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

189O-TEN PAGES.
priation law Of August &, 1850, which creates
the once OF euperintendent OF Charities and
imposes upon the incumbent Of that ONCE GER
thin duties In connection with Such estimates,
and the TACT that they did mot receive the esd
mates and reco0Dendations contemplated by
that provision because . superintendent Of
charities, whose duty Il seems 70 be 10 make
them, had not been sppointed. ~ that once
has not yet been filed The Commissioners are
still unable for the reasons given for the pre-
vioua omission to submit specific estimates for
The Commissioners also append an interest
ing and instructive report Of Rev. W. T. Par
sons, chairman Of the board Of visitors Of The
Wsshingtcn Asylum, respecting tie inspection
maoe py himsen and Mr.. F. L Moore OF the
same board Of the leading reformatories In the
cities Of Massachusetts,.
sURvRY or rHx DIETRICH.
The survey Of the District. now in progress
BY the United States coast and geodetic sur
vey, was continued under the appropriation
and nearly finished. It was estimated, how
ever, that it would require "a 900 TO finish the
same. Under the present appropriation bill
1000 was appropriated, as il vas understood
mat the survey would be completed. No funds,
however, have been given Tor publishing the
available.
Inspector Of Asphalts and Cemenss.-Durins
the year the inspector Of asphalts and cements
mas inspected and tested all materials Of this
Character used In street work. and in his report
will be found many valuable and interesting
detaiis He has also made analyses Of water
ana an Deen used IN general way - chemist for
the District.
srRxHr PAvxMHNrs.
During the past year the pavemeuts laid
have consisted Of granite block, asphalt ON
Dituminous base and asphalt block pavements.
The experiments heretofore referred to Of lay
ing sheet asphalt pavements on the old cobble
as base have been continued and still promise
success, reducing the cost OF the finished pave
ment The sheet asphalt has also been laid on
one OF the old macsdam roadwaya of the city,
and 1t Is believed this will be found 70 be one
OF the best payements in the District
Inc nature, distribution and cost Of the
various street improvements made during the
past year, and the schedule Of streets 70 be i'm
proved during the current year a. selected BY
the board OF Commissioners, are given in de-
tail IN Capt. ROsselrs report In grading and
regulating streets and roads - . rule the road
ways nave been covered with macsdam and ON
TOP OF this gravel Cutters have been laid OF
coD6ie stone, and the curbing has been placed
on the streets in the city, those in the suburbs
IN many cases having been left out The old
DIue-stone curb used on most Of the streets at
present IN the city in many instances has been
taken up and moved to suburban streets and
mas also been used, where found in better con-
dltiOn, inside the city. Il has been redressed
and rejointed and makes q good curbing, al
though not - handsome or - durable as the
The schedule of streets recommended for
Improvements has been prepared with care,
ana IL mas been the endeavor Of the Commis-
sloners 70 see that all streets mentioned in the
appropriation bill in the past shall be 30 placed
as to insure their being done at the earliest
moment when funds are available for the pur-
pose.
The amount to be expended In this way Is
estimated at about S425, 600. The Commits
sloners were disappointed at having to recon-
memo 80 small an amount, but the revenues of
the district would not permit . greater ex-
penditure 1t Is the intention, with the per-
mission OF Congress, wherever the foundation
is poor or extraordinarily heavy travel expected
on street. to put in foundation of hydraulic
concrete SIX inches in depth. The extra ex-
pense OF this ID about % cents per square yard.
PERMIT SYSTEM.
The Commissioners regard the results Of work
done under the permit system as exceedingly
valuable to the District affecting as it does the
health, safety and comfort of the people, and
believe that this should be increased, if possible
beyond the present limits II is applied to the
building OF the minor sewers. Under this sys-
tenn the residents or property owners pay one
half the cost. Where voluntary, this money is
deposited in advance. but If the improvement
IL regarded as necessary to the public health.
safety or comfort the Commissioners have the
right to order the work done and to assess one
half the cost against the abutting property. A
considerable portion of the fund has been used
in sidewalks made of asphalt tiles and blocks,
artificial stone blocks, sheet asphalt and Of
brick. and it is believed that q continuation Of
thus system will cause a large amount of the i'm
proved pavements to be laid throughout the
city. The sidewalks mentioned in the last an
nual report as made from the old asphalt taken
from Pennsylvania avenue seem to promise
well, but the amount Of labor necessary to the
contractor is 80 great that the price at which it
can be laid is greater than that where new ma
terial is used.
. EXTENSION OF STREETS AND AVENUES.
The attention of Congress is again earnestly
invited to the necessity for immediate legisla-
ton to rectify irregular and ill-considered sub
divisions, especially in the regions north of the
city of Washington. The act Of August "a.
1883. which requires future subdivisions OF
property beyond the city limits to conform to
the general plan Of the city of Washington has
been Of great benefit and will undoubtedly
conduce to proper extension Of the city.
The rectifcatiOn of the older subdivisions
could be made under Law now before Con-
gress and any delay in passing the law must
increase the expense Of doing the work. as the
property Is becoming more and more valuable
A large number of subdivisions have been made
during the past year and no subdivision has
gone on record until the plat has been ex-
amined and found to conform to the streets of
the city 30 far a. possible. except in the cases
where the topography has been such a. to re-
quire some deviation from this system.
BRIDGES.
No damage has occurred to the bridges in the
District from food or fire during the past year,
but necessary repairs have been made and
some Of the bridges painted, and in 30 far a.
kept in good order. The new bridge at the
foot Of Pennsylvania avenue across the Eastern
branch has been turned over to the District
authorities by the United States and is now used
by large number Of people. II Is hoped that
1t will be possible in the near future to have
the bridge across Rock creek at the extension
OF Massachusetts, avenue built and the old
bridge across the Eastern branch to Anacostia
replaced by more suitable structure.
STEAM RAILROADS.
The Commissioners again invite attention to
the unsettled condition Of affairs with respect
to steam railroads. The present status is un-
satisfactory not only to the people Of the city
but to the railroads themselves, and IL is urged
that some general plan should be adopted at an
railroads within the District and the granting of
further necessary extensions and privileges 30
people.
STREET RAILWAYS.
The 7th atrAet road nnder the rornovaxlon ~