Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-04-20
THE RIVER IMPROVEMENT.
Evils the City Will Suffer on Account Of
StOppage of the Work.

StOpR0&e Oh the YORK;
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE WORK OF RECLAMA-
TON FROM A SANITARY POINT OF VIEW
NONE OF THE APPROPRIATION ASKED TO BE
EXPENDED ON DISPUTED GROUND.
The improvement of the Potomac river front
Is a matter Of vital interest to every citizen.
1t is calculated to add to the extent and beauty
Of the city, to improve the navi-
CATION of the harbor and to have
material effect upon the sanitary condition OF
the city. 1t appears that there is danger of the
work being permanently suspended, because
there are existing claims to certain portions of
| the area covered by the improvement. All
these claims are located on section /, which lies
between Easby's point and the sewer canal. 1t
Is not intended to do any work upon this section
with the appropriation asked for. The Kidwell
claim covering only about 4S acres a COM para
lively small area, is the most important one; and
glance at the above map, which was prepared
from data in Col. Hams Office, will show that
the proposed work will not have the remotest
connection with section on which the Kid
we'll claim Is located, but will be confined TO
sections and 3.
THE DREDGING OF THE CHANNELS.
It Is absolutely necessary TO continue the
dredging of the Virginia channel until section
and the Washington channel can be perma-
nently closed. To leave section open as 1t is
now would ruin the improvement made in that
vicinity, and render the large expenditure al
ready made worse than useless.
AS all the shore land where work is contem-
plated belongs to the government, 1t is impossi-
Bile for any adverse claims to ownership to
arise. Should Senate bill 335 become a law, as
amended in the House, there would be dam
| ing lawful contracts, thereby rendering the
government liable TO far greater claims for
damages arising than the Claims to
may arise.
Beside the loss which the government would
eventually suffer by such an interference, it
contractors.
have gone to large expense in securing plant
sufficient to do the work satisfactorily. In all
probability, If existing contracts were discon-
| tinued, the government would have to pay
enough In damages through the Court Of
Claims, to allow the work to be continued now
| as originally intended.
THE SANITARY POINT OF VIEW.
The Importance Of the river Improvement
from sanitary point of view overshadows all
| other considerations. and any legislation by
| Congress which impedes the successful progress
| OF the work should merit deserved censure.
Washington has population OF nearly quar-
ter of a million. Each one Of this vast number
/ daily breathes an atmosphere laden with the
noxious gases which are generated from the
| unwholesOme river flats when the wind is from
ent,e etx is now OF almost the
| fats in such manner that Its deadly poison
returns daily TO endanger the lives and health
map. the street sewer, which drains the largest
and most densely.populated portion Of the city,
the s the t
| sion. The sewage has heretofore spread over
| the entire adjacent marsh. This fostering mass,
| under the summer suns, would produce In less
| favored localities an annual plague The work
| now done has partially remedied the evil but
enough remains unfinished to afford ample
| opportunity for the continuance of this
nuisance. with its accompaniment of I'LL health
| and disease.
AS THE CAPITAL CITY,
| Washington is the pride OF the whole country.
It's growth is marvellous. Every year adds
Il mil of dn11
| are without representation in Congress- how
| ever, and hence 1t is the duty of each member
| to legislate for the nations capital that its
| citizens may not feel any injury from want OF
direet representation. After years of patient
waiting the work of reclamation was begun.
/ The expenditure already made has accom-.
/ plished halt the work. AS business enter
prise the government could not afford to stop
the work at this stage, for otherwise it would
have been far better had it never been begun
But beyond all considerations of that character
from the highest official to the humble iaborer
| rightly demand that this work shall proceed 10
completion with all convenient speed.
THE COMING SUMNER.
The summer Is approaching rapidly The
prevalent winds during the hot season are
from the west and southwest, thus coming
| across this fostering mass Of sewage over upon
the most thickly populated portion Of the city
Shall our citizens be compelled to see this great
work abandoned when malt completed-to be
recommended at some Indefinite time in the
Il
atmosphere polluted In this way during the
most trying period Of the year? We do not be
lieve majority of either house OF Congress de
| sire this. The generous fairness of the Ameri
| can people is well represented in the halls OF
Congress, and 1t Is not believed that fair
| minded men in either house desire to SO pun
ISM the Inhabitants Of q great city, although
! they may be disenfranchised citizens having
having no political value.
THE PROPOSED PLAN
OF Improvement will remove the only caus.
which lenders Washington subject to mias
matte diseases. 1t will be, as it should, a SAT-
and agreeable resort for the American peopl,
| ut all seasons. The area reclaimed will give n,
| pleasure park which no city of the size and
| Importance of Washington should be without
l 1t will be accessible TO all. The rich and moo
| may alike enjoy its pleasures and its Dement'S
ANY effort TO postpone these multiplied benefit,
| should be condemned by q common uprisin9 a
| the people and q united demand for the visor
| Gus prosecution OF the work.
. TALK WITH COL. HAMS
Col. Hams when asked by q STAR reporter Ia,
his opinion as to the necessity for continuinr
the work upon the river front said: HIt woulc
not be proper for me to criticise in any way thu
action or contemplated action OF Congress IN
THIS matter. ! am In charge Of the work by
virtue OF my position as an officer OF the enginee
corps. II Is my duty TO prosecute the work 4.
vigorously as possible, II the necessary fund,
for 50 doing are available and TO drop the Wort
entirely Ii 1t IL so decreed. The work Is omen
however, TO inspection, and q personal exam
t1natioo Of what has been done. aus