The morning call., 1890-07-13
ASHW0RTH'S
ANNUAL REPORT.
Extreme Urgency for a Better
System of Sewerage.
The Improvement Of the City's Streets by
Matchmaking Should be Prohibited
Within Certain Boundaries

Superintendent of Streets Ashworth completed
hts annual report yesterday aud fled it with tile
Supervisors. The following remarks preeede,the
statistics of the years work:
In accordance with Resolution No. 1855 Qhird
series, l herewith submit my annual report Tor
the fiscal year ending June 80 1890. There
have been miles aud 1922 feet OF streets paved
with basalt blocks, and miles and 2593 Ieet
paved with bltUminous rock; also, 16 miles and
1921 feet OF sewers built of these streets so
paved Z miles and 1858 feet have been accepted
and added 10 the accepted streets OF this city
The work OF repaWug with basalt blocks that
portion OF the accepted streets Of this city here
1ofore paved viii cobbles has progressed as far
as the moneys available for that purpose would
permit, but this IS work OF great magnitude,
and cannot be accomplished in one year. In
some places was forced, through the eXigencles
OF lie case, TO repave with cobbles, although
aW OF The opinion That the inconvenience to pub
lie tayelis only iessened but not abaied thereby.
CONCERNING SEWERAGE.
The extent Of territory which the various I'M
proyemeut clubs OF this city are opening up for
Improvement and IN which sewers are now pro-
JeCted, and 10 many cases Al being Constructed,
lay opinion makes Il Immediately incumbent
ON yuUr honorable board to devise and adopt
GeiuiIe plan and system OF sewerage for the Gu
the city. No definite plan ne whole has yet
been formulated.
He only attempt at a system has been in the
Of that portion Of the city lying east OF Mis-
sion street, between Channel and Iwenty-hfth
streets, ana Lle territory Known as lDe IOluL
LObuN Dlstrlci, which ths Ctly Engineer IS now
engaged on Tie question is one Of vast impor-
lance 10 this city. The health Of lis Inhabitants
depends IN great measure on The perfection OF
lis sewers.
To CO ntinue 10 construct sewers through terri
tories for which no visible outlet has yet been
provided IS simply waste OF money, and Is leav-
lug results to accident OF chance, which should
he carefully considered IN advance. The sewers
flowing toward and tributary TO tie Army-Slreet
sewer have, in most eases, yet 10 be connected
herewith. according TO the plan prepared Tor
that district by the city Engineer.
\ largo portion OF these Will connect with that
seWer through POtretO avenue. Inc sewer now
constructed III that avenue stops At TW enty-slxth
street, and the sewage Is discharged over the low
rounds IN tuat HegbberhOod. This should be
attended TO al once and proceedings Instituted 10
cOudemn tic land necessary TO extend that aY
euue, and also all intermediate streets between
II ana Folsom street 10 Army.
URGENCY OF INCREASED FACILITIES.
In my last annual report ] called attention 10
the then urgent necessity of formulating plan
Ot sewerlng-uot Tor fractional portions, but for
Tie entire city. The urgency Sill exists and the
need u such plan increases each succeeding
year. All The sewers heretofore constructed
and emptying along the water front OF this city
are continuous source Of discomfort and annoy
auCe 10 Tie residents OF that portion OF the city
lying east of Montgomery and First streets.
lie tide-water backs up and banks up the
sewage In these sewers, thereby creating
nuisance which IL IS Impossible 10 abale until a
RECEIVING sewer Is constructed along the city
front 10 convey II 10 reservoir, whence It could
be pumped INTO the bay. These are matters
which earnestly call your attention 10.
All that cOuld lie done toward cleaning and re-
pairing the sewers OF this city during the past
fiscal gear las been DONE and their condition Is
Low better than AZ any previous period. The re-
TOtI OF the Health oificer, showing marked de-
crease in zymotc diseases, demonstrates this
fact; bur evils l refer to exist, anG cannot be re-
moved until the measures l lave suggested are
put Ia operation
MILLS OF 3IACADAMIzED STREETS.
Only a small proportion Of The streets paved
with basalt blocks during the past year mas been
laid Win d concrete foundation. as provided In
Order 2l2l OF your honorable board, approved
lie lIh day or November 1889. The cause OF
this Is that most Of The work since performed
WAS projected and contracted for under The old
specifications, aud tile o. der could not be retro
active. The UituminOus rock pavement laid
down has still continued TO demonstrate lis
adaWablllty Tor all streets on Which residence
property fronts
have lie my last three annual reports referred
10 HIS material, and l have no occasion 70 change
Iuy judgment regarding il. / believe It Is admir-
ably suited fOT such streets, but | do not believe
81 Should be used on streets IN which there are
railroad tracks and over which heavy traffic
passes During tile past year there have been
miles OF maeadsmlzed streets constructed 10 this
city. IhIs form OF improvement IS Opeu 10 much
objection, and l believe II should be prohibited
within certain boundaries.
i IS true that IL some OF The outlying dsIIiCts
OF This city II Is the only form OF Improvement
which IL Is possible TO obtain In many cases
where streets are recommended for fun improve
mcnIS, the work OF grading and seweIlug, when
adued TO 4 more extensive Improvement than
ulacadam, would exceed one-hah the assessed
value OF tie property affected, and in other cases
prOpy uy-OwueTs would not consent to have a
mOle expensive improvement performed.
WEAR AND TEAR ON ROADS.
In my last annual report l called the attention
OF your honorable board to the extraordinary
veal 7 he paved streets IN the business portion
OF the city are subject TO, and suggested that
Secilru II OF General Order 5S7 be amended so
as 10 prohibit The hauling OF excessive loads
less lie tires OF the wheels were OF a width com
nieus uTAJe win the load. deem i my duty 10
again call your attention 10 mis- matter, IN order
70 protect tie streets against unnecessary injury.
Ny experience has convinced me that The BET
Ter the condition of the streets the heavier are
tie loads that are hauled over them. No ma
Ietlal now IN use Will withstand the traction
which The streets OF IhiS city subject 10. In
less some restriction IS placed the weight
which can lie moved in one load no effort which
this department may make VIII keep the streets
in UIOper repair
The amount ex pended on the repairs OF the
county roads during the past fiscal year, S9067 60
has been manly expended Oh the Mission road.
The extraordinary tratfiC over that highway
cOmpels incessaut repairs. When the commis-
son heretofore appointed 10 condemn and ac-
QUlIe The land necessary to widen It to a width (
egbiy-twO feet, fIOm IWeniy-SXth street 10 the
county line, has completed It's labors, your hon
CRADLE board Will presume, declare II a public
street, and commence proceedings 10 improve IL
under the provisions OF the street law Until
then the repairs needed Will have 10 he per-
formed by this Department and paid Tor from
The funds appropriated Tor county roads.
EXPENDITURE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR.
SeWrrs-Wages for cleaning and repair