National Republican., 1882-11-27
oApTAlN HoxIE,s REPORT.
Expenditures and EstInates-Revisiop OF
Asaessments-Water suppIy.

".
report 10 the Engineer Commissioner, Major
Lydecker, giving an account Of the operations for
the year ending June 80, 1882. He states tho ex-
penditures for that year to have been sl71 ,379s9
while the appropriations for the current fiscal
year am ount to slSl065. and the estimates for the
succeeding year ending June 3O 1884, are placed
at Sl76o25. He ascribes the rather slow payment
OF assessments for special improvements to the
hope of still further concessions INDUCED in by
delinquents expecting further favorable Congress
sional action and consequent reductions. He re-
fers to the method by which the revision OF the
special assessments has been pursued, and says
that tho revision OF the special tax has been COM
pleted with resulting loss to the District of Co.
lumbin OF 81, ,357 1iSG2, and delinquent interest at
10 per cent. dating back from FIVE TO ten years. In
giving detailed statement OF the condition Of the
Improvement fund the report says that the only
danger to be apprehended is the further reduction
OF the tax and the issue Of more drawbacks.
THE DISTRICT WATER SUPPLY.
The water supply of Washington aud Georgetown
has been literally provided for by the act OF Con-
gress approved July 10, 1882, which appropriates
u 4s5 1880 for the completion of the dam at Great
Falls. the construction of a suitable aqueduct
from distributing reservoir 10 point on the high
grounds above boundary, near Sixth street ex-
tended, and the construction at this point OF an
additional reservoir. When this work shall have
been completed the water famine must cease for
many years. The report then refers TO the present
condition of the wafer supply, and the incon.
yentenee experienced on ne more elevated
must for the present provide themselves with
tanks or suitable receptacles TO contain the water
When the Rock Creek reservoir shall have been
constructed. following naturally the liberal sup
ply now projected, 1t will probably be found ex-
pedient to divert fair proportion OF the Potomac
by continued tunnel and canal into the valley OF
Rock Creek, to find Its way through tn Rock
Creek reservoir to the city. II will be cheaper
and peasauter than any hyglenic enterprise pred;
icated upon parsimOny of water. II is suggested
that as the expenditure is ordinarily amply Sc
cured by the tax which is levied upon adjoining
property, Congress be asked to authorize the use
of the general receipts of the District of Columbia
for this purpose when necessary, the amount ex-
pended TO be repaid from the proceeds Of the tax
THE SEWERAGE SYSTEM
limited appropriation for the maintenance
aud extension of the sewerage system has been
available during the last fiscal year II has been
necessary TO continue the permit system" for the
extension of the sewers-a very unfair but una
voiiable means of eking out Il slender appropri-
alton. The old sewers of Georgetown and Wash
ing'on are rapidly falling into condition OF de-
sive repairs. 1t is suggested that as soon as the
| rotten wood pavement shall have been replaced
and the necessity for this heavy drain upon the
revenues shall cease, the annual appropriations
for maintenance and repairs Of sewers should be
greatly increased.
SEWER WORK IN PROGRESS.
Work upon the Boundary intercepting storm
sewer is progressing at three points under many
contractors. The progress is unquestionly slow
The first or outlet section, twenty-five feet in
feet in diameter is nearly completed, only fifty
feet of invert and eighty-one feet of arch now re-
naming to be constructed. OF the third section
twenty feet In diameter, 900 lneal feet have beer
constructed On the fourth section twenty feet In
diameter beginning has hardly been effected
| only 100 feet OF sewer being now completed. Ii
ALL 5000 ineal feet of this ntercepting sewer have
| been completed.
THE REPORT CLOSES AS FOLLOWS:
" In my last annual report were considered two
questions seriously affecting the commercial ant
| sanitary interests of the District of Columbia
the reclamation of the Potpmoc fats with the in
cidental prolongation ofthe main sewers of Wash.
ington 10 deep water of the Potomac, and tht
placing underground Of the various steam railroad
| tracks now upon the surface of the streets. The
| reclamation OF the fats having been undertaken
pursuant to the appropriation of 100000 for thi
| purpose, under the direction of the engineer de
parlment of the Army, this important feature O
the sewerage of Washington is now provided for
The steam railroad tracks still continue to incon
venience the people of Washington and to obstruc
| the growth and improvement of the city. 1t wal
estimated that 81, 1856 s24.09 would be required L
carry out the plan proposed for putting these road
underground and On yiaducts out of the way OF til,
city traffic 1t is 10 be hoped tn at in whatever wa!
| THIS object shall be attained, no temporizinl
| scheme may he permitted to intervene and post
| pone Its accomplishment"
|