Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-01-09

construction would say that the committee on
appropriations, having already put on the last
appropriation bill a regulation which enabled
this very Fifty first Congress TO deal with the
wires then overhead. should not now also con-
tinue the same regulation with respect to other
wires that may come here from time to time
during the Fifty-frst Congress, and which are
covered BY the existing law and by this bill.
submit that there Is nothing IN the point of
order. 1t is not a change of existing law"
After further discussion Mr. McComas found
that it was useless to press the matter, SO he
let the paragraph go without more delay.
THE MILITIA CLAUSE SAVED BY A SCRATCH.
By a clever parliamentary ruse the clause
making appropriations for the militia was
adopted without opposition, though opponents
of it were lying in wait. When the entire
clause had been read through Mr.. Savers moved
to strike 1t out.
Gen. Henderson then called attention to the
fact that each item Of the appropriation was
made N separate paragraph, and that it was
then too late to make motion affecting any
but the last paragraph, which merely appro-
priated $3.50 for incidental expenses.
The chair sustained the position taken by
Gen. Henderson and the clause remained In
the bill.
An attempt was made by Mr.. Tracy and Mr.
Splnola to get appropriations of Il. 900 each for
the Home of the Good Shepherd and the in
stitution of the Little Sisters of the Poor, but
GEN. CASEY ON THE WATER SUPPLY.
In connection with the appropriations for
the water supply, the following letter was read
from Gen. Casey:
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS,
UNITED STATES ARMY.
WASHINGTON, DC. January 6, 1890.
Sir: In answer to the communication of the
9th ultimo from the committee on apppropria-
tions of the House of Representatives. concern
ing the water supply of this city, / have the
honor to report that the work now going on for
the purpose of increasing the water supply un-
der tie terms of the act of March 2, 1889. Is
based upon the project submitted by this Office
to the joint select committee of the two houses
appointed under the concurrent resolution of
October 8. 1888. and will be found in full in re-
port No. 26S6. Senate, Fiftieth Congress, Sec
ond session, pages 50 TO S.
The committee desires information on the
following questions:
First. What progress has been made to date
with the work authorized under the appropria-
ton III the deficiency act of March 2, 1889, of
$4,000 to construct and put in operation As
inch cast-lron water main from the dlstribut-
ing reservoir above Georgetown to the 48-inch
main from the new reservoir?
Answer. The total length of 48-inch main to
be laid from the distributing reservoir to 4th
street is 23O00 feet. OF tins length 19,400 feet
was laid on the evening of the 4th instant,
leaving $500 feet still to be put in. On Capitol
Hill $500 feet of the 30-inch main was to be
laid, and of this length l,575 feet had been
placed under the grounds of the Capitol, leav-
ing 1928 feet to be put III position. The prog
ress has been in every way satisfactory and
the water will undoubtedly be let into the mains
in advance of the time estimated i'll the pro-
ject
Second. What is the present condition of the
water supply of the District of Columbia with
reference to high and low service, and will the
existing water supply be sufficiently increased
by the new 4S-lnch main to answer all the needs
OF the District for any length of time?
Answer. The present condition of the water
supply of the city is the same it has been for
the past ten years. 1t has never been divided
INTO distinct high and low services other than
the limited portions affected by the appliances
for Georgetown and The stand-pipe on 18th
street extended.
The existing water supply, it is believed,
VIII be sufficiently increased by the 4S-inch
main and the division of the city into high and
low services to answer all its needs for ten or
fifteen years to come.
Third. What is the existing status of tie
aqueduct tunnel with reference to its being
used for purposes OF the water supply of the
District?
Answer. The aqueduct tunnel is now full Of
water to the level of Rock creek, and its status
Is the same IL was on the 31st of October 1883,
when work ceased upon it by the operations of
the act of April 2. 1888, limiting the of the
aqueduct tunnel was never completed to a
point where it could be used for purposes of
the water supply.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
THos. LINCOLN CASEY,
Brig. Gen. Chief of Engineers.
Hon. REDFIELD PRoCToR, Secretary of War.
THE INCREASED SUPPLY TO BE HERE IN APRIL.
Mr.. Springer asked within what time these
mains referred to in the letter were to be in
operation.
Mr. McComas-''We ascertained by telegraph
ing that the date of the contract was May 10;
SO that under the contract the water oug Int to
be supplied all over the hill by May 10 of the
present year, but Gen. Casey says it will in
fact be somewhat Ill advance of that date Ac-
cording to his letter and telegram the citizens
of the District should enjoy this increased sup
ply of water about the middle of April of the
present year. l understand there will then be
sufficient pressure to furnish to all the resi-
dents of Capitol Hill and the other high por-
tions of the city an adequate supply OF water
in all parts of their houses"
THE BILL PASSED.
The bill was adopted by the committee with
out further amendment and then passed by the
House.