Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-02-24
Water supply ON Capitol Hill.

To the Editor OF THE EVENING STAR:
The recent discussion in The STAR on the
question of water supply for this District re-
wives old recoilections and awakens new inter.
est. In his report to Major Twining Of Novem-
Der Is, 1873 Lieut.. Hoxie states that on the 9th
day OF May 1878 he had informed the Commits
sioners that 'for present purposes pump cap
able Of lifting 100000 gallons 1873 feet in "a
hours may be located near the corner OF 18th
and streets northwest, on the line of the L.
inch main. with stand-pipe Of sufficient capa-
city to constitute small reservoir saw 12O OOO
gallons on Meridian Hill, to be connected with
Capitol Hill by small independent main" And
he adds: ut was decided to create this smaller
high service district, and work is now progress
ing upon the stand-p and pumps"
This Ia what appears In relation to the origin
and object Of the stand-pipe. Nothing appears
to show at whose instance this information was
furnished or by what authority or by whose
order the work thereon was then already In
progress, and have seen nothing since show.
Ing the cost OF the said stand-pipe and it's work
ing appendages or apparatus and fixtures, OF
explaining the means by which funds were &C.
cured and applied for the purpose.
=. While lien Captain Phelps is up, perhaps
and I'LL in the wanting links in the chain of its
history. If the Commissioners had authority to
erect the stand-pipe, Of course they had author
fty to connect 1t with the section for the bene-
ut OF which 1t was fntended;a land the supposition
Ahot Oh ofMy OuCcI vi tuc COTpS OI engineers
could proceed to incur large expense for q
reservoir and pumps with which to ill 1t with
water. without the requisite means to make il
available for the projected purpose of its cree
ton, surpasses credibility.. But such seems to
have been the fact; and Water Registrar Cox, Ia
his report OF the same month In which Lieut.
Hoxie reported the work as then progressing
upon the stand-pipe and pumps" remarked. ii
would further recommend that 12-inch main
be laid to connect Capitol Hill with the stand.
pipe. which can be done at an estimated cost oil
$500" Therefore, seemingly to correct this
remarkable oversight Of the District authorities
and to rescue the projected improvement Of the
water supply on Capitol Hill from absolute
failure, Congress at its first session thereafter
by act Of June 10th. 1879, enacted ''That the SEQ
rotary OF the Treasury be, and he hereby is
directed to advance to said Commissioners the
sum OF $25, 900, to be reimbursed by payment
into the Treasury of the United States, until
said sum Is paid in full, of all collections Of
water main taxes now due said District
and the money 80 advanced shall be expended
to improve the water supply on Capitol Hill.
This all occurred during the terms OF service o.
Capt. Phelps, as District Commissioner Yet
Capitol Hill received nothing from eaid stand
pipe but detriment and injustice, with increased
taxation, while the nice residence Of said Com.
missioner on Iowa Circle, which was In course
OF erection at the same time, got the benefit
which, as you report Capt Phelps In Tine 6rAI
admirably" =
OF the $25. 600 appropriated as aforesaid. ont,
the sum Of six hundred and forty-seven dollar
and twenty-eight cents (e647.28) was eve
drawn from the treasury, and that was paid 4
private citizen towards an engine and fixture,
for pumping the water into the higher stories o
his one block Of buildings, 70 the DISADVANTAGE
In some degree Of every other water-taker or
Capitol Hin. The residue Of SAID appropriation
ga. $50. 72-has already iapsed back into th,
United States Treasury. Respectfully.
8. C. CIARKI