Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-04-19
CITY AND DISTRICT
n BAH Providing an Appropriation Tor
the Work sent 90 Congress-

The District Commissioners have addressed a
letter to Chairman Hemphil. Of the House District
committee, inciosing a bill providing Tor an ap-
preparation OF $4,000 70 make the tunnel and
other improvements by which Il IS proposed TO de-
feet the course OF Rock Greek at Lyons NILS so as
to reclaim large area In their letter the Com
m:ssioners say:
.The Commissioners OF the District OF columbia
have the honor 20 submit for your consideration
the draft OF a bill providing for the improvement
OF Rock Geek a stream which sep rates me cities
OF Washington AMI GEORGETOWN during the past
year this Improvement was the subject OF petl-
trct, anu Accordingly the Commissioners mad the
honor invite attention 70 10 IN their last annual
report and 10 submit preliminary project for the
work.
.The general features OF the projected improve
aent are shown upon the accompanying sketch
Ii Is proposed to defect the waters OF the creek
through tunnel or tunnels along the line OF 18th
street extended, from point near yon's
NIL 70 point at or near street. and II IL further
contemplated TO cover the bed OF the creek with
an arch or arches from the point last mentioned
70 the south line OF Pennsylvania avenue. The
cons ructiODs having been competed, the old
creek bed can be Oiled IN and the streets can be
extended 10 embankment Thus the valley can
ultimately be brought to the grade OF the sur
tine dement's which will result from the execu-
ton OF this project are obvious the existing
and Georgetown q. do not furnish adequate comInu-
nications between the two cities. heavy ex-
penditure viii be required In the near future 70
the imperative requirements OF transportation.
The nlnng in OF the valley OF Rock Greek Will Iur
nish compete communication and save the ex-
psnse OF RECONSTRUCTION, repair, and main enance
Of bridges for all future time IL will further re-
claim large amount OF territory now OF little or
no value and render II subject TO a greatly
Increased rate Of taxation. Incidentally, this Inn
prcvement will furnish ample and greatly-needed
dumping ground for grading In nelghboriDg par >
or the District, and II will enable the serious Ques-
tiOn OF the sewage pollution OF the creek 70 be
treated In a satisfactory manner.
engineering hat
been pronounced entirely feasible. There are.
however, some interesting questions regarding
the details OF the work which hardly be de-
cided until further Investigations and measure
mentS have been made. In order that the work
manner the Commissioners nave. upon the sugges-
ton OF the Engineer Commissioner, embodied IN
the bill provision that the plan or the work shall
De subject 10 the approval or board OF Officers OF
the Corps OF Engineers, 10 be designated by the
Secretary OF War, and they believe that this pro-
vision VIII insure the adoption OF tue best and
cheapest method OF construction
tine amount appropriated In the bill Is estimated
70 cover all expenses OF construction the exten-
sion OF the streets, and such condemnation OF
properties, lands rights. or interests as the plan
adopted oy the board may require"
THE BILL
The inclosed bill directs the Commissioners "to
receive and convey the waters OF Rock Creek
from near Lyons Mills along and under 25th street
ito be extendedD the south line OF o street west
and an archway or arcnways from the southern
enc OF said tunnel or tunnels in, along the
DPQ OF sal1 hOck creek. 10 the southern line or
Pennsylvania avenue: Provided, that no expen-
dttuTe shall be made under The provisions or this
act until the plan or said work has been approved
by a ooard OF Al least three Officers OF the Corps OF
Engineers OF the United states Army, 10 be Geslg-
nated by the secretary OF War, except such ex-
p6rdituTes may be necessary for surveys inves-
legations and preparation OF the plan and for the
expenses CT tnr board Aforesaid: Ind proVided
further, that the work herein provided for, any
part thereof, may De done by contract or other
WISE as may, in the opinion OF the Commissioners
OF the District, De most economical and advan-
tageous lOr the Government"
The bill authorizes tue extension OF 18th street
northward TO the left bank OF said creek and
north street westward. SO as TO connect with
Gay and Dumbarton streets Provision Is made
Tor the Necessary COMBINATIONS or land accord
ing 70 the usual plan An appropriation OF
$3.50 600 Is made 10 carry out the provisions or the
bill. ana provides for advertising the work IN
Washington, Boston, New YORK, Philadelphia
Baltimore, Chicago, st. Louis, Detroit, Cleveland
Cincinnati and Richmond
Fifty per cent OF the appropriation shall be
charged against the District, and IL Is provided
THAT one-han OF any unexpended balances or ap-
propriatlOns heretofore made Tor the support OF
the government OF the District OF Columbia, and
any amounts Of money In excess OF appropriations
Which have been deposited by the District In the
Treasury or the UnlIed states may be applied by
the Commissioners 10 the liquidation OF the
amounts so charged 10 the District, and any ex-
cess OF money required TO be charged 10 the Dis
80 applied shall DC advanced by the United states
and De reimbursed with interest at tue rate OF 4
per cent per annum 10 the United states by the
District IN annual instalmenLs OF not less than
$4,000, commencing with the fiscal year ending
June 30, 1859"