Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-05-12
TIRE WATER SprrLy.
senator Prccios's I'm 60 Amend the Acs os
1859.

Senator Proctor This afternoon introduced
bill TO araerd the act of July Is. Iss2. entitled
An act to INCREASE the water supply in the city
Of Washington"
ACCOMPANY ing the bin isa Joint letter from
Secretary Elkius aud Attorney General
Miller. In the letter they called sem
a;or Proctor's attention 20 the fact
that urder the provisions Of the act OF
lss2 ''eertnin proceedings were taken by our
predecessors in Once TO accomplish the object.
provided for in said act Suits were instituted
and are sall pending in the Court Of
Claims on account of damages claimed
for the taking of water riehts. Difficulties
have been found both in determining
the necessary quantity Of water TO be taken
from the supply for the Didgic; OF Columbia
and in bringing 10 an end the proceedings
in relation 90 he claimed damages. We
have examined the subject matter with the
parties in IN crest and have come the concln-
don thai an adequate and satisfactory adjust
mont Of the mater carno- he accomplished
WI hout fur ther ccisatign and hat the interests
of the United Sta,cs and he District OF Column
bin viii BE- suhscrycd b. the passage Of the ac-
complaining proposed bill.
III. hill pruFidos that The act OF 50 shall
lie 10 amended 10 euably The Attorney
General and the Secretary of War To obtain
title FOR the nted Sta,es 20 such land and
water rights al and above Great Fails as
they may deem necessary for the present
and future Supply Of water for the District Of
Columbia. Within 20 DAYS after the approval
OF this act the Secretary of War and the
Attorney General are required TO make
written statement specifying the boundaries
Of the land they believe necessary for the
act and are to file. triphcate originals of that
statement in the offices OF the register OF deeds
foT the District of Columbia. the county Of
Fairfax. Va. and the county Of Montgomery,
Md. IL the Secretary of War and the At
torney General shall agree with any of
the owners of the land and water rights taken
or with any of the owners Of any land damaged
by said taking or by maintaining the govern
ment dam at Great Falls at its present height
upon the amount To be paid therefor.
they shall give such owner their GER
tihcate. specifying the amount to which he il
entitled; but in determining the compensation
20 he paid ne aforesaid the Secretary Of War
and the Attorney General shall have authority
TO enter into contract with the owners Of the
land adjacent To the Great Falls 20 secure 90 the
latter the right to and facilities for
using 80 much of the water Of the Potomac
may not be trken and used by the United
States. Provision is made for the creation of n
commission. composed Of three persons. 20 APP
praise the value OF the land. and Of the water
and OF the water right taken, and Of any dam
age that NAV euSue.
Persons or cDrporations whose interests may
be damaged by the taking OF the water must in-
stitute suit against the United States within six
months after the first publication Of the state
ment provided for. Delay beyond the period
of siN months will render the suit imperative.
Authority is granted TO the Court OF Claims
TO appoint three persons. Of whom one more
shall be skilled in hydraulic engineering. TO de-
termine, board Of referees. all contro-
verted questions OF fact TO be formulated and
submitted b. the court arising in any suit that
may be brought under the authority of this act.