Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-08-01
THE WASHINGTON AQUEb.rCT Ex.
TENSION.
Views Of Major Lydccker.

Views OIL MAYOR AH0cCkefs
ADVANTAGES OF THE TUNNEL AND DISADVANTAGES
OF THE SURFACE CONDUIT PLAN OF CONSTRUCTION
SET FoRTH-wHy HIRED LABOR Is PREFERRED TO
THE CONTRACT SYSTEM FOR THE wORK-THE PRO-
POSED NEW RESERVOIR, ETC.
In the beginning OF his report on the water
works extension. an abstract of which was printed
in yesterdays STAR, Major Lydecker quotes the
act authorizing that extension and the plan or
project it presents. Without going into minute
details, the report states that the subject of ex-
tending the aqueduct from its present terminus to
the high ground north OF Washington, where the
new reservoir is to be located has been given most
careful study.
ADVANTAGES OF THE TUNNEL. PLAN SET FORTH.
He submits that 'the construction of a tunnel
from the distributing reservoir to the high ground
named will accomplish the desired object in the
best ana most substantial manner at the least
cost and In the shortest time practicable. There
Is no reasonable doubt that this tunnel Can be car
RED through solid rock in a direct line between
tne I'M terminal points. and with the perfected ma,
become simple piece of engineering work. The
cost and rate of progress would depend almost en-
the degree OF intelligence with which the work is
directed. Based on the known cost OF completed
work OF like character, eight dollars per cubic
mate; it would, in all probability, cost less.
The length of tunnel Will be about Ii 400 feet, re-
curing total excavation, Including shafts, Of
cubic yard the total cost reaches about $500 900,
leaving balance Of the amount appropriated (the
act approprlates s599, ,5s455 for the aqueiuct ex-
tenslon) OF s0 600 available for contingencies such
Tor instance as lining for the tunnel wherever
found necessary. Ii the tunnel can be driven in
solid rock (and every indication favors this as
sumption), it is apparent that we can rely with
certainty upon a continuous progress of the work
OF construction. regardless OF season or weather:
For
pairs. and upon its easy subsequent enlargement
at small expense
OBJECTIONS TO SURFACE COMPUTE.
The only alternative to tunnel would be a sur.
face conduit, which would offer none Of the advan-
tages referred to above while the natural features
would require very considerable increase in its
length In order to avoid excessive excavations and
complicated engineering difficulties, such as
W9ad v,9us fol- follow its direct line Be-
preparation OF a coutinuouSstrlp of land, which
would not be the II the Work is made entirely
In tunnel and it is very doubtful If the land could
be acquired for the sum allotted for that purpose
$51,37O)
'With these views" says Major Lydccker, 81
ma We no hesitation In recommending the adoption
OF the tunnel system, leaving minor details 10 be
determined upon after obtaining the conclusive
data that will be supplied in sinking the initial
Shatt at the site OF the new reservoir. II compact
solid rock is not reached within reasonable limit
the project can be modified before arriving at any
epe that which would have
sufficient to warrant positive solution of the
question.
THE WORK SHOULD BIZ DONE BY HIRED LABOR,
and the purchase OF materials in open market as
that Is the only way In which its rapid and eco
nomical construction can be obtained The char.
acter OF the work is such that its details must N
marked degree be determined during its progress,
and they cannot be intelligently specified before
of speculation would advance a contract to the
highest M probable figures II this way forbddng to
any due to the
the immediate beginning: Of tie work and its &C.
complishment In the shor.t:st possible per1oi and
IN .ne most R perfect mann are opposed to delays
by the risk of getting hnasy an inefficient or ire
sponsible contractor. The work is so extensive
that 1t is doubtful II any competing bidder would
possess the requisite capital, experience and en-
ergy."
THE SITE TOR THE sBw RESERVOIR
is next described-in the depression east of the
grounds OF Howard university and the area to be
procured is 66 acres 1t cannot now be stated
whether the sum appropriated Ia sufficient or not
Nhe sum appropriated Is S5, ,251 In the reservoir,
SO located, the excavation and embankment re-
as pracucable, being approximately 100000 cubic
yards Ihe sum approp1ated x43l 75) is be-
lleved TO be ample. This work will be done by
contract after advertising In tho usual way.
RAISING THE DAN At GR1AT FALLS
Detailed plans for raising and extending the
dam at Great Falls have not yet been prepared
The work will be similar to the present dam and
will be carried on by hired labor and purchases
In open market Consideration of the laying of
mains and making connections necessary to fur
nish an increased supply Of water. and the ques-
tion of the protection OF the Chesapeake & Ohio
canal from damage from overflow by reason of
raising the dam, are deferred for further examlna-
tion. The act requires adequate shways at the dam
and appropriateS $4,000 for their construction.
Plans have not yet been prepared, but arrange
a In IN
be conducted under supervision OF the fish COM
missioner.