Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-04-17

GOVERNMENT WILL INCUR LOSS IF THE WORK
Is STOPPED.
The contemplated reclamation of the Potomac
flats will result in the addition of one-fifth to
the present area OF Washington city; that is,
taking together the reclaimed land, the pro-
posed tidal reservoir and the river channels
The improvement will be over three and {. half
miles in length and from three-fourths to one
and One-eighth miles in width, covering an
area of land reclaimed Of seven hundred acres
The kidwell claim, which is at present SUBJ
jecS OF discussion, comprises only about 40
acres, being about all eighth of a mile in width
by five-eghths of a mile in length. 1t is stu
ated on section l of the proposed improve
ment, which section has already been
present, the work having beenScom menced at
Easbys point and continued that far down the
river. The proposed work will not have the re-
hottest connection with that section upon
which the kidwell claim is located, and upon
which all the other claims are situated The
entire area OF Section is less than hundred
acres, beginning at Easby's point and termi-
mating al the sewer canal. at the foot OF 18th
street.
extends to Long bridge, and this section will
contain the proposed tidal reservoir, in ended
10 flush the Washington channel below L ng
bridge. This section comprises about two hun
dred and fifty acres.
Section 3 lies between the Washington and
Virginia channels, below Long BRIDGE and
extends from the bridge to point below the
junction Of the Navy Yard channel with the
Washington channel, comprising a little less
All OF the above data is taken from the
official maps aud diagrams prepared by Col.
Hams, the engineer officer in charge Of the
work OF Improvement. 1t is contemplated to
close up section 2, with the exception Of a gate
way, which will furnish water for the tidal res
ervoir To be constructed on that section, The
Washington channel will be closed at Long
bridge, with the exception of another gateway
which will allow the flushing of the closed
mol nv fhat a
the work now stands section 2 is entirely open.
and high water PUSHES over this section and de.
Washington channel, below Long bridge where
comparatively still water is first reached. If
section two Is allowed to remain as il is at pre-
sent the washington channel. which has al
ready been dredged, will be filled with mud
and debris every time there is high water, and
the partially reclaimed land will be washed
away. IL Is Impossible TO close up section two
as is intended eventually, because the Virginia
channel has not yet been dredged to such a
OFT high water.
FOR THE SAFETY OF THE WORK DONE.
1t Is claimed that for the safety OF the work
done up to the present time it is absolutely
necessary to continue the dredging OF the vir-
ginia channel until section and the Washing
leave section 2 open as 1t is now would ruin the
improvement already made in that Vicinity
and render the large expenditure already made
A FALSE ASSUMPTION.
1t has been urged in Congress that claims of
riparian ownership may be asserted on section
2pecause of the change Of the shore line. This
would be impossible, for the title of all the pres
ent shore land from the sewer canal to the
Long bridge vests In the government without
question. 1t is impossible for any similar
claim on section TO arise, because the
channel Is brought close to the wharves which
form the present shore line.
The only possible claim is for land in section
one, and ali the work contemplated on that
section at present is completed as stated above.
~ the House amendments OF Senate bill 355
1t would seem to be the disposition of the House
Of Representatives to interfere with vested
rights in existing lawful contracts thereby rem
dering the government liable to far greater
claims for damages arising therefrom than the
claims TO kidwell bottoms, or any other land
claims that may arise. The Acting Attorney
General has already given an official opinion
That by the continuance OF the work as cintem.
plated no possible damages to the govern
ment would ensue. -
MARRIAGE LICRNsxs - Marriage licenses
have been issued BY the clerk O the court 70
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