Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-12-11
A MILLION FOR STREETS.
The Advance Ask ed From CONGRESS-

WHAT COMMISSIONER EDMONDS SAYS AS TO
THE CONTEMPLATED IMPROVEMENTS.
The action of the District Commissioners in
asking Congress for an advance OF one million
of dollars for improvement of the streets and
avenues is attracting considerable attention
among our citizens at this time, and appears to
meet with favor from the business men of the
District.
President Edmonds, of the board of Commits
sloiier-. in reply to II STAR reporters inquiry as
to what particular streets and avenues the Com
missioners have in view and the charact l. Of
the improvements they propose to make in the
event Congress grants their request, said that
tn" commissioners have as yet no schedule of
Congress may do. lie could say, however, in a
general way that the purpose was to extend the
pavements further out 10 Boundary street
wherever it Is found necessary. There are, he
said, many blocks of good houses erected on
streets the past year or two which are almost
inaccessible from the bad condition of
be taxed, b but they desire ns the ne
improvements necessary to make their invest
ments profitable, and TO accommodate the ten
ants. These improvements must be cared for.
AS to the character of the work cOnteIn lla ted,
it will be just such work as has been going on
mere iOr years-suriace work principally, and
within the city limits. 1t is not contemplated
going outside of Boundary street.
We have had an advance already from Con-
gress Of S5OO,OOO for the sewers, which has
been expended, to the entire satisfaction OF the
Commissioners, and with good results; and we
have provided for the payment OF that loan in
one years time when we had the privilege
oil five y ears, and still have surplus of $1OU-
900 to our credit in the Treasury. The Com
lnissiOners feel confident OF the ability of the
District to repay II loan Of one million OF dol
lars i'll five years and maybe in three years
time if desired by the government. BY hav-
ing this money to eNpend on street con tracts
the Commissioners can make much more add
vantageous terms and get Il much larger pro-
portion of service from contractors than by
doing out smaller sums annually for the I'M
prOvement OF these streets. This is found to be
the case rom experience. Where there is a
heavy expenditure to be made competition is
sharper and more contractors become inter.
eSted.
The sewers are generally in good condition,
and with the exception of some small ones
needed, not much VIII have to be done in that
direction. There will have TO be many lateraIs
connected with the mains all over the District.
There are whole streets of new houses, built up
especially III the northwest and northeast sec
tions OF the city, which are suffering Tor street
improvements. The owners are entitled TO
them in other localities, and it is the part OF
wisdom to accommodate them. Intelligent and
wealthy citizens from all the states are seeking
for homes in this city, aud this will probably he
the case for years to come. Our beautifully i'm
proved streets Is one OF the principal attractions
which draw them.s Business enterprises are
also increasing rapidly, and are crowded into
new streets daily and appear to be OF q perma-
neut character.