Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-08-07
THE RIVER FLATS IMPROVE
MENT.
The Tidal Reservoir rC0ntrAct-Rem0val
OF the Long Bridge Recommended-
Views Of Col. Hains.

E V. Culver Co. OF New York fthe lowest bid
derS will be awarded the contract for dredging
about 600 cubic yards OF material and depositng
II TO form the embankment for the shore line OF the
proposed tidal reservoir CT the Potomac lats 1t Is
expected that the new cont actors will begin op-
efauons In 2 few days, one Of the dredges already
here being used Their bid Is I1x cents per cubic
yard This will be the beginning OF the construc-
t1on or the tidal reservoir, which is intended to
nusn tho Washington channel when 1t is eventually
closed ABOVE Long bridge. It will be some
time before this channel Is closed, on account OF
the preliminary work which Is necessary.
REMOVAL OF TIE LONG BRIDGE TO BE RECOMMENDED.
Col Hams finds the greatest obstacle in the prog
ress OF the work OF improvement to be the Long
bridge and he will shortly make special report to
the Secretary of War. recommending its removal
An order was recently issued by the chief OF en-
gineers calling attention to q clause in the last
river and harbor bill, which requires engineer off,
GERS In charge OF river and harbor improvements
to report to the Secretary Of War all OBJ
staclss to free navigation upon tho waters
will make the report referred to, and through the
Secretary Of War Congress will be informed OF the
oD'tacA.s to the fats improvement, which the
0rldge IN ITS pr sent condition offers. Congress
gave the bridge TO the railroad company under GER
tain conditions; but whether these conditions have
been ulned Or not, Congress retained the right to
amend or alter the law.
VIEWS OF COL HAMS.
"The Long bridge Is not at present an obstacle
to tree navigation, but it will be some day" said
Col Hams, In speaking on the subject '"The piers
are so constructed as 10 prevent the free flow OF
water In the channel and Will cause the deposit OF
dredged, and thereby Obstructtng navigation In
Its present condition 1t Is not only in the way OF
improvement, but unless something Is done with Ii
1t VIII prove dangerous. The fact is am afraid to
close the Washington channel while 1t stands the
way It does now. With that channel closed OF
course greater volume OF water will have 10 pass
lltYh IA ~ Nnin nl,,, Ttn~f fya -
freShet away may go the bridge. That would be
one way Of getting rid OF it. but not the most de-
"Ia your annual report you say that by COM
paratvey small outlay changes could be made In
tue bridge which would lessen the difficulties, do
you not?" asked a STAR reporter.
"Yes," he replied "but that would only partly do
away with the trouble. We might dig out the ma
terial which Is lodged about the piers, and also the
stones which are piled up there to streng hen them
out that would be liable TO endanger the safety OF
the bridge, and during freshet 1t might go down
with train Of cars. The only proper way Of obvi.
ating the difficulty is to remove the bridge AS
understand II, Congress alone has the power to do
IT, Out SHALL be heartily ad when 1t Is done, as II
should be. 1t interteres with the improvement OF
the Oats In more than ono way"
THE RECLAIMED LAND WORTH TIE EXPENSE.
In speaking In general way of the fats improve
ments, Col Hams said: =" The liberal funds for the
prosecution Of the work will enable US to make good
progress, and in another year the dats will be
greatly improved One contract to be awarded
before the end OF this month will require expen
dture Of from 500 900 to $15OOOO, and when it is
completed the 1ats will show some changes OF
note"
"Will the land. when reclaimed be worth the ex-
pense OF reclaiming 1T" asked the reporter.
"There isn't doubt about it." was the reply.
II know that the contractors who have worked on
the fats would be glad to do the whole work for
nothing If they could only own the land when re-
claimed"
The work done on the flats thus far can only be
appreciated from the water. Plenty Of good, solid
land extends into the river where form 'rly there
was nothing but marsh exudlng noxious gases