Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-11-22

too small for the ultimate service Of the terri
tory now occupied by them. but which have
continued to answer their purpose SO long as
the volume OF storm water entering them re-
NAMED comparatively slight. A recent study
Of these systems has led to the preparation of q
list containing those which must DO
reached by the construction Of relief sewers in
the near future. The total estimated cost Of
the necessary sewers is s117,5 The work is
one which cannot properly be delayed.
EMERGENCY FUND.
As there not have been wanting prophecies of
an outbreak Of Asiatic cholera throughout the
country next spring it is suggested that ample
provision be made in the nature Of an increased
emergency fund, subject to. the discretion of
the Commissioners. The fact that Congress
may not be in session at the time referred to
necessity. IL an outbreak of the pestilence oc-
ours, or threatens, u large volume of extra
work will be needed in the way of disnfecting
alleys and courts and cleaning, flushing and
disnfecting sewers and their appurtenances.
Under the circumstances would suggest
that the emergency fund be fixed at not less
than S25, 900, that not less than $40 900 Of this
sum be made applicable. If necessary, to the
special cleansing and sdisinfection Of public
. sewers and their appurtenances. and that the
appropriation be made available from the time
the act becomes law.
The work Of recording reducing and plating
the results OF contemporaneous measurements
Of rainfall and sewer discharges was continued
throughout the year. The series of observations
Is now well under way and should be continued
for several years, without interruption.
recommend that an appropriation Of 90 800 be
made for this purpose for the fiscal year 1894.
AUToMA TIC FLUSH TANKS.
Some complaint has arisen concerning OBJ
jectionable odors from ma nholes. For the
most part these complaints came from streets
having exceptionally steep grades. In few
instances automatic flush tanks have been tried as
remedy with good results. 1t is proposed to
apply these devices to all the worst cases. An
estimate Of $40, 900 for this purpose has been
submitted.
JAMES GREEK CANAL.
My estimates for 1894 contain an item of
$4,000 for the building Of strong and close
fence along both sides Of this dangerous water
way. This construction appears to be neces-
sary in order to prevent accidents by drowning,
which are more numerous than they should be
in the locality in question.
As it is not probable that any system of sew
age disposal which would render possible the
filling up of the canal can be completed within
less than four or five years, the proposed ex-
penditure appears to be justifable on the score
of humanity. If the necessary sum is included
in the next appropriation bill it should be made
immediately available"
PLUMBING REGULATIONS.
distinct step in advance was taken in the
enactment by Congress, at its last session, of
law authorizing the Commissioners ''to make.
modify and enforce regulations governing
plumbing. house drainage and the ventilation,
preservation and maintenance in good order Of
house sewers and public sewers in the District
of Columbia, and also regulations governing
the examination. registration and licensing of
plumbers and the practice of the business Of
plumbing in said District"
The plumbing regulations authorized by this
law should have been promulgated and in force
by this time, but have been delayed by the
serious and prolonged illness of the inspector
of plumbing. As soon that officers health
permitted a board was appointed to prepare the
necessary regulations for submission to the
Commissioners. This board has pushed its
work vigorously, and it is expected that the
regulations will be ready for submission within
a few weeks.
Under the authority of the act referred to the
Commissioners have already made and promul-
gated regulations for the protection Of the pub
lie sewers.
UNDERGROUND CoNDUIrs.
Material extensions Of the underground lines
were made by both the United States Electric
Lighting Company and the Chesapeake and
only appreciate effect of granting these vau-
able franchises has been to restrict but not al
together to prohibit. the increase in mileage Of
overhead wires. The time appears to be near
at hand when a heavy annual tax should be
levied upon all overhead wires and their sup
ports maintained along the streets and avenues
Of Washington. No other remedy promises to
be of any avail in securing abatement of the
overhead wire nuisance.
INSPECTOR OF ASPHALT AND CEMENrs.
Under the direction of this officer there we're
examined during the year a total of 4,47S sam
Piles, of which 725 related to asphalt paving
work, 3,273 samples OF natural and 2s5 of Port
land cement were tested and 1875 anal Uses were
made OF water, ice. sewage and miscellaneous
substances. 1 renew nay recommendation of
last year that laboratory outside of the Dis
trict Office be provided for the work and that a
sufficient appropriation be made to suitably
equip he laboratory.
IL connection with the use of large auanti-
ties of hydraulic cement in concrete for sewer
construction and as base for asphalt pavements.
some extended experiments have been carried
out by the inspector of asphalts and cements to
determine the conditions affecting the strength
of cement mortar as used on the work and for
the purpose OF comparing the actual returns
obtained in practice with those shown to be
possible by laboratory tests. The latter
made with the smallest possible proportion of
water. with perfectly clean crushed quartz
having grains of uniform size and with the
mortar thoroughly compacted conditions IA
vorable to strength. which can rarely, if ever,
be reached upon the work.
The results Of these experiments show that
the proportion Of water used is a most i'm
portant factor IN determining the strength OF
| concrete, especially At early stages Of its set.
and that even under the most favorable condi-
tions enough water is habitually used in prac-
tice to reduce the strength Of the mortar be-
low that obtained in the laboratory tests by
very large amounts, with certain brands of
cement over 20 per cent. With other brands
the reduction from this cause is not so great
and it has been shown that although one
| cement may give greater returns than another
in the testing room, these results may be re-
versed on the works.
In like manner experiments with different
sands have shown that some cements are affected
much more than others by the physical
nature and condition of the sand used. This
has led to an extended series of tests of char
acteristic cements with sand and crushed quartz
of various sizes. with mixtures having grains of
different sizes. and with the addition of small
quantities Of loan and Clay. The results al
ready obtained are Of interest, and in general
confirm and extend the experiments which we're
made during the construction Of the Boston
main drainage works with the cements and
sands which were there used, which were some
what different from those with which we have
had to deal
Reyond this an examination bas beep p,oda