Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-11-30
Congress embodying their views on this i'm
portant subject.

Congress embodying their views on this i'm
portant subject.
SUNDAY LAW.
The Commissioners recently had occasion to
pass upon the complaint of citizen that the work
OF constructing street railway was prosecuted
on Sunday. An examination Of the statutes
hibiting such employment The Commits
sioners believe that secular occupations should
not be allowed on Sunday and they recorn-
mend the enactment Of a law In accordance
with that sentiment.
WATER DEPARTMENT.
During the year total length Of 81 $50 feet
Of cast-iron pipe was laid varying in size from
8 to "a inches in diameter This is about three
times the aggregate laid during the preceding
year and exceeds the number of feet laid in
any year since 1872.
The Hth-street main, which now affords
fairly satisfactory pressures TO Southwest Wash
lngton. was completed at an expense of S27.-
OATS. Under existing law this entire sum is
chargeable against the water revenue of the
current year. which will cause great inconven-
fence by preventing the laying of service
mains where they have been applied for. 1t is
very desirable that the law should be modified
SO that half this cost may be charged against
the water revenues of 1891.
The fixed charges for interest and sinking
fund now aggregate somewhat more than one
Ialf the annual income of the water fund
from all sources. With all these obligations
the water department will be able to do little
more than maintain and keep in repair the ex-
listing system OF distribution. Legislation is
urgently needed to relieve the water depar tment
OF these fixed charges so that it may under
take necessary improvements and extensions.
Inc commissioners renew the RECOMMENDED
ton submitted in their last annual report that
they be empowered by legislation to lay mains
order of otar-, -,
tax as IN their discretion may best meet the
needs OF the public service.
The operations of the water department dur
Ing the year are given in detail in the report of
Capt. James L. Lusk, corps of engineers, which
Is appended hereto.
SEWERAGE.
The modern part of the sewer system sue
cessfally endured the severe Il ials of the heavy
spring rain falls. The unusual amount of
material washed into the large sewers and the
James Creek canal produced flooding during
the summer. The accumuations were re-
moved so far as possible as soon as funds became
available.
About 10000 feet of old pipe sewers should be
replaced as soon as funds become available.
ms work Is even more necessary than the ex-
tension of the sewer system, since many
obstructed sewers are in densely populated dis
trlcts where the drainage is defective
The appropriation for the preparation of
plans for sewage disposal, made in the appro-
prlatlon act of 1889, could not be wholly ex-
pended during the last fiscal year. for reasons
fully stated in Capt. Lusk's report. About one
half remained unexpended. and under the de-
cision of the accounting officers had to be
covered into the Treasury. The plans and
estimates are therefore delayed and their
scope much limited. Fortunately, board of
eminent civil and sanitary engineers, appointed
by the President, is now engaged in studying
the Whole sewerage question. and the disposal
OF sewage will be necessarily included in its in
vestlgation.
STREET LIGHTING.
The number of gas lamps in service at the
end OF the fiscal year 4,9i1. The number
OF new lamps lighted during the year was 49,
The temporary use of oil lamps in localities
where gas mains have not vet been laid has
been continued with satisfactory results The
total number employed was ia. The NUM-
efpai ightlnS east of Rock creek has been
maintained IN a highly satisfactory manner.
The municipal electric arc lights are now all
operated by underground conductors in accord
ance with law. The number now employed is
Iol. 1t should be increased to 203, for reas ons
stated in Capt. Lusk's report.
INSPECTOR OF GAS AND METERS.
This officer has performed his duties eff
cienty during the year. The details of his work
Will be found n his report, which is appended
hereto.
SURVEY OF THE DISTRICT.
The rainy weather of the spring and early
summer so greatly retarded the outdoor work
that 1t VIII be impossible to complete this sur
vey during the current fiscal year The super-
lntencent OF the coast and geodetic survey,
under whose direction the work is executed
estimates that $40, 900 will complete the original
project and make good beginning on that
portion OF the old District which was receded
to Virginia.
INSPECTOR OF ASPHALT AND cEMENrs
The report of this officer contains valuable
and interesting details of tests and analyses of
materials of construction. and water from wells
springs, reservoirs and mains. A systematic
course Of tests of dement's has been instituted
winch VIII insure greSter regularity in the
quality of these materials.
STREET PAYMENTS.
During the past year the payements laid
have consisted of granite block, asphalt on btu
minous base, asphalt on hydraulic base, coal
tar distillate and asphalt block. Only a few
squares OF the coal tar distillate have been laid
as 1t Is not considered as satisfactory as the as
phalt pavement. The experiment of LAYING
sheet pavement on old rubble or cobbie as a
base has been tried with apparent success. If
1t proves satisfactory after extended trial it
Will result In a large saving to the District
The nature, distribution and cost of the va
rious street improvements made during the
year and the schedule Of streets to be improved
during the current year, selected by the former
board OF Commissioners, are given in detail in
Capt Symons' report.
A change has also been made in the method
OF grading and regulating streets, which will
also result in great saving. Heretofore this
work mas consisted in the construction of a
sidewalk, curb, gutter and gravel roadway.
The curb is now temporarily omitted and for
the gravel roadway macadam roadway is SUBJ
stituted of such grade and form as to make il a
proper base for future asphalt surface. The
expense of construction is not increased and a
better temporary roadway is obtained, while
the cost of the permanent pavement is much
diminished.
The schedule Of streets recommended for i'm
provement has beer prepared with great care
and after thorough consideration Upon the
recommendation Of the engineer department
the general schedule has been abolished. The
total amount recommended for appropriation
is 1854, 450. This amount has been divided
among the different sections of the District
after due consideration of the taxable yaIua-
tions, areas, population andareas of streets not
finally improved. In selecting streets for inn
provement those streets have been given the
preference which were in the schedule of last
year, but which were not improved because
the appropriation was insufficient. The scbed-
ule finally adopted is appended to this report.
PERMIT SYSTEM
Under the appropriation for hermit xvorl