Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-17
PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS
Annual Report OF Cot Erpst, the Engineer
I'm Charge.

IMPROVEMENTS RECOMMENDED FoR NEXT YEAR
ISsUFFIcIEScy OF TIRE CLERICAL FORCE TS
HIS oFFIcE-A CLERK NEEDED TO CARE FOR
THE OLD REcoRps-wIRISa THE WHITE HOUSE.
Col. o. III. Ernst, the engineer in charge OF
the public buildings and grounds in this city,
in his annual report to the chief of engineers
makes a number Of recommendations looking
to the Improvement Of the parks and public
places Of the city. lie urges that sufficient
sums be- appropriated for the following
objects: For granite curbing around Frank
lin Square similar 10 those used around parks
of the same style in other large cities; asphalt
walks to replace the gravel paths in Washing
ton Circle, Mount Vernon Square. the south
side OF the White House grounds, Lincoln
Square, Stanton Square. FOlger Square, Marion
Square, Henry Park and Hea:Vn Park;
lodges for watchmen in Stanton. Mt. Vernon,
Iowa, Dupont, Thomas. McPhersou and
FoIger reservations; an ornamental fountain in
Lafayette square upon the elte lett vacant by
the removal of the Lafayette statue. a Srano-
lithic pavement in place of the cid tagging
In the grounds in front of the White House;
rev superstructures of the green houses con-
nccted with the Executive Mansion: standards
for eight elevated electric lights IN the monu-
ment grounds.
Col Ernst makes some remarks about over
head telegraph lines that interesting. He
says; Attention is again respectfully invited
to the fact that II is becoming more and more
difficult to operate the overhead telegraph
system, owing TO the fact that the trees
along the line are gradually growing
up into the wires and intefruptIng the
continuity of the electric currents. particularly
during wet aud windy weather. Not only have
the present poles become too short, bat many
OF them are ruttlng al the butts aud are Ia con-
slant danger OF breaking from their own wrig gnt
Of OF being blown down during storms. The
necessity tor either replacing the overhead
wires with underground cables or of replacing
the present poles wl;h taller ones is obvious.
SURVEYING AND pKAusHFTNG.
brief but important chapter of the coloners
report is devoted to the subject Of the survey
ing and draugbting done under his supervision.
he remarks: The draughtsnan of public
buildings and grounds is also custodian of the
old records of the city of Washington
IN charge OF this Office, and his tlne is
mainly taken up with their care. He is
required to exhibit them to owners of
property. to lawyers and real estate agents
and TO produce them frequently in court. For
more than three-quarters of the past fiscal
year he has been engaged In searching these
old records with the assistant district attorney
and by request of the latter, for evidence relat-
ing to the case of the United States ys.
Morrison ct al. known the "Poto-
mac flats case, and apr caring a
witness in that case. Inorder that the draughts-
man may devote his whole time to surveying
the public grounds ana making the plans of
them that are required by law 10 be kept in
this office, clerk should be provided to take
charge of the old records. and the estimate sub
mltted last year for that purpose is re-
neWed Attention is again invited to
th. Loot sI.s
believe that large number of lots in this CITY
TO which the United States has a clear title are
neId and occupied by private persons. 1t il of
much importance that this Office be provided
with the clerical force necessary to investigate
this subject"
ELECTRIC LIGHTS IN THE WHITE HOUSE.
The work OF wiring the White House 70,
eleetrIc lights is detailed. and Cob Ernst saws
''-All OF the work contemplated for this i'm.
provement had not been placed in position al
The close of the fiscal year. but it il expected
to complete II after July /. the unex.
pended balance Of the appropriation gro-
vioed Tor the purpose having beer
made available for Use after that date. The
work required to complete the system will be.
In general tine placing of glass upon tine IiN-
tuEes N uine rooms and one corridor, and
haIlgin 8. chandeliers in two rooms on the Sec
unu hUor- On the trst floor the fixtures are
TO be placed in the state dining room
and the buffers pantry. additional
fixture is 10 he placed in the red parlor new
switches are to go upon the east room circuit,
switches are to be provided for the conserva-
tory and the lower part OF the conservatory
and camella house are to be wired and pro-
yided with lamps, ana fixtures are to be made
for the outside canopies used on occasions OF
itcialreceptions. The building is provided with
the electric current through cables connected
with the dynamo in the state War ana Navy
building. The Installation OF electric iights
has been under the direct supervision OF
Passed Assistant Engineer Geo W. Baird.
United States navy. 10 whose zeal and skill the