Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-12-01

been agitated in the District for more than
twenty years, has by the action at the last ses-
SION OF Congress become a fixed fact and the
preliminary work TO take possession of the
land has been begun. Under the law this work
Is intrusted to a commission composed OF per-
sons outside Of the board Of District Commits
sioners except the Engineer Commissioner
As soon as this work, however is done the park
is to be In the hands Of a board composed of
| the chief OF engineers, United States army and
| the board Of District Commissioners.
ROCK CREEK TUNNEL
The Commissioners desire 10 renew their
recommendation for the construction of a
tunnel in the valley of Rock creek, between
Lyons mill and Pennsylvania avenue. as has
been repeatedly recommended TO Congress
| and the filling in Of the low portions of the
ground between the cities Of Washington and
Georgetown.
UNpERaRoUND WIRES.
There has been considerable activity in
getting the overhead wires under ground in
the streets and avenues, the wires to remain
overhead in alleys for distributing purposes
During the last session Of Congress it was di-
rected that board should be appointed to take
up the consideration Of undergo ound electrical
conduits and report rs to the best methods 10
be used in the District. This board has not
vet convened and the results Of its delibera-
tions are awaited by the Commissioners in the
hope that this important matter may be salts
factorily settled.
WATER DEPARTMENT.
The year under consideration was a notable
| one, owing to the completion of the 4S-inch
main. This work, authorized by the act APP
proved March 2. 1899, was pushed TO compile
| ton with great rapidity by the officers having
| 1t In charge. The line was so far completed on
March 20, 1880. that on that day a bountiful
| supply of water was delivered 10 Capitol Hill
| rsf in hat
date other mains have been laid by the officer
| in charge Of the Washington aqueduct. with a
view to securing the best results from the adj
ditional supply. by breaking up the long lines
OF small mains hitherto laid by the United
States or the District The general result is
, very satisfactory, and the Commissioners take
pleasure In congratulating the citizens on the
present excellent condition of the water supply.
Lieut.. Col. Elliot, corps of engineers, the Off
Ger in charge OF the Washington aqueduct, sub
mits estimates for the radical improvement of
| the receiving reservoir. As the capacity of
| this reservoir il badly needed to afford addi-
t1onal time for the water to settle before its dis
tribution, and also to store a reserve supply as
provision against an accident 20 the conduit,
| the Commissioners indorse Col. Elliot's recon-
| mendation and trust that funds may soon be
found available for improving this reservoir.
water main twelve inches in diameter Is
now under construction TO Mount Pleasant. II
| is hoped that before next spring a small tenn
porary main may be laid TO Anacostia by way
| Of the Navy Yard bridge.
At Its last session Congress empowered the
Commissioners to order the laying Of water
| mains and to erect fire plugs and public
hydrants wherever necessary for the public
safety, comfort or health. This legislation will
yearly prove OF great advantage to thousands
| OF citizens. During the year a total length of
4o. 44S feet OF cast iron pipe was laid, varying
| IN sizes from three TO six inches in diameter.
| The operations OF the water department during
| the year are given in detail in the accompany
| ing report Of Capt. James L. Lusk, corps of
| engineers.
The sewer system was extended as rapidly as
the available funds would permit, and large
aggregate length of old and obstructed wer was
| replaced. The excessive rainfalls of 1889 rem
dered 1t necessary to make larger expendi-
lures than usual for cleaning sewers The
board OF sanitary engineers appointed by the
President under authority of the act Of March
2, 1889, submitted in July last an interesting
report on the sewerage Of the District of Co.
lumbia. which is now in course OF publication.
Separate reports on the subject Of sewage dis
posal were submitted by Capt. James L. Lusk
| and by Mr.. ID. E. McComb, acting superin-
tendent OF sewers. The latter reports are APP
pended hereto.
The Commissioners recognize the great i'm
portance OF the early completion of an ade-
quate system for disposing Of the sewage, and
regret that the revenues Of the District are not
| in such a state az to enable some of the most
urgently needed sewers to be commenced at
| once For details Of the work of the sewer d.
vision reference il invited to the report of Capt
Lusk.
The Commissioners urgently recommend TO
Congress that the sewer division be placed
upon permanent footing Its work is contin-
nous and exacting in its nature, while nearly
all OF Its employees are OF necessity classed "a
temporary. No increase of expenditure win
arise from the change but much trouble and
annoyance with accounts will be avoided and a
tardy recognition made of the services of skilled
and faithful employees.
STREET LIGHTING.
The gas lighting has been improved during
| the year by placing on many Of the lamps i'm
proved self-regulating burners. The extension
| Of the gas lamps has followed closely upon the
laying Of the mains, while additional oil lamps
| have been erected in certain localities where
gas was not available. The use of the oil lamps
has continued to give satisfaction.
The municipal arc lights have continued in
satisfactory operation by means Of under
ground conductors. The street-lighting ser.
vice has extended quite beyond the power of
one man to efficiently supervise and the esti-
mates contemplate provision for an inspector
to assist the superintendent Of lamps.
THE INSPECTOR OF GAS AND NrrxRa.
Attention IL invited to the report OF this on.
Ger for details Of his work. The Commissioners
believe with him that an effective supervision
Of the manufacture and distribution OF eaa. M
contemplated by the law, cannot be maintained
without the establishment Of an additional
testing laboratory.
The work of testing gas and meters h.s
grown to such large dimensions that an assigt-
ant inspector should be nrovido<1 %. "A an.