing discharged our duty, now place the full re.
Sponsibilty Of further action.
Your committee have not undertaken to present
any particular scheme for the prosecution of this
work. ANY plan, however much 1t might meet
the approval OF this committee, would be liable to
ceived In the interest OF some particular Individual
OF corporation, and would necessarily throw more
OF less suspicion not only upon the plan ITSELF but
advocate 1t. On the contrary, We have removed
every possibility OF Jobbing and every reasonable
which We commend to the careful consideration of
every member OF this House.
1he 'r'o.e sro'E Is placed in charge or the Sec
retd,u OF War. The responsibility is left with
MIN 10 determine how Ii shall be accomplished:
TO devise scheme, to mature the plan, and to see
to 1t that the work is done accordingly. For this
purpose the sum OF one million OF dollars Is appro
priated, which is all and perhaps more than can
be profta ply expended during the next fiscal year
From the best estimates we have been able to OBJ
tain, the outside cost OF the work will be not over
four thousand dollars per acre. The area that will
making the Whole sum necessary for the compile,
ton or the enterprise about two and one-half
millions OF dollars-a mere bagatelie to this Won
drouSly rich and prosperous nation. and ought not
to cause single member to hesitate in the dis
charge OF his duty in this, regard, no matter how
spects, or how critically he may examine appro-
priation bills in general AS a commercial ven-
Judgment of enterprisang men and Capitalists of
the country. There is no manner OF doubt but
that the land reclaimed would, II sold out, pay all
the costs OF reclamation and leave q handsome
balance In the hands OF parties who might under
take it as the reward OF their sagacions labors
take it II the government win give them a good
title to the area reclaimed. This, however would
In our opinion be very shOrt-sighted policy upon
the part OF this Congress, as by every considera-
ton OF public utility the lands reclaimed should
belong TO the government, to be hereafter dis
posed Of, as the wisdom Of Congress may deter |
mine. The part OF the Potomac river recurring
immediate attention Is that lying along the city |
front from Observatory hill and extending some
distance below the Long Bridge. This area is in |
the summer time a continuous and pestilential
swamp. Twice each twenty-four hours IL Is COW
cred by tide water. During the summer a rank |
sun and the Overlooking by the tide breeds a /
deadly mfasma, which spreads itself ali over the |
low-yfng portions OF the city. and produces the /
diseases which afiict the people and bring death /
to many household. Il is this cause more than |!
all Others that compels the residents OF /
heat and causes well informed persons an over the
country to avoid 1t during that season as they |
would the pess house. Verify the pestilence |
harvest and devastating the human family, TIRE
spective OF rank or condition Ia life.
Members Of this House who have been members