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

number of teams have been formed here and
considerable enthusiasm aroused and a num-
Der OF games between local teams and college
teams have done much to fix the game in popu-
lar favor.
THE CAMP OF THE DISTRICT MILITIA.
The most important event in the history Of
the District militia during the past year was
their first encampment as an organization, at
Fort Washington, which lasted from July % to
July 20. There were all the time more than q
thousand men in camp, and in a military sense
the encampment was a complete success. Gen.
eral Ordway was in command and preserved
the strictes. discipline that all had valuable
experience in actual life in camp and in the
Held. The experiences Of the week served TO
strengthen q true military spirit in the militia
Of the District and feeling Of friendly rivalry
was aroused which will go far toward keeping
up high standard among the various military
bodies.
THE POTOMAC FLOOD.
The most notable feature Of last years
weather was its remarkable humidity. The
month Of May was the rainiest on record. 1t
was marked by q succession Of heavy rainfalls
which, coming at the close of a wet spring, had
the effect of swelling the streams and rivers to
unusual size in all this section of the country.
The Potomac river began to rise on Friday,
May 81, and on Saturday an angry food OF
yellow water swept past the river 'front.' The
river was still mainly confined to its banks,
but during the day the water began to back up
into the sewers and fill the Easements of the
stores and residences in the central part OF the
city. The news had been received of the
terrible disaster which had overwhelmed the
town Of Johnstown, Pa, on Friday, and
citizens whose interests lay along the river
front regarded with fresh apprehension the
threatening condition Of the river. At mid
night Saturday the waters began to rise rap
idly and when Sunday morning dawned it
showed a city partially submerged by water.
The streets and reservations in the lower levels
in the center Of the city, all the wharves and
streets along the river front, Pennsylvania
avenue from I'd to 18th streets were submerged.
On some parts Of Pennsylvania avenue the
water rose nearly to the floor of the street cars
The car lines running south were stopped.
During the day the waters began to go down
and by Monday morning the city had again
resumed its normal condition. 1t was some
days before the river receded into its banks.
Never before in the memory of the oldest
inhabitants had the waters OF the Potomac
river risen to so great a height. All the tide
gauges were hidden. The water was fully three
feet above the 1877 food mark. and that was
eleven feet above spring-tid high water
while the business men and property owners
along the river front and in the submerged
portions OF the city suffered losses, vet the
serious phase of the food locally was the
DESTRUCTION OF THE CHESAPEAKE AND OHIO
CANAL.
span OF the Long bridge had been swept
away, but that only resulted il a temporary
delay in the business of the railroad and in the
travel across the bridge. A careful examination
OF the canal was made not only by the canal
managers but by the citizens. There were
meetings held by citizens in Georgetown.
Cumberland, and in other places. The George
town milers who were dependent Oh the water
supply from the canal to run their mills sub
mltted a proposition to the canal company
Offering to repair the Georgetown level at their
own expense. This proposition was accepted,
and the work OF repair was prosecuted with
such viSor that in the latter part of August the
water was turned into the level. The canal
directory decided to issue repair bonds to put
the entire line in repair, but owing to the
heavy load OF debt, which the canal was
then carrying, it was found to be i'm
possible to place the bonds. With the excep-
ton OF the Georgetown level the canal in its
entire length remains in the same condition as
the subsiding waters left it. Some action
securing its repair is hoped from the MARYLAND
Legislature this winter.
RELIEF FOR FLOOD SUFFERERS.
The suffering caused by the flood in this
vicinity and in Pennsylvania elected one of
the most striking demons.r ations of public
generosity that has ever been witnessed in this
city. relief committee of citizens was organ
l2cd as the result OF public meeting held in
Wizards hall, when President Harrison pre-
sided and made a stirring address, In res oonse
to the appeals made by this committee contri-
buttons OF money and clothing were received
in such abundance that at once ear loads of
provisions and other supplies were dispatched
to points where the need was the greatest In
the course of a few weeks the contributions of
money alone reached the magnificent sum of
about $4,000. There was contributed through
TIE STAR the sum Of S5925l2a portion of
which, as well as of the general fund, was used
In relieving the wants of the canal sufferers.
DANGER TO THE FLATS.
1t was feared that the rush of waters and the
debris carried along by the swift tide would
result in injury to the work of improvement in
progress on the Potomac flats After the river
had subsidized it was found that but little dam
age was done. The opinion was expressed by
expert, that the flats were OF great benefit in
preventing strong currents from sweeping into
the city and along the river front and destroy
ing great deal of property, as was the case
during the flood OF 1877.
LONG BRIDGE MUST GO.
The menace which the Long bridge is to the
city was emphasized afresh by this food. A
well directed effort has been started by petition
OF numerous citizens to Congress with the view
OF inducing that body to provide for the erec-
ton Of bridge on the site of the present
structure, but built on piers as high at least as
those on which the new free bridge rests. Both
were injured slightly by the force of the waters
during the flood.
NEW BRIDGES.
The construction of the bridge across Rock
creek at Woodley road was completed during
the year and the work of building the Eastern
Branch bridge has reached an advanced stage.
so that 1t will be available for public use in a
short time. number of citizens are in fayo.
OF erecting bridge across the Eastern branch
at the foot OF South Capitol street and an asso-
citation has been formed to further this enter
prise.
MATERIAL GROWTH AND IMPROVEMENT OF CITY,
The growth in the population as well as in
the prosperity Of the city has been marked
during the year by a steady activity in build
Ing operations. More than two thousand
dwellings were erected, an incre ase as COM
pared with the previous year Of nearly three
hundred. feature of the years building rec
ord has been the large number of dwellings
erected OF the smaller class. Fine business
buildings and costly residences have been
erected, but the tendency has been to meet the
need for houses of moderate size suitable for
people OF small incomes. A very large number
OF houses have been built on Capitol Hill and
the growth IN sections of the city which have
been somewhat neglected in the new develop
ment OF the city is an evidence OF
the substantial progress that has been
made. The greater hberality in the
appropriation for street improvements has no
doubt, had favorable effect. During the year
the movement III suburban property has been
quiet, but 1t has been characterized by SUBJ
stantial improvements. The most marked fea-
fnr has haar, no.