Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-10-01


fron the rest OF the city by the tracks OF the Bat
more and Ohio. II is not possible or practicapie
the presence OF the railroads IL is only POSSIBLE
to relieve them OF their most obnoxious features
KLEcTRIc WIRES.
'During the past year the electric wires OF Wash
ingtou used in telegraph, telephone and electric
lighting service have been the subject OF the most
devoted attention from Congress, the people OF the
city and the pubnc press Ii mas been the aim OF
this ONCE TO restrain the growth OF the overhead
wire system In every way possible, consistent with
proper service to the public. An irrepressipie con.
ct Is going on all over the country against over
head wires In the city streets, and the will OF the
people Is that they must be buried, and buried
overhead is absolutely stopped. such investiga-
ton as have been able TO make convinces me
that there Is no practical difficulty In burying all
these wires and maintaining the services at a
higher state OF efficiency, as far, at least as the
head wires. The most dangerous, unsigntly and
obnoxious OF all the wires are those used for cleo.
tric lighting, both arc lighting under a high
much lower, can be maintained In Underground
conduitS in the most perfect and efficient manner
beyond the shadow of DOUBT. Science and i'm
proved appliances have overcome all difficulties
which previously existed and rendered previous
trials failures. There are companies who stand
ready TO enter into the most binding contracts to
light the city and carry on the business OF electric
lighting wholly by an underground system OF
wires, and at prices as cheap or cheaper than
those exacted by the existing electric light COM
pany. BY the provisions OF the current appropria-
ton bill II was impossible to open the business Of
puonc electric lighting TO competition. The bury
Ing OF telegraph lines Will probably interfere to
certain ex, eDt with some OF the more refined and
profitable systems OF telegraphy. but the Affairs
Justed to the new condition Of things The tese-
phone company operating in the District has
ALREADY buried large part OF its wires and hnds
no ulmculty In doing so, and has for its aim TO
bury all It's wires AT the earliest date possible As
Congress has required a report from the Commits
sioners as to the best method Of removing all
avenues, and alleys, and the best method OF inter-
ring the same under ground &C., and as this report
u being made the subject OF personal tnvestiga-
ton by you 1t Is not deemed proper for me to say
anything further on the subject Duriug the year
S76 ieet OF underground telegraph cable was laid
and nre-aarm service.
or the emergency fund Of 5000 s1,212.31 was
expended by the engineer department 10 build the
retaining wall at Potomac street and the Chesa-
peake and OHIO Canal This wall developed sert-
GUS cracks and became dangerous, and its repair
became necessary.
PROPERTY YARDS NEEDED
"In conducting the engineering work Of the Dis
tr1ct there Is absolute necessity for storage
grounds In various sections. New materials as
curb, granite blocks, asphalt blocks and tiles,
sewer sewer pipe, water pipe, cement, sand. broken
and cared Tor until used. Old material taken from
one street has to be stored and worked over MT
IL u, I9 M. use In some other location. Most
ana cannot be hauled long distances without great
expense. Hitherto convenient storage GROUNDS
nave been found In unimproved public parks and
streets, but the growth OF the city renders it no
longer possible " Use these without interfering
WIN private and public interests. l have there
lore Inc honor to recommend that property ards
De secured by purchase In different portions OF the
CITY. There should be one in the southern part OF
the city, somewhere near South Capitol street, one
In the northeast, somewhere near the line OF the
rallroad, and one In the northwest, near Rock
Creek the property purchased should be the
cheapest OOtainable which is suitable. l recon.
mend that the sum OF $4,000 be appropriated TO
purchase these prOperty-yards.
PROPERTY DIVISION.
Notwithstanding the nominal transfer of the
property division to another branch OF the District
government the engineer department has, as here
tofore, been compelled to make all specifications
and contracts for material used In the department,
and furnish men to receive inspect store and care
Tor IL and issue IT, great deal OF annoy vance has
resulted from the fact OF the property division
being n0minally under one head, while for all
matters pertaining To engineering material 1t is
practically under another. would therefore re-
commend that this division be restored to the en-
gineer department, where it has been ever since
the organization OF the present District govern
ment until It's transfer last winter.
DISTRICT STABLE.
In conducting the business OF the District gov
ernment large amount Of transportation is
needed Many Of the horses are owned by the
District, some are owned by the employees OF the
District, but fed by the District, and some are
hired, the District does not own stable in
u.
quence many OF them are kept at livery at large
expense, while others are quartered in sheds at
the sand lot and pumpins station. With the
growth OF the city the numOer OF these horses
must continually increase. 1t Is beyond question
that IL would be matter OF economy for The Dis
trict TO own stable sufficient In capacity to
shelter the animals required in its service
have, therefore, to recommend that an appropria-
zion De asked, and secured II possible, to enable a
stable to be built. l would furthermore recon-
| mend that II such action be necessary Congress
authorize It's erection On part or the square OF
ground now used for wholesale market purposes.
square, and 1t is very centrally located An appro-
prlatfon OF $l5, 600 Is asked.
THE LIE DROIr PARK PROBLEM
Ever since have been connected with District
affairs, and for long time before, LeDrOit Park
has been thorn In the side OF District officials
1t throws itself across the northern front or the
city from about the location OF "a street west to
It'd street west, and compelS every body to 90
around 1t, for0idding all attempts to make thor
Oughtare through IL. All this, Notwithstanding
the TACT thai beyond the park live hundreds Of in
dustriOus people. The residents OF the park want
city Improvements, like water, sewer and lighting
facilities, and get them in many cases. but on
din rent terms Than are imposed ON other portions
OF the District. These things produce many annoy
Ing complications. The streets Of The park do not
coincide with any proper plan for the extension of
the city, but, In my opinion, the time has gone by
when he advantages Of STRENGTHENING them out
owing 10 the number OF houses that would be de-
stroyed or have 70 be moved. Besides this the
stand in the way OF a complete extension OF the
city streets In the vicinity OF the park and rregu-
larites and faults In the streets have not sucn
serious consequences as they would have were
the city at full liberty to extend its rectangular
system over all the adjacent country. Under
all the circumstances l think IL would
be the wisest policy TO accept and adopt
these streets as part Of the city streets
and extend the same control and Jurisdiction over
them that Is exercised over ali other parts OF the
city, This is particularly the with the streets
running north and south, which should be opened
up for the benefit OF the public There are certain
residents OF the park who object 10 this and ir
would probably be desirable and expedite the
matter, Therefore, TO resort 10 condemnation pro-
ceedings TO obtain control OF the Streets This
would be merely formal and would lead 10 no ex-
penSe 10 the District, as there Is, believe no per-
SON or persons who could give cle4r title TO the
streets, and receive any condemnation money
were any awarded by jury.
Parking COMMISSION
Appropriation for 1875. $4,000 90
EApcuucU... 1886 "a
The following Is the statement OF WORK done
trees planted, &C.:
Number Of trees In streets July l. 1887 "a Ola
Number planted during nscal year lSS7-S 26S3
49, Iotai .;........... ..................65 .647
Old, decayed, and dangerous trees re-
moScu. ........... $50
Total number now nm sfroots a. n,o