The Washington times., 1895-03-31
Probable New RuIe Affecting
Street Cars at Crossings.
INTENDED TO LESSEN DANGER
Subject Not Discussed in Board, but Two
Members Express Their Views-0rdsr.
for Public Work Issued Yesterday
Thomas Lucas. Once sub-inspector of the
Lydscker Tunnel Construction, Explains.

1.-The tendency in other cities is to re-
quire the street cars to stop on the near
side of street crossing, and it is, in my
Major Powell to Times reporter yes,
terday I'VE have not decided TO en-
force that rule in Washington, but at the
same time the reasons for the reverse rule
have disappeared, except, perhaps, in the
suburbs.
"The cable and electric systems have
replaced the horse cars in large degree,
and the streets are more generally paved
than they used to I've. There is not the same
reason for stopping car where the en-
trance to it will be most convenient TO
good crossing. To require the cable and
electric cars to receive and discharge pas
sengers before instead of after crossing
a street will greatly lesses the danger.
Col Truesdell expressed substantially
the same views. He said the matter had
not come before the board, but that per-
sOnally he knew OF no good reason why the
cars propelled by cable and electric power
should not be required 10 stop before
crossing a street, and he did not believe
the companies would object to the arrange
ment
ORDER WILL BE ISSUED.
1t is apparent from these expressions
of views that the Commissioners Will take
action upon this matter as soon as suffi-
cient time can be given to its consideration.
The order Will doubtless be issued not
only to change the rule as TO the stopping
place, but also to require the fast street
railways to slow up at all crossings, as a
precaution against poss ible collisions
with vehicles.
Orders issued yesterday:
That the fire hydranton the north side OF o
street, between Firstand Third streets north
west, be removed, the same being inthe way
of the proposed widening of the street.
That a cement sidewalk be laid infTont Of
No. 925 New York avenue northwest, under
the permit system
That a catch basin be constructed in alley
square I12, Georgetown.
That a sewer IN Harvard street northwest,
between Thirteenth and Fourteenth streets,
be added TO the schedule OF sewers 10 be built
when Cong makes the necessary appropri
alton
That four eaten basins be constructed in
street, between Thirteenth and Fourteenth
streets northwest.
That the auditor of the District is directed
10 deduct 'front.' the retaiuof Cotten& BouldeD,
under contract 2009, the sum Of ST 20 fol
work done by the superintendent OF streets
in repaving sidewalk over sewer laid by said
firm.
That a cement sidewalk. instead OF hricl
asprevioaSly ordered, be laid in front OF Nos.
H26 TO $50 Fourth street northwest.
That the sum OF $40 900 be takenfrom the
water fund for the purpose Of continuing the
extension of the high service system of water
distribution, as provided for in the District
appropriation act
That the public well in \ street southwest
between First and Second streets, be
abandoned.
Permits for repairs were issued by the
building inspector yesterday, as follows
Tobias TaIbert, improvements TO store
and dwelling, No. 701 II street northwest
$500: Mrs. Ada Cochran, brick addition tC
dwelling, No. AIS Eighth street southeast
$500.
LYDECKER TUNNEL DISCUSSED.
Referring to the proposed test OF the Ly
decker tunnel, for which Congress recently
made an appropriation, Thomas Lucas, who
was a sub-inspector on the tunnel while il
wasunder construction. has written an oper
letter copy of which has been furnished tc
the Engineer Commissioner OF the District
in which he details at grcatlength his views
of its present condition and expressing the
opinion that there is no trouble about the
durability of the aqueduct. The rock in the
| tunnel, he says, with some few exceptions
| j 6 hard and firm, although, there are many
! leaks through seams.
ate fS n
| he saws, the workmanship VIII be found tC
4 be Just as it was when the tunnel was
! abandoned, and that VIII demonstrate th'
| fact that there is no pressure at all L
| the deptl-or height-where the tunnel vii
be filled by its own creation, except a
| Rock Creek, and the rock there, he thinks
is sufficiently strong for all purposes.
MIR. Lucas, jas appears from his letter
was cognizant of the existence OF fraudu
lent WORK in the tunnel, and says be wa
not permitted to report it to the eDginee
| in charge but did report daily to the chic
inspector He was cautioned to make NJ
| more reports o: fraudulent work, and wa
| Informed that so long as he did his owI
work properly he should not seek to in
terfere with others.
Mr.. Lucas saws he was finally put off til
| work, though not dismissed, the chief in
spector putting him out by discontinuin
the construction of the section upon whic
he was engaged. He then reported {
Major Lydecker the manner III which tn
work had been executed, which resulted i
bringing ali of the men out.
HE ALLEGES CoLLUSION
Lucas charges gross fraud in the cor
stIuction of the tunnel, and says there wa
collusion between the chief inspector an
a sub-contractor, named Palmer. The il
spectore, he says, were previously at III
reservoir, and worked there under Pa
mer They We're appointed to their place
in the tunnel, he alleges, upon Palmer
{ recommendation, and he could control thel
as he pleased.
The engineers il charge, IIc8s says, wei
kept in ignorance by the Chief inspecto
who made it appear that the work VIZ
being done in workmanlike manner.
There is no trouble, he adds, about Il
utility Of the tunnel; it is all right, al
can be made to discharge its proper fun'
tions.
The architects who drew the plans Il
the Lafayette Square Opera House hay
placed in the possession OF the buildin
a handsome India ink sketch OF the builC
ing as it will appear when complete
The view is perspective, showing the fro
and the south side projections with sic
view of Senator Camerons residence.
The balcony on the front at the siNt
story elevation is shown, with the ope
ings through which The public will pa
TO and from the promenade that W
connect with the proposed "roof gal
den.'' The sketch is well executed, al
gives very fair advance impressit
of the architectural beauties which the pr
jectors claim for the coming palati
opera house.
President Ross was indisposed yeste
day, and unable to attend at the Distri
building The expected apHointmen
OF school trustees were therefore not q