Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-01-07
OF IN. many s.riou. threat. against the public

OF the many serious threats against the public
health none are more formidable than that
foully sluggish stream which winds Its Tester
ing and disease-breeding length between the
banks that few years ago bounded the pure
waters Of Rock creek IL 10 to the removal Of
that sbominable nuisance that Engineer Com
missioner Ro-seIl has really addressed himself
IN . report on the proposition TO cover Rock
creek from Observation-Disclosures extended down
20 the rivers edge. Much time hes evidently
been devoted to investigation; much good may
be done IL the suggestions are adopted. With
admirable lucidity Capt Rossell calls attention
to III. eholsr.-inviting conditions which now
prevail in the region Of the noisome boundary
which separates Washington from Georgetown.
OF course the primary trouble is in the presence
Of sewage which hnds in the creek bed its only
outlet. but the pollution assumes its present
disgusting proportions because the Chesapeake
and Ohio Canal Company's dam prevents
. reasonably rapid fow Of the odorous semi
liquid The primary trouble will be rem, we'd
almost entirely when the system Of intercept
ing sewers recommended by Capt Rossell has
been completed Twice has no estimated for
the execution Of this vitality important pro-
ject, but Congress has never paid half as
much attention to his propositions as th.ir
merit and his earnestness deserved. Compare
lively inexpensive when pu, in operation,
and certainly efficient, this system Of
intercepting sewers should be appro-
pri.fed for and completed with all
possible rspidity. In the meantime there ars
temporary remedies pointed out in this report,
easy Of application. The foodgates Of the
canal dam should be opened nightly as to
give reasonable speed to the current and all
possible assistance should be given the clear
snce by flushing with such quantities Of water
A. can be accommodated behind milldams in
the upper portion OF the creek. From the
sanitary point Of view-and at this time that
IL Overwhelmingly the most important
the Commissioner does not recommend
the srching over Of Rock Greek. The
intercepting sewers will, he saws, do the
work Of removing sewage matter more safely,
speedily and economically" Even were the
gigantic arch constructed nothing but clear
creek water woVld pass through il for by that
time the sewer system in that neighborhood
will he complete. II would be decidedly objec-
tionabls TO have a continuation Of the present
evil great body Of offensive matter forced
on, into the river to spread itself along the
water 'front.' OF tne enure city-and tnls IL What
Capt Rosseu Is endeavoring to prevent. He
believes the safest and best solution Of the
problem involved in the subject covered by his
report to be found in the completion Of the in
sercepting-sewer system and in the District
reguls ton Of the channel Of the then clean
creek He does not forget. though, that q
closer union of the city and its western suburb
may some day be actually necessary, but is
quite positive that such proposition is of less
present importance than the one which in
wolves the health Of every resident. Capt
Ro--en Is right. The arched construction may
be, will be, demanded within a few years; the
publication Of Rock creek must take place at
once.
IL would seem as though immediate relief can
be secured by the Districts purchasing the
canal company's dam and removing it. The
company can easily arrange for the transfer of
iss boats at some point west of Georgetown
without any injury to its business.