Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-23
cha1ac is the pollution of the water sup

character is the pollution of the water sup
ply.
Why not, then, it is asked, approach the
problem directly by securing water sup
ply which Is free from all danger of local
contamination? If, for example, such a
place as Kensington and the neighboring
suburban settlements which are in SINH
lar position should unite their forces and
build an aqueduct at some point where a
supply of pure water could be secured and
have it piped into the various places, then
it is claimed that it would make very little
difference what disposal of the sewage
matter was made in the settlements them
selves.
Cesspools could be built or surface drain
age could be employed and the ground
could be saturated with sewage matter and
unless the places became compactly built
up this condition If affairs would consti-
tute no danger to the public health. Not
until these scattered centers of population
become compactly built-up towns would 1t
be necessary to provide system of sew
erage. When that time is reached the cost
of such an improvement would be divided
up among larger number OF people and
the burden TO the Individual taxpayer
would be considerably less.
If it would not be possible to secure a
water supply from any other source, a
reservoir could be built, and the water
could be pumped from the Potomac. 1t
would be a great gain to all suburban set
Elements if water could be obtained free
local supply.
CultivatinE the Parking.
One of the features of city life at this
time of year is the furnishing up, so to
speak, of the parking which forms a gen.
erous and attractive expanse of green in
front of a large majority of the residences.
Although this section of green sward is a
Part of the street. the expense of caring
for it is borne by the individual house
holder, and. as a rule, as much pride is
taken in It's appearance as If 1t were pri-
vate property.
Wherever a sidewalk has been laid down
by the District government under the new
system of reServing a strip between the
sidewalk and the curb for grass, prac-
teal addition has been made to the lawn
of the householder. The city authorities
do not undertake to cover this strip with
grass, but it is expected that each house
holder will give it the same care as he has
been accustomed to take with the parking.
If this expectation is realized. the beauty
of the streets of the city will be materially
enhanced.
There is another advantage of this new
system. which probably led to its adoption,
and that is by reducing the area of the
sidewalks to be laid it is possible to use
better material and to put down a superior
sidewalk. 1t is believed that when the GUS
tom of having a strip of green. grass on
the outside border of the sidewalk. well
as on the inside, becomes pretty gen.
eral, citizens will be careful about en-
croaching on the green sward. With a
little attention, both on the part of the
hCuseholders and the citizens generally, it
is believed that the new system of laying
sidewalks will add materially to the at
Effectiveness of the city.
Some improvements.
w. e. Chandler has taken out a permit
for the erection of building on 14th street
which is expected to be quite an addition
to that business thoroughfare. 1t is to be
at 1910 18th street, three stories and base
ment and is to be used as a store. The
front is 20 feet and is to have rectangular
show window. Brick is to be used in the
construction which is all to be first-class in
quality. Joseph c. johnson has prepared
the plans for the building.
Another Improvement of considerable In
terest comes in the form of a row of dwell
sings which are to be erected on Willard
street, 1717 to 1927. In all six houses are to
be built, at an estimated cost of Ss3000. and
the accepted plans by N. T. Halter. the
owner give an idea of what they are to be-
Stone and brick both are to be used in the
fronts which are to be relieved by bay
windows. The roofs will be mansard style
with thing and tin, and the buildings are
to have all modern improvements. They
are to be three stories in height, on con-
crete foundation, II feet front. Hot water
is to be used for heating.
The Brghtwood Railway Company has
taken out permit for the erection of Its
new car house. which is to be built on
Brightwood avenue near the Military road
The structure is to be of brick, one story
in height, and with iron roof. 1t is to be 81
by $50 feet in size, and is to be set back 10
feet from the present line of the road. w.
B. Wood is the architect, and the estimated
cost of the improvement is 5000.