Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-12-03
SIDEWALKS ABOUT PARKS, PUBLIC RESERVATIONS
AND BUILDINGS.

AND BUILDINGS.
wish to call attention once more to this
matter. These spaces belong to the general
governments and hope that they will soon be
made a model to the citizens instead of being
lett, as some OF them now are, among the worst
In the city.
would ask that Congress be requested to
appropriate money for this purpose. to be ex-
pended by officers of the United States.
The importance of securing the extension of
the avenues and principal streets at once needs
no remarks from me. Every day this is put
Of tho cost is greatly increased, and early
action should be taken. Tho beautiful plan OF
the city has been departed from in the subdi-
visions just outside of the city proper,
and this land, now become valuable, is
manner. 1t is now SO built up in places as to
render it impracticable to make any but minor
changes The city Of Washington in its plan
Is monument to those under whose wise man.
should be done for the future throughout the
rest of the District.
regard this az the most important consider
alton in connection with the surface depart
ment.
The following is the statement Of the work
done, trees planted, &C., during the fiscal year:
Trees in streets July /, 1880. .... 81, 967
Trees planted during the year,. 2,631
AoeoA 1850
Trees removed, lost by storm, &c. ...... 7s4
Total number June 80, 1884,. 81, s14
desire to invite special attention to the re-
ports OF the parking commission and the su-
perintendent Of the parking commission. which
are appended. One Of the chief attractions of
the cityDare the beautiful trees now lining most
OF the streets, and as the streets extend farther
a and farther int. into the District the
are largely increased, and although
have been compelled by reason Of the financial
condition Of tie District to ask for no more
money than l do, yet more is needed, and l
would suggest tina. the planting Of trees out
Side OF the city be done under the permit sys-
TEN, as in tho case OF laying sidewalks, requir-
ing the owners, however. to pay all the cost of
planting, the District merely furnishing the
trees and doing the work.
BRIDGES.
There have been no extra expenditures on
bridges this year due to any foods or serious
damage of any kind. The bridges across the
Chesapeake and Ohio canal in Georgetown
need attention. They are of great impor tanco
to the citizens Of Georgetown and should be
kept up.
desire particularly to speak Of the Anacos-
| tia bridge, which is an old structure and most
unsatisfactory one. very deficient in width for
the large travel now using it. The draw, as
now constructed and operated, il a great nui-
cient in strength, and some Of the piers have
apparently settled out Of place.
The bridge Is twenty feet in width, with two
sidewalks Of five feet each. 1t is l,256 feet long
low water, or Ave feet above high water. 1t
has draw span Of fifty feet on the Bascule
principle, operated by man power.
My predecessor estimated for this bridge a
cost Of S85, 900 for raising the same and ex-
tending the embankment, SO as to reduce the
numher of I sly d0nbinp tho width Inv
putting the spans not needed beside thoss that
would be left in position.
believe myself that it would be better to
build an entirely new bridge, and that an APP
preparation Of $3.50, 600 should be made for the
same. the spans of the old bridge to be used
wherever proper for small bridges needed
throughout the District
The old wooden Benning bridge over the
Eastern branch is being replaced by an iron
girder bridge, an appropriation of S60,OO0
having been made by the last Congress for this
purpose.
The iron bridge over Rock creek at street
northwest should be raised
The Chain bridge is in apparently good con-
dltion, and the same may be said Of the Aque-
duct or Free bridge.
The Baltimore and Potomac railroad have
built new track under the western span of the
Pennsylvania avenue bridge over the Eastern
branch during the past fiscal year The en-
bankment caused movement in the western
pier of the bridge. The railroad company
have given bond to make good any damage,
but as yet this has been slight
NEW BRIDGES NEEDED.
A bridge should be built over Rock creek
along the line of Massachusetts, avenue ex-
| tended.
The bridge across the Potomac river to con-
meet the city with Arlington, although a ma
tional matter, hope the Commissioners will
recommend ii.
STEAM RAILROADS.
This question has not yet reached q satisfac-
tory solution. As our country grows in popu-
lation the time must come when grade cross
ings of ordinary and steam roads will no longer
be permitted anywhere. This time, it set ms
TO me, has come in this city and will shortly
| come through the District 1t may be
| urged that the whole expense of the
costly changes necessary to accomplish
| this should not he borne by the railroad. l
would suggest that the Commissioners ask Con-
gress to require the change to be made and APP
point a committee to lay out plan for same
with the proportion Of cost to be borne by the
railroads and the government
STREET RAILWAYS.
This city has suffered great inconvenience
| throughout the year by reason Of the large
amount Of work done by the different COM
| panes i'll changing to the grooved rail and in
the of the Washington and Georgetown
railroad putting down a cable system.
The end seems to be now in sight and the re-
suit will be very beneficial.
| HEROIC LINES.
| would respectfully repeat my views of last
year on this subject l would also ask that the
L ~