Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-04

Der of the important cities of Europe. They
find that like EMBARRASSMENT the effort
TO reconcile all the interests involved is of
general prevalence. They hope, notwith-
standing, to find a general solution of the
dlficulty which would give general salts
faction. -
AlI-Night Lighting.
1t is recommended that authority be
granted to contract, each, for all night
lighting and during a period of FIVE years.
for not less than 900 oil lamps, at not ex-
ceeding $3.50 per lamp per year. and for
not less than 500 gasoline lamps, at not
exceeding $3.50 per lamp per year. these
prices being the lowest bids offered in the
respective classes of illuminants. The all
night lighting will cover $500 hours per
year.
Present contracts for street lighting ex-
pre- on June 80, 1884.
me District now maintains about 200 oil
ramps IN outlying districts and alleys, at
Si".oo per lamp, for 1900 hours burning; at
iedst ooo more lamps are required at such
locdiitieS. Gasoline lamps nave not yet been
used IN the District The price for the gas
lamps now used, about 1900, is S2l.5O for
3,ooo hours burning. The price paid for the
ooo electric arc lights, burning every night
from sunset to sunrise, is SlS2 80 per year
Alter investigation and careful considera-
.ioi, the commissioners report that
terlai reduction in the prices of electric and
gas lighting can be secured by the District
ownership of electric wire conduits and
single appropriation for street lighting, with
authority to contract for a five-years' serv-
Ice Heretofore Congress has appropriated
certain definite amount for electric light
ing and certain other amount for gas
lighting, SO that no competition has ex-
listed.
PIan OF a Permanent System of High
ways Outside Of Cities.
Upon the passage of the act of March .,
1893 providing for such plan, two maps.
irer xfct.t,
ferent plans of street changes and extern
sions, were made of the territory between
Boundary street Spring road, Rock creek
and Soldiers Home, and were displayed
at the office of the Commissioners for criti-
cism and suggestion of citizens and others.
subsequently, public hearing was had
concerning the extension of Connecticut
avenue through Washington Heights.
While there was a divergence of views
as TO the desirable degree of conform
ity in highway extension plan, consider
ing existing circumstances, to the plan of
Washington, consensus of opinion ap-
peared that the intended provision of funds
for payment of awards of condemnation
was objectionable, in that it was uncertain
or would cause delay of Improvements and
embarrass the sale of lands. An issue OK
bonds as funds were required was generally
favored.
Following the provisions of the act the
Commissioners selected as first section
lIle Northwest pdrI OF the county east of
Rock creek and the Geological and Rock
Creek parks. A detailed contour map,
showing existing streets and roads, and a
NIP in plan of this section were prepared
On the latter named map scale one inch
equals 400 feet, complete street plan, re-
sulting from survey, examinations on the
ground and careful study has been pro-
Jecte1, ana which, III essentials, is ap-
proved by the Commissioners further
study remains as to certain particulars
fair copy of this map has been COM
menced.
This plan for the first section, while con-
forming in great measure to the principles |
OF the city plan, seeks an avoidance of |
undue cost.
-Four large scale detail maps, SO inches |
by 80 or 96 inches in size, covering the |
more important part of the first section |
and showing boundaries and dimensions of |
lots OF private ownership, have been drawn |
and are now being photo-lithographed
Ten special maps. showing lots and i'm |
provements were made of improved subdi- |
visions for use in preparing the street plan. |
one hundred monument stones have been |
purchased. thirty of which have been placed 1
for permanently marking survey points and /
llEes or extensions of certain streets in |
the first section.
The remainder of the District outside Of |
cities has been divided into four sections |
for street plan purposes and contour maps |
made of two of these sections
The works of highway extensions ana
SUBDIVISIONS of land have advantageously
been prosecuted together. and IL is sug-
gested that one appropriation could prop
cry cover both works. 1t is further rem
resented that the early availability of ade-
quate funds therefor would be advantage
Gus for the public interests
A bill embodying the views of the Com,
missioners will be submitted at an early
date.
General Assessments.
Provision was made in the District an
preparation act of March 3. 1891. for three
assistant assessors, TO make general as
sessment of the real and personal property
IN the District The assessment made bv
these assessors was the cause of much dis
satisfaction on account of what was regard
ed as the excessive valuations reported. When
the assessment was made real estate in
'le District, in common with that throupb
OUT the country generally, was feeling the
StlIhuIus OF active speculation. The SELL
ing prices We're, consequently in some in
stances, cautiously high Sales ar tbaSo
prices. which the assessors annarant
deemed 1t their duty to consider nateriaIiy,
a., t ,I'e .ne wnoie assessment. Congress
III tne sundry civil act of August = ISoo
provided that the President should anpoinf
BOARD OF revision, equali8a ton and an |
peals. consisting of three members. with
power TO revise and eQualize the aSsaSs |
ment so made. This board has co,npla,a5 |
its work, and the assessment as annroya5 !
by them is now in force. In consequence of
, he li,niueu tirne given them for the work
they We're not enabled to perform II TO the
complete satisfaction Of themselves or Of
lIie pupIc, nor would IL seem to be in har- |
i,ipily WIN present values although in
general their conclusions have resuIfad in
more equitable valuation. In a few in
Stances cases of real hardship were over
looked. Inc commissioners hope to be able
10 present to Congress during the present
session measure for the relief of these
cases and to provide for the making of In
.lre assessments in more acceptabIe
way. Very respectfully
JOHN w. ROSS
NJ. NJ. PARKER
c. j. POWELL,