Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-13
SUBDIVISION OF LANDS.
Annual Report OF Assistant Engineer Spal-
ding to the Commissioners.

SUBDIVISION OF LANDS.
Annual Report OF Assistant Engineer sp.l.
ding to the Commissioner
THE SUBDIVISIONS rxAMrNrp AND APPROVED
DURING THE PAST MANSIONS VALUABLE
RrcoMxEEpArIoSs As TO THE PERMANENT
MARKING OF STREET LINES, ETC.
The annual report Of Assistant Engineer
Fred. p. Spalding. in charge Of the subdivision
lands has been submitted. During the year
sixteen Subdivisions have been examined and
approved as in conformity with the general
plan OF the city Of Washington and surveys
have been made and lines given upon the
ground and plata prepared showing the positions
OF projected streets with relation 10 private
properties in fifteen cases where no subdi-
Visions have yet been made. Surveys have
heen made and map prepared showing the
line OF Massachusetts, avenue from Rock creek
70 tne American University, upon which, he
says, 1t is expected that right Of way will be
obtained from owners without cost to
the District. The line Of 10th street. he con-
tinues has been extended from the city TO
its intersection with the northeast boundary OF
the District Of Columbia, the west line of this
street having been adopted as the eastern
boundary OF the Rock Creek Park, north
ward from the Blagden Mill road to the
district boundary. survey is also partially
completed OF the course of 18th street through
Mount Pleasant from Florida avenue to Piney
orsnch, which will show the private property
70 De taken tn the proposed opening of the
street. During the year . small scale map Of
.ne District showing the positions of streets
IN subdivisions existing or approved before
July l, 1891, is submitted.
CLASSES OF SUBURBAN SUBDIVISION.
The suburban subdivisions are divided into
three classes-those approved during the year,
those previously existing, which are
in accord with the general plan
OF the city. and those not in accord
with the general plan OF the city. In the
suodiSisions approved during the year, deria-
lions from the usual straight extensions
three instances. In the Palisades Of the
fotcmac the streets running east and
west have been DETECTED at the
Conduit road from a straight line and west
ward from that road have been made approx
| imateiy perpendicular to its course. In this
case ne says il was considered the topog-
raphy rendered q subdivision on the true lines
lmpracticable and that in consequence Of the
position OF the property upon the bluff over
| looking the river these streets could not be
continued farther. and hence the change was
not important. In the Ingleslde subdivision
he says it is understood that the reason
for the change was the difficulty in
subdividing under the regular system due to
Btightwood Park il was decided to continue
the plan OF the Petworth subdivision to the
shepherd road and there change to the city
system.
IMMEDIATE ACTION NECESSARY.
Speaking of the subdivisions whose streets are
laid out irreGularly with no regard to continuity
Of streets through adjacent subdivisions, Mr..
Spalding calls attention to the necessity of some
immediate action with regard TO the irregular
cphl sr,,, liz AZ Ii. A.
city, and through which Is reached large
portion OF the District in which improvements
are now being made, for he says not only will
the deiay largely increase the cost OF any
change when 1t does come, but there is at pres
ent an element Of uncertainty surrounding the
whole matter which prevents the formation of
any rational plan for new subdivisions in the
vicinity OF those to be changed, and may lead
to new complications in the future.
BENEFIT OF THE PRESENT LAW.
Referring to future work, he says that the
law regulating the subdivision of land has now
been In operation for two years and has been
OF great benefit in disseminating the
former irregular manner OF subdivision.
and introducing system into the laying out
end naming OF streets as we'll in securing
proper widths for new streets. He says that
1t ia very evident that the present force of his
bssnch OF the engineer department. is quite
| inadequate to the work 1t has in hand.
anu tAoe IL tuc WOEh suUulu De COutlnueO upon
its present basis, a considerable increase OF ap-
preparation will be necessary to meet the re-
| quirements Of the present rate OF suburban
! Improvements. An additional craftsman should
be employed to make detail map of the
| District. showing ali existing streets, with the
| contours OF the surface upon which new streets
| may be projected and the value Of proposed
subdivisions be readily determined. The max
| ing Of such map, he says, would be work Of
considerable magnitude and would require
much Held work n Rafiafacforily
various isolated subdivisions
LINES OF STREETS SHOULD BE MARKED
He also calls attention to the necessity of
some means Of permanently marking the lines
| Of streets in new subdivisions, and says pro-
vision should be made by which his depart
| ment should establish such marks in each
case as might seem necessary to prevent
| the loss OF the line Of the uew streets. He
says fur Their that 1t is also considered Of first
importance that the work Of diagonal avenues
| should be extended and that new avenues
| should be laid ont upon the most avail
able lines to facilitate communication in all
directions throughout the District and in
order that future subdivisions should be regu-
| lated to the best advantage, he says it is es-
! scntial that a careful and comprehensive
study be made of the whole subject
| the Typographical features and local
needs of each section being duly considered
and that complete plan be formed and that
u
part Of that general plan. In this connection
! he says that the subdivisions of the outlying
pnrts OF the District is now progressing at
Il very rapid rate and whether or not
| the improvement and occupation by residence
| of these new subdivisions will be as rapid as is
predicted by their promoters the fact remains
that this development when it does come
| is to be upon the lines now being laid down
and proper regard for economy as well
as for the symmetry and beauty of this great
city OF the future suggests a careful considers
ton now Of the best means of controlling that
most important: factor in its well being, the
plan upon which it is to be built.
The police of the first precinct raided Polly
Lynchs alleged bawdy house last night, and
| the proprietress paid $50 in the Police Court
| today.
John lyman has bought from Thomas Joyce
ct ex. for 81, 900 part lot 6. square 140 feet
ON north side OF street between 18th and 18th
streets northwest.
Attempted Murder in Camden Jail
CAMDEN, n. j.. August 13-At midnight last