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

receiving reservoir in its present condition
the higher levels OF the gravity service would
begin 20 suffer At once, and after one or two
days could not he supplied either as against
fire or for domestic purposes until the damage
was repaired.
The most ordinary foresight demands that
the existing storage capacity be doubled by
improving the receiving reservoir without
I unnecessary DELAY.
An incidental advantage which has often been
pointed out as certain TO follow the improve
ment OF this reservoir is that each days supply
beng allowed 70 settle twice as long at
present. the water would seldom reach the con-
SINNER In as turbid state as is now sometimes
the case.
HIGH SERVICE.
The daily pumpage at both the Washington
and Georgetown pumping stations has materi-
ally increased during the year. By close stten-
ton the engines at the Georgetown station have
been kept in fair working condition. The
Knowles engine. having become overtaxed, is
worked only in emergencies The Blake engine
Is equal to the work now required of 1t, but is
very Wasteful Of fuel. The Gsskill engines at
the Washington station can pump considerably
more water than at present If the existing lift
be not increased, but cannot be depended upon
for supplying certain of the higher areas now
urgently demanding a water supply. At its last
session Congress provided that any surplus re-
sources Of the water department arising during
the fiscal year 1883 might be applied to the ex-
tension of the high service. 4 detailed study
is now being made of the proposed extension
and it will be completed by the time the funds
become available. Several years will be re-
quired to complete this extension unless some
means can be devised to free the water depart
ment from the burden OF debt which binders
the expansion of the distribution system at the
rate demanded by the growth of the suburban
areas. The calls for the extension Of water
mnins into these areas very pressing. the
inhabitants being rightly distrustful OF the
quality of the well water.
PUBLIC PUMPS.
At the end of the fiscal year 1892 there were
in service go public pumps. Twenty-nine old
pumps were replaced by new ones during the
year and fourteen wells were abandoned and
filed on account Of failure pollution of the
water. Repairs to pumps were made in S74 in
stances.
Each year sees the failure Of wells on account
OF the construction of sewers in their vicinity,
the breaking up of the original strata of clay
and gravel drawing the ground water down to
appropriation asked for public pumps for 1894
Is $4,000. the same as that for the current fiscal
year.
GAS AND OIL LIGHTING.
During the year the gas and oil lamps were
lighted 5000 hours each per annum, the mini
mum prescribed by law. This should be in
creased 20 not less than 8. 500 hours per lamp
per annum, and better still to 1000. II seems
idle 20 repeat the arguments in favor of the
proposed increase. 1t IL, perhaps, sufficient to
saw that. owing to the steady increase in the
number of tell buildings and In the extent and
thickness of the foliage. longer dependence
upon the moon for street lighting purposes Is
futile. At best the problem of lighting much
Of the older portions of Washington and
Georgetown is pretty nearly equivalent to
attempting to light an ordinary forest. and to
restrict the necessary hours Of burning by one
fourth Is economy difficult to justify. The
three wears contracts authorized by Congress
in 1880 will expire in 1894. and before new con-
tracts are entered into provision should GER
tainly be made for not less than $500 hours
burning per lamp per annum.
During the fiscal year 1898 all the gas and oil
lamps were painted. under contract. Advan-
tage was taken of the painting to make a care
full count of the lamps in service, and the results
of this count were plated. About $50 old and
worthless lanterns were replaced by new ones.
The number of new gas lamps lighted during
the year was 254. Twentv-three discontinued
lamps were relighted, while 147 were discon-
tlnued. the net increase for the year being $50.
The total number of gas lamps recorded as in
service on June 30, 1892, was 5.496. Of which
5,053 were lighted by the Washington Gas Light
Company and 443 by the Georgetown Gas Light
Company. As a whole. the contracting gas
companies rendered satisfactory service during
the year
One hundred and twenty-five new oil lamps
were established during the year and twenty
three were discontinued. the net increase being
102. The total number in service ct the end of
the year was $50. The service rendered was
fair. The oil lamps are considered as tempo
rary substitutes for gas lamps, and are replaced
by the latter as soon as practicable.
In connection with this service as well as the
electric lighting my thanks dine N the
intendent of the naval observatory for a very
complete set of tables showing the duration of
twilight and the times of the rising and setting
of the sun and moon, computed for each day of
tbs, calendar year 1892
The estimate for gas and oil lighting for 1894
is Sl5j,665.
ELECTRIC LIGHTING.
On June 80, 1892. there we're in service 32i
arc lamps. each Of 1000 nom; nal candle power.
an increase Of 81 lamps during the year. These
lamps were lighted from sunset to sunrise each
night, total OF 1901 hours and four minutes
per lamp. The existing contract will expire
on June 30. 1854. Before that time legislation
should be secured authorizing a reduction in
the annual period Of arc lighting to 1000 hours
per lamp per annum. ANY saving possible in
tins respect NAV well be applied to extending
tine hours OF gas lighting, as recommended
elsewhere in this report. Excepting for a
short period about the middle OF the fiscal year.
when some interruptions occurred the arc
lighting service has been well maintained.
Estimates nave been Submitted for the extern
sion Of the lighting to include II street
north from 9Th street west to 18th east. The
northeast section. for the benefit of which this
extension Is recommended. has thus far had no
share in the advantages Of this service. The
estimate for electric lighting for 1874 il s70. 600
For details concerning the lighting service
attention Is invited to the accompanying report
OF the superintendent Of Tampa
SEWER DIVISION.
The problems now before this division for
solution believe 20 be the most important
which confront the District government
Unless ample means are provided and large
drainage works pushed speedily to completion
serious results are to be apprehended, not only
as concerns the health and comfort of the COM
munity, but also affecting its material growth
and prosperity. The issue cannot be evaded.
The city has outgrown and oyertaxed much OF
it, old drainage system and in some directions
has spread beyond the LIMITS of the new system,
while grave nuisances exist close to populous
areas The most pressing necessities will be
set forth in detail below.
CLEANING AND REPAIRING SEWERS AND BASINS.
Under this appropriation extensive repairs
were made 10 the northeast branch Of the old
I Georgetown main sewer. the main sewer on 9th
street southeast, crossing Virginia avenue, and
| the main sewer on the east side of 18th street
I b.tv II s-reat aud