Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-04-26
rHE RIVER FLATS IMPROVEMENT.
Damages That Might Follow a Suspen.
sion Of the Work.

MAJ HAMS POINTS OUT THE ERROR OF THE
HOUSE, AMENDMENT-THE KIpwEII, CLAIM
NOT INVOLVED IN THE WORK IMMEDIATELY
CONTEMPLATED.
The letter of Major Hams, now in the hands
of Senator Edmunds. explaining the condi-
ton of the Potomac Flats Improvement, gave
as stated in Saturdays STAR. a full explanation
of the various contracts and the work done.
Alter referring TO the contracts with the
present contractors, Messrs Benson 4 McNee,
the letter said 'the first and only other large
contract for the same kind of work on this inn
provement was let under the act of August =,
, nSSa, ior IL cents Eer cubic yard, whereas
the work, as above stated, is being done for
from 12.3 to 1915 cents per cubic yard-prices
much less than the original estimates.
THE KIDwELL CLAIM.
The amendments made to the bill by the
House OF Representatives appear to have been
made under the impression that the work, so
far as 1t relates to filling on the flats, was being
fats bs the kd%e paehs and %
claims for riparian rights-that is, on section
one, as above described. But such is not the
attention. Under the first contract the dredging
is In the Washington channel, solely for the
benefit of navigation. and the deposit is on
section three of the flats (below Long bridge), on
which, as already stated, there can be no
claims adverse to the title and interest OF the
United States, these flats having always been
under water. Under the third contract the
dredging now In progress is in the Virginia
channel, below Long bridge, and the deposit is
u,
seventies of the dredging under the contract, is
10 be done in the tidal reservoir on section
tWo' ana and net the deposit made in front
owned by the United States), and where the
flats have always been covered at low tide. On
the second contract about 4OO, 900 cubic yards
of dredging from the Virginia channel (above
Long BRIDGE is to be placed on section 2, next
to and above Long bridge, where there can be
contract to deposit about 100000 cubic yards
In section one. OF this amount only about
other words. out of ZOO 900 cubic wards of
dredging called for by these three contracts
only 600. 900 cubic yards were to be placed on
that section of the flats which included or was
adjacent to the kidwell or other claims. OF
this 100000 cubic yards only one-half has been
SO deposited, and if further deposit on this sec
ton be deemed inadviSable by Congress an
other place of deposit could, under the contract
and specifications, be designated by the engi-
neerS II there were funds on hand to prepare a
place of deposit by building embankments.
DAMAGE LIKELY TO FOLLOW A SUSPENSION.
Should operations in this improvement be
suspended great damage to the work in its in
complete state must inevitably result; the par
TALLY dredged channel would be filled in by
freshets. Especially would the Washington
channel and the Virginia channel above long
bridge suffer in this respect shown by the
results of the freshets of the last winter The
entertainments and the fill already made in sec
lions and 3 are, as yet, unprotected by the
slope wall, and during high freshets the material
would be swept away into the channels, from
which it must be redredged at increased cost.
In 1882, when the work was begun, the fill
ing was made on section one because the dis
charge from the 18th street sewer had spread
over these flats which were exposed at every
low tide, making them a source of disease to
that portion OF the city adjacent thereto; and
it was essential that they should be filled first
so that the freshetS would not sweep over them
and damage the work to be done below them.
Section one has now been filled for the most
part to an average of about six feet above low
tide, and with comparatively little work in the
way of protecting what has been done, might
be left while the remaining sections below the
sewer canal are being worked on. These Sec
tiOns OF the flats comprise about 600 acres of a
total of $50 acres, and as there are no claims
here adverse TO the title of the United States
work upon them can be continued with
economy and advantage to the United States,
not only under the existing appropriation but
under future appropriations This, 1 take it,
originally passed the Senate.
ANOTHER EFFECT OF THE HOUSE AMENDMENT.
would call your attention to another adverse
effect of the House amendment. 1t prohibits
any expenditure whatever under the appropri-
alton; not only would work under the contracts
be suspended, but the Immediate discharge
of all inspectors and other employees on the
work would be necessary. The entire organiza-
ton of men whose experience and familiarity
with its details would be of great value i'm future
operations must be disbanded, and the final
measurements of the work already done could
not be made. I could not even employ a
Waterman to protect the public property in my
charge now stored on the work or afloat IN the
river"