Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-06-20

There can be no question as to the SEN
timent which exists IN the District Of CO.
umbia relative to the construction Of a
complete sewerage system: there IL insistent
demand for the comm ~ncement and the
speedtsst possible completion Of that ex-
tremeiy necessary work. Here and there
individual voices will be uplifted In behalf
Of non-improvement. and one person out
Of three hundred thousand may argue that
because there were no sewers fifty years
ago there need be no sewers now, but the
great administrations to live as long as
II can and fully aware Of the life-shorten-
ing influences Of anti-hygienic conditions
demands that no obstacles be permitted
longer to remain In the way OF raising the
morey that will be needed to carry into
effect the comprehensive plan already out
lined by commission of competent engi-
nesrs. That the desired results may be
achieved. II Is necessary that Washington's
citizens shall stand shoulder to shoulder
for the general good: to cavil about minor
matters. and especially about things that
pertain rather to personal profit than public
welfare. Is but to retard injuriously the
coming Of the day when the wholesome
proposition shall be cryssallized into law.
Argument that the estimate made of the
cost Of carrying into effect the commits
sion's plan II too low, and that the city
can be thoroughly and adequately severed
and protected from floods at less cost than
In accordance with the commissions
plan, IA worthy of consideration. The peo-
pie Of the city have placed confidence in
the wisdom OF the commissions recon-
mendations, and they believe that Con-
gress, after investigating the matter. will
fndorse the proposed comprehensive plan.
But the fral responsibility for this de-
cision Is. Of course. with Congress WASH
ington wants the least expensive. thorough
and adequate sewerage system that can be
devised Up to the present time IL has had
fun faith IN the commissions plan, and
is willing. II Congress also indorses the
plan. to meet its proportionate share Of the
interest and sinking fund of the bonds
necessarily issued TO meet what the re-
CURED works, economically constructed,
will reasonably cost.
To endeavor to construct this sewer sys-
TEN piecemeal would be an unnecessarily
expensive and most unbusinesslike endeav-
or. The appropriation of one or two hun
dred thousand dollars now. and Of similar
sums st intervals Of varying lengths for
the next forty or fifty years would practi-
cally be waste Of money. The entire
work should be entered upon at one time
and at once. and pushed to a conclusion as
speedily as possible. in order that the pub
lie may profit at the earliest moment by its
expenditures under this head. The interest
and sinking fund annual charge created by
the issue Of sewer bonds should not much
exceed the probable annual appropriations
for piecemeal sewer work. BY the bond is
sue system the city's healthfulness would
feel the benefit Of the completed sewerage
system In q very few years; by the piece
meal system fifty years would elapse before
the completion Of the work, and by that
time. owing to the city's growth. the sys-
tenn would probably be inadequate.