Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-10-17


streets about the public squares &C., DC.
A careful balancing Of the foregoing per.
centages and considerations and Q personal
knowledge Of the streets gained by driving
constantly over the various sections convinces
me that an arbitrary apportionment which viii
be justice to all would be about - follows:
Georgetown. .....................lO per Gems
NortnwesS. ...............!....'.
south vest. ......................E
Soutneast ........................ . .
NoftneaU .-..................... ~
recommend that this be adopted for the
present years estimates"
IMPROVING ALLEYS.
The report urges an appropriation Of $780,
600 for permit work, under which head the cur
rent appropriation 10 e125,0O0. The incrssse il
asked in part to enable tho Commissioners to
improve alleys with water supply, sewers and
pavemsnts necessary to keep them in good san
itary condition. Money is needed, too. under
this head to provide for improved sidewalks.
For the purpose Of laying improved sidewalks
about the parks and in front of public build
lngs ne asks a special appropriation Of $4,000.
de asks an appropriation Of S75, 900 for current
repairs to streets, avenues and alleys, an in
crease OF $4,000 over the present appropria-
Symons says, it has been found impossible to do
everything in a satisfactory manner.
THE CITY sIDEwALKs.
"Ths roadway pavements of Washington" the
report goes on, ''are beyond question unsur-
passed in any city Of the world but the same can
not be said Of the sidewalks Bricks properly laid
on bed OF porous sand and gravel form Q
fairly good sidewalk. This, costing, az it does,
less than half Of any other equally sa.isfac tory
sidewalk yet devised, is suitable for newly-im-
proved streets, and see no present necessity
or probability of changing it for any other.
But brick sidewalks are not suitable for streets
In the heart OF the city which are thorough
fares or thickly or handsomely built up.
For these streets some other sidewalks
should be devised and adopted. and when
ever the existing brick sidewalks shall be-
come WORKOUT or need replacing from any
cause 1t should be obligatory to replace with one
better and more satisfactory. 1t will be we'll
II thoroughly satisfactory foot pavement can
be obtained at reasonable cost to gradually re-
move all the old brick pavements in the thickly
and finely built up portions of the city and
substitute new Ones great deal of thought
has been bestowed upon the subject Of improv-
ing the sidewalks of the city which, in many
instances are diapidated, unsightly, uncom-
Portable to walk over and dangerous. Under
the present appropriation bill for permit work
considerable portion of the money has been
reserved to lay improved sidewalks, and orders
have been issued to lay them where needed on
7th 9th. streets and Louisiana avenue, within
certain limits.
Besides the asphalt tile and asphalt block
sidewalks, which have been laid for some years,
a new sidewalk has been devised, consisting Ut
artificial stone blocks IL inches square laid on
bed Of sand and gravel and in some instances
on bed OF concrete. contract has been let
for the manufacture of a quantity of these
blocks to carry the experiment out on q large
scale. Wherever laid these blocks present
hne appearance and give good satisfaction.
But, in all probability, the step which bids fair
to have the greatest influence on the improve
ment of the sidewalks OF Washington is the con-
tract which has been entered into for the con-
struction OF asphalt sidewalks in streets wher-
ever ordered, using mainly therefor the asphalt
surface taken from Pennsylvania avenue and
elsewhere.
Tho price for the sidewalk named in the con-
tract IL II per square yard. If the experiment
proves as successful and satisfactory as is an
tcipated the result will be that the city will be
provided with very excellent, handsome, dura-
is believed that this asphalt sidewalk and the
artificial stone block sidewalk previously men
toned will be the principal walks hereafter
laid in place OF the old brick walks"
REsURFACINo STREETS.
The report asks an appropriation Of else, 900
for repairs to concrete pavements, S100, 900 to
be expended on streets needing rssurfacing.
Large increases are asked in the estimates for
constructing county roads and suburban streets
and for repairs to county roads. In this con-
nection the report says: Nowhere in the Dis
trict is there a good road where last horses can
be speeded with safety and propriety. There
are many lovers Of good horses who would be
delighted to have such q road and it would
seem proper to look after their wishes in the
improvement OF some suburban streets. Some
wide streets or avenues might be selected and
laid of with sidewalk and paved roadway on
each side and a dirt road for speeding in the
middle. Such roads are recognized and main
tanned in most cities and tend to develop fine
horses and turnouts which always add so largely
In ha hpanfv att ofo o,fv "
An appropriation of $4,000 is asked for the
condemnation Of streets, avenues and alleys.
BRIDGES.
An increase Of from 81, 500 to $1,000 is asked
for Ordinary care Of bridges in order to pay
the salary Of competent man skilled in bridge
construction as general superintendent of
bridges, and to pay for lighting the Woodley
Lane bridge and the old Benning bridge"
After referring to the damage done to the
bridges by the heavy floods of June the report
recommends the construction of an iron bridge
on the present abutments and piers Of the old
Pierce mill bridge at q cost, including ap-
proaches, Of $12, 900. He recommends an APP
preparation Of SS5, 900 to 50 change the Ana
costa bridge as to accommodate the travel and
to secure it from the danger of being washed
away in times Of food The changes proposed
are:
1. That the bridge be raised 10 feet or more
vertically, and the roads and streets leading to
1t be adjusted to its new grade.
2. That the bridge be doubled in width by
taking the six eastern spans and putting them
beside the six western spans and constructing
new draw-span which will form with the
present draw-span continuous passageway
through the bridge whenever necessary.
g. That an embankment be constructed in
place Of the six spans removed from the east
ern part OF the bridge. This embankment can
be given the necessary slope to reach the grade
Of the bridge. The water Of the river, where
it would be constructed, is very shallow.
The height of the bridge above the water,
the report says, would permit the passage Of
nearly everything which would have any oc-
casion to go above the bridge and the draw
would have to be opened but very seldom, but
would be there when required.
1t will be necessary at no distant day to re-
place the old wooden Bennings bridge with an
iron one, placed several feet higher than the
present structure. The iron bridge over Rock
Greek at street would be relieved of strong
element Of danger, Capt. 6ymons thinks, if it
we're raised SO that in times of food floating
canal boats, &C., could 60 under it instead Of
jamming against it.
BRIDGE TO ARLINGTON.
Arguments in favor of the early construction
of the proposed Grant memorial bridge from
the foot of New York avenue across the Poto-
mac to Arlington and Virginia. SAYS the re-
port are ever increasing in number and
strength. He mentions in this connection the
interment Of Gen. Sherid.1n's remains at Ar