Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-11-30


Virginia shore had settled. a considerable por-
ton of the lower masonry of the pier having
been carried away. The cavity was filled with
qrick-setting Portland cement concrete, the
work being done by divers under the direct
supervision of Mr. c. b. Hunt, civil engineer.
Finally $50 tons of rip-rsp were placed about
the pier. 1t has stopped settling and is believed
to be as good as ever.
The wooiley Lane bridge over Rock Creek.
Tor which $4,000 was appropriated by Congress
last year. has been completed under very adj
vantageous contract with the Groton bridge
company.
STREET RAILWAYS.
A provision in the last appropriation act
authorized the street railway companies to sub
stitute for horses other motive power. under
certain conditions. and required them to in tro-
duce modern grooved rails within a fixed
period. This has had an excellent effect. The
washington and Georgetown railroad company
mas now under construction a frst-class cable
road on 9TH street from the arsenal 10 the
boundary. The company has also replaced the
Ola center-bearlng strlnger rails with grooved
girder rails on Pennsylvania avenue from LIST
to 18th streets, and 18th street from Pennsyl-
wanna avenue to New York avenue On April
~, 1889, the Commissioners adopted an order
prohibiting the laying of cobble-stone pave
ments between rails or tracks on any street
paved or ordered to be paved. and required
Belgian blocks or, in lieu thereof. concrete
modern practice.
The electric street railway of the lexington
and Soldiers Home company has proved a very
decided success. Up to the present time no
satisfactory underground electric railway sys-
tenn Inns been introduced. and the Commission
ers are OF the opinion that of all the existing
systems the center-pole system. such as is used
by this company, which removes the conductors
from the vicinity OF trees and footways. is
safest and most satisfactory. Wherever over
head wires are employed this arrangement
should be insisted upon. both for safety and
appearance, except when the carriageway has
not sufficient width.
The Tenleytown railway, which is now
under construction. will be operated by cleo
trlclty npon the same system as the lexington
road.
STEAM RAILROADS.
The Commissioners again invite attention to
the unsettled condition of affairs with respect
to steam railroads. The rapid growth of the
city renders increased facilities necessary for
the transaction of railway business. and the de-
struction of the Chesapeake and Ohio canal has
thrown heavy additional burden upon the
railroads. 1t is urged that some general plan
should be adopted at an early day TO regulate
the granting OF further necessary extensions
and privileges and to protect the interests of
the people.
THE PARKING COMMISSION.
their replacement by wire netting where
needed have been continued. The business Of
caring for the trees and planting new ones has
dom and ability. The work of the commission
is given IN detail in its report, which is ap-
pended hereto.
SURVEYORS OFFICE
This Office is supported by fees. which in the
aggregate are not sufficient to pay expenses
and properly preserve the records. The latter
which are of great value, are old and becoming
much worn from constant use by title search
ers: They should be copied, indexed aud care
fully preserved.
The Commissioners believe it to be greatly
IN the public interest that the surveyor should
be made saaried officer of the District. the
expenses Of his Office to be provided for by
regular Appropriation and the fees collected to
De turned into the general revenues The
once could thus be properly provided for and
maintained as an Office of record. As the
existing system is established by law new
legislation Is necessary for the proposed
changes.
BOARD OF EXAMINERS OF STEAM ENGINEERS
This board has performed its duties up TO the
present time without compensation. The Com
miSsioners have renewed the estimate sub
mitted last year to compensate the board. to
record ITS transactions and TO provide necessary
stationery.
The act of February 2S, 1887, under which
this board performs its duties, should be 80
amended as to provide for its enforcement
when its requirements are not complied with.
Inc labors OF the board have been of great
value, but with an amended law much more
satisfactory results can be obtained.
ROCK CREEK PARK.
The project for the establishment of public
park in the valley of Rock creek has been
brought to the attention of Congress many
times during the past twenty years. The Ioca-
tion referred to is most admirably adapted to
TINS purpose and the Commissioners recon-
mend that provision be made without DELAY 10
secure the necessary ground before the diff
Guilty and expense thereof is greatly increased
by the subdivision of the region. A commence
ment OF this much desired work has been al
ready authorized by provision in the appro-
priation act of 1889 establishing geological
park In the country along Rock creek. but the
commissioners are OF the opinion that the in
terests of the public require that this project
should be much extended. They earnestly rec
ommend the passage of the bill introduced in
the House of Representatives by Mr.. Hemphill
January IA, 1889 (Thirtieth Congress second
session, d. L., 1856, or some similar legisla-
ton.
ROCK GREER TUNNEL.
The project for the construction of a tunnel
in the valley of Rock creek between LYONS
mill and Pennsylvania avenue has been repeat
eddy recommended to Congress by the District
government The Commissioners renew this
Recommendation, as they consider the work
proposed of great importance and value to the
cities OF Washington and Georgetown.
UNDERGROUND WIRES
During the year preceding November /, 1899,
the United States electric lighting company
placed under ground IA miles of arc light con-
ductor. During the same period the Chesa-
peake and Potomac telephone company in
creased its mileage of underground conductor
by 1872 miles, while the Postal Telegraph cable
company constructed new underground con-
duit from 14th and streets northwest along
I street to 9th and Boundary streets, and re-
newed Its conduit along l4th street west with
its connections.
1t is suggested that the telegraph companies
be given one year to place all their wires under
ground and that after the lapse of this time
they be required to pay a license fee of S25 per
annum for each pole maintained within the city
limits.
Very respectfully.
j. W. DOUGLASS,
l.. g. HINE,
CHARLES w. RAYMOND,
Commissioners District of Columbia