National Republican., 1883-11-13
WORK ON THE FLATS.
Report Of Maj, Hains Of the Opera
tons During Last Month.
What VIII Probably he Done During the
Month OF November.

Mai. Peter c. Hams in charge Of the
work Of improving the harbors of Washing
ton and Georgetown and the Potomac flats,
submitted his report of operations for tho
month Of October, and probable operations
for the present month, to Gen. Wright yes
terdny. The report states that tho work OF
dredging tho Georgetown channel, and de-
posting tho material on tho Potomac flats,
has steadily progressed during the month un-
der the contract with z. Sanford Ross Tho
same number of dredEes have been kept OH
the work as during last month. The amount
Of material deposited on the flats was 12S,707
cubic yards about one half on section /, above
the sewer canal, and the other half on section
8, below Long bridge. This amount of ma
terial is sufficient TO raise about thirteen acres
of the marshes in front of the city to grade
Of six feet above low tide or three feet above
high tide, and consequently above overflow
except in times Of great freshets. Tho
material is of tho same general char
acter, consisting Ofmud. sand, and some gravel.
The deposit during tho past month has, on
section !, been along the line of the second
tramway. The fourth line of tramway has
been commenced, and more than half of the
piles driven. The high marsh grass that
covers tho flats during the summer inter-
fcrcd to some extent with the free flow of
material when dumped from the tramway.
This is now rapidly disappearing, much to
the qualification of the contractor
The work under tho contract made July
10, 1883 with John Van Patten for dredging
along the limo of the face of the area TO be re-
claimed, and depostlng the material behind
it, so ms to form an embankment about fifty
feet wide, was not commenced Mt the time
required by his contract, and there being no
prospect of 1t being commenced within
reasonable time, the contractor was notified
thn fni lnI Of Ia fnrt nd
that the work would be rclet. Advertise
ments were accordingly issued calling for
proposals to be opened on Nov. 9, 1883 1t is
intended to hold the bondsmen to q strict &C.
countability for the failure.
Work on filling few acres near Easby's
point under contract with Thomas L. Morgan
was begun Oct. 4, 1883, and has progressed
slowly, owing partly to wet weather and the
delays incident to the preliminary operations
of laying tramway and putting on it the
necessary rolling stock. Mr.. Morgan has
now got his tramway in operation and works
it along with carts. The material comes
from that part of Twenty-fifth street near
the observatory that is above grade, and from
lot between Twenty-tifth and Twenty-sixth
streets.
The work of removing the rocks which
comprise the upper group, opposite George
town, will be continued during the month
until completed, which, it is expected, will be
about the tenth instant The apparatus will
then 60 to the other group, near the west end
of G street.
Work on tho flats, under the contracts with
Mr.. Ross and Mr.. Morgan will be continued.
Bids will be opened for dredging along and in
front of the line of the slope wall, the mate
rial being deposited behind it, SO as to form
an embankment not less than fifty feet wide
and six feet high.
The total number of government employees
on tho above work, and for which Mai. Hains
accounts is 43, viz Assistant engineer 1;
clerk, l; inspectors and subinspectors, 8; over
seer, l; engineer of steam launch mattress
makers, 2 rodmen, 2 watchmen, and 2G
laborers 1t requires monthly, for the pay.
ment of their salaries. ST. 465.37.