Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-07-14
NEEDS OF ANACOSTIA.
River Improvements, Sewers and 9th
improvements Asked for by Citizens.


Improvements Asked for by Citizens.
When the Anacostia Citizens Association
meets again several questions Of strong local
import viii come before it for earnest consid-
GRAFTON. The reclamation Of the flats is an i'm
provement which the citizens know they need
and believe they deserve. A few years ago the
Anacostia river was one of the fairest and
brightest sheets Of water in the country. Sail
ing craft came up to the town and yachting
was a standard amusement with the people. In
dredging the navy yard channel from Buzzard
Point to the Auacostia bridge the contractor
was permitted to dump the excavsted material
in on the shoals near the village side Of the
river. This process was always prosecuted at
flood tide and at ebb these mud dumps were
exposed. The las. channel work, and which
was part of the general plan of harbor improve
ments, comprebended the building of an en-
bankment Of excavated material around the
south bank Of the channel, where it runs east
and west; along the southeast side, where it
runs northeast and southwest and thence in
direct line from Buzzard to Poplar Point The
effect of this has been to make the home river
a lake with only such tidal outlet as afforded by
the narrow channel. People on this side be-
heve that this was done with q view to the river
filing by natural processes. At ebb tide now
the river bed ia exposed and the grasses grow
Ing thereon present an uu5oemly SPECTACLE anu
an offensive odor.
SEWERS WANTED.
The Compromised system Of sewers is q sub
ject of very general agitation. When the water
mains were put down year or two ago, and at
general understanding that sewers were to fol-
low at once. The water main system Is Of little
advantage without sewers. As q rule those
sewers which are laid are more Of a nuisance
than blessing. One crosses diagonally under
Harrison street, runs through Q piece of pri-
damages against the District annually, and
then empties on piece Of marsh land hard by
the town. Local physicians and the health de-
partment declare this to be dangerous The
Monroe street sewer breaks off abruptly at the
causeway of the bridge and forms a cesspool OF
always carry of. The great brick sewer
which runs through the Temple subdivision
has thus far been of not the slightest use to the
town. At the tune when the work was being
done the Citizens ASSOCIATION, the local press
and the townspeople generally protested and
made harsh charges against the engineer de-
partment. 1t was claimed that the District
was putting this sewer through private property
at a time when one public sewer was washed
out and others in need of repair. 1t was
claimed that the Temple property was not sub
divided and streets dedicated to the District
until after the sewer had been laid. Then the
sewer which runs under Navy place caused
much discomfort. This conduit has no con-
nection with the water system Of the town, but
helps to relieve the watershed in times of wet
weather. Anacostians are not satisfied on the
sewer question.
Then Anacostia wants the garbage service ex-
tended to it. This has been recommended and
promised by the proper authorities, and will
soon be done, so the populace believes.
FREE DELIVERY.
The extension of the free postal delivery sys-
tenn to the town is also one Of the local wants.
This subject has been under consideration for
two years. 1t has been repeatedly promised by
the postal officials. Petitions on this theme
terviews have been had with mail dignitaries.
and the Citizens Association has never failed
to render an encouraging report. The
principal obstacle to the operation of
the plan is that much Of Anacostia is
scattered through the hills, where
the ways are dark and dreary. where the gas
lamp is a stranger and the football of the sido-
walk is not heard. The extension of the de-
livery system to this town means the creation of
a fourth-class post office at Hillsdale, q large
settlement Of colored people to the south of
Anacosta. Anacostia also wants rapid transit,
better stage facilities with the outlying dis
tricts of Garfield, Good Hope Heights For
estville, Pipetown, Benning, Bladensburg,
Pumpkintown, Centreville, Silver Hill. Suit
land. Marlboro. Camp Springs, Surrattsville,
Brandywine, Oxon Hill. Accokeek, Temples
Mill. Pennington and Piscstaway.
NEED OF POLICE STATION.
The town also needs, and needs badly, police
station. At present the police Of this part of
the fifth precinct are quartered in an unsuitable
building. furnished with no modern appliances
for comfort. and for which the District pays a
large rental.
PROTECTION FROM FIRE.
An engine and hose house is wanted. too.
The fire plugs are Of little avail if steamer has
to come from town and perhaps be blocked by
the appraised draw of the bridge. Anacostia
is frame city and ought to be allowed reason
able protection from fire. its inhabitants say.