Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-07-11

The engineer department is now hard at work
on the map showing the extension Of streets, as
provided by the act establishing permanent
system Of highways. In conversation with
STAR reporter upon the general sub
ject Of street extensions this morning
Capt Powell said that, as far as practicable, all
streets would be extended in q straight line. In
the case Of Connecticut avenue some difficulty
might be experienced and considerable cutting
would have to be done. II Connecticut
avenue is extended in straight
line, 1t will be necessary, he thought, to bridge
the cross streets. This would be necessary
on account Of the large cuts that would
have to be made in the establishment Of
the uniform grade for the avenue. 1t had
also practically been decided to adopt a system
OF east and west alleys for all that section
lying outside Of the city and to compel the
opening of these alleys by the refusal to
record any subdivisions unless these alleys are
provided for. This would be departure, but
the need Of alleys every day becomes more
and more manifest. The early opening Of these
alleys would allow Of the introduction Of. cleo
trio light and telephone wires and the intro
duction Of sewers and water mains, thus obvi-
ating the necessity Of digging mp the streets and
sidewalks.
THE WHARF QUESTION.
Just now the holders Of wharf property along
the river front from 9th to l4th street are
speculatipg as to the outcome Of the case
Of the United States against Morris, now
pending in the Supreme Court Of the Dis
trict 1t M be recalled that some time
age there was Controversy between the Inland
Seaboard and Coasting Company and Moncurc
ROt,fnann q Iba 10. tn
Few feet Of wharfage. The government stepped
in about this time and claimed title. 1t had
always been regarded that the wharf
privileges belonged to the government. and
leases for twenty years from the government,
the lessees paying all expenses Of wharf
and its maintenance. In that case
the Supreme Court decided that the
government was the real owner of the water
front, and the District Commissioners, acting
upon the advice of their attorney, stepped in
and commenced proceedings for possession.
The case Of the United States against Morris.
to determine the title Of the government to
all land affected by the improvements on the
Potomac river and the flats, came up about this
time. and the Commissioners agreed to await
decision in this case before proceeding in the
matter. The case has never been settled
Several days ago Acting Secretary Hamlin
requested the Commissioners to take action re-
Earding the wharf at the foot Of 9Th street. with
a view Of turning it over to the Treasury De-
partment for its use. The Commissioners sent
the subject, and late yesterday afternoon he
submitted his opinion.
THE OPINION.
After carefully reviewing the case in question
Mr.. Thomas says he does not know whether the
description Of the property as contained
in the lease includes the foot of
nd rvill hoya 10 ~
made to decide the question. Should the
Supreme Court in the case Of the United States
against Morris ct al reverse its decision in the
steamboat company's case, Mr.. Thomas says it
would not affect the right Of the United States,
the fee simple owner Of the streets of Wash
ington city, to the right of wharfng at the foot
Of said street, an incident to such ownership.
REFORM SCHOOL SAFE.
The buildings occupied by the reform school
are in a safe condition, says Building Inspector
Entwisle in report to the Commissioners to-
day. President A. J. Falls Of the school re-
Gently requested the Commissioners to have
an examination Of the premises made for the
purpose of determining the safety Of the build
ings. Building Inspector Entwisle was directed
| to make the examination and today he sub
mitted his report, which is as follows:
81 have the honor to report that as directed
| l have made an inspection Of the buildings at
1
| as constructed safe IN all parts But l would
| recommend that several parts Of the brick
work in the basement Of the main building,
carelessly cut out for pipes. &C., be properly
repaired, especially under the chimney on the
east side. Also l would suggest that at the
south end of the girder under the second floor
| Of the east wing that the wall be
drilled and heavy anchor or hold fast be
| inserted to prevent a motion in this wall. as
the indications that this wall being
free, having at present no tie. it shows a
| tendency to have a motion outward. The
| premises we'll supplied with water in case
Of fire, the tanks in the water tower containing
| so, 900 gallons of water and Of sufficient
height to control Q fire at the highest point Of
any Of the buildings, but find the hose needs
fair state Of repair and appear to be well
| cared for"
| ELEVATORS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED.
The chief of the bureau Of engraving and
printing has notified the Commissioners that
the elevators of the bureau have been repaired
| as recommended by the inspector of elevators,
| and requests that another examination be made
| to determine whether the recommendations re-
ferred to have been fully complied with.
| TAX SALE CANCELS TAXES.
| Yesterday afternoon the Commissioners re-
ceived an opinion from the attorney for the
| the government does not collect all charges due
! on property when it is sold for taxes it may not
| afterward hold the same liable for taxes.
AGAINST M STREET EXTENSION.
]. J. johnson. attorney for George Hughs,
appeared before the Commissioners yesterday
afternoon and filed the following objections to
| the extension of NJ street northeast:
| First, that the law under which said extern
I sion is supposed to be made applies only to
roads, not to streets.
Second, that the law has been repealed SO far
as opening or extension of such streets as NJ
street northeast by act of Congress approved
March 2, 1S99 entitled "An act to provide a
permanent system Of highways in that part OF
the District Of Columbia lying outside Of the
city," and the Commissioners no longer have
authority to decide whether the proposed ex-
tension will be conducive to public convenience
interest, or is required by the public convent,
ence, but the exclusive jurisdiction which de-
termines such question is vested in the Supreme
| Court of the District of Columbia.
Third, that the public convenience does not
in fact require the immediate opening or exten.
| sion Of said NJ street northeast
Fourth, that the said proposed extension il
demanded only for private purposes Of pur
chasers interested in said subdividing adjoining
lands for the purpose of speculation.
Congress. nor has any appropriation been made