Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-09
Bad Work Of Twenty Years Ago
Makes Trouble Now.
ATTORNEYFOR STREET EXTENSION CASES
An Important Amendment to the
Building Regulations Considered.
OTHER DISTRICT NEWS

trouble was that in nearly every instance
the roots of trees had found their way
through small openings in the pipes where
they We're imperfectly Joined and complete
ly stopped the sewer. 1t was further dis
covered that a most peculiar system of
laying sewers existed in those days. Now,
when one of these sewers is exposed it re-
sembles a rail fence, so irregular is it. 1t
seems the idea in those days was to test
the ground at one point, and take for
granted the remaining 100 feet was alike,
and so ahead with the sewer. This made
faulty foundation in many places, and the
pipe. sinking in the soft places, pulled the
joints of the pipe apart and caused all the
trouble. Again. 1t seems, the contractor
when building his sewer conceived a pc
culiar method of getting around obstruc-
tons. Instead of cutting out big stone
or stump, where it barred the way of
straight course, the contractor would build
the sewer around it, This was not a very
desirable feature, and gave rise to any
number of complaints of stoppage of sew
age. Whenever one of these badly con-
structed sewers is uncovered now, the work
is usually followed by a recommendation
for new sewer.
The Street Extension Cases.
The Commissioners are discussing the ad-
visibility of employing special counsel to
hendle all street extension cases which
arise in the courts. These cases are so
numerous that it requires the constant at
tertion Of a lawyer and the work OF the
attorneys Office is of such magnitude as
to prevent him from handling the matter.
The serious drawback to the appointment
of special cour sci is the fact that there is
no money in the District treasury available
to pay the salary of such counsel, and In
the event of one being selected 1t must be
contingent upon an appropriation by Con-
one commissioners n
portance of Icing properly represented
when these cases come up for trial, ana
will doubtless find an attorney willing to
undertake the work.
Little Opposition Looked For.
The fate of the bill amending the high
way act to cover the defects in the existing
law, as pointed out from time to time by
The Star. is of great concern to the au-
tho rites. and the Commissioners are
Strengthening their case as much as pos
sible in order that the matter may be con-
cisely presented when the bill comes up for
discussion. 1t is understood that Senator
Proctor will be the Districts champion of
the bill, and all of the evidence available
is being compiled to send to him
Little opposition is anticipated to the
bill, and 1t is believed that 1t will become a
law in q very short time.
A New Plumbing Regulation.
The Commissioners have before them for
consideration several proposed amend
ments to the plumbing regulations. These
amendments are, for the most part, of
minor Importance, and relate more to de-
tails than radical changes. There is, how
ever, one of considerable Importance. 1t
relates to stop-cock boxes in the street
The present regulations require that they
shall be placed a certain distance from the
building line. In cases of narrow streets,
the box usually is placed in the sidewalk,
which is not desirable. The new regula-
ton obviates this difficulty by requiring
the box to be placed as near the building
line as possible The style Of the box Is
also to be governed by regulation, and
none will be permitted that cannot readily
be brought to the grade of the street when
the latter sinks.
Electric Lighting.
The representatives of the Potomac Light
and Power Company were at the Commits
sioners' office this afternoon to report the
progress that had been made in the way
of equipping its poles on Tenleytown road
and Grant avenue with incandescent cleo
trio lights. They stated the work had all
been completed and trial made. which
was satisfactory in all respects. The work
under the contract recently made with the
company begins tonight.
They also stated that a contract had
been entered into between their company
and the owners of Cleveland Park to light
the latter with twenty-four incandescent
electric lights of 30-candle power each.
The contract for lighting the Aqueduct
bridge has not yet been signed, for the
reason that the company has not yet Or
yanized, and there is no one to sign as rep
resentative of the company. The wires
have all been laid, 1t is understood.
Next Tuesday the court will decide the
injunction suit of the United States Elec-
trio Lighting Company against the Poto-
mac Electric Light and Power Company,
In1 LOT nv fS
full, the fight for lighting the city will be-
gin in earnest. The Potomac company has
retained Messrs. Britton and Brown as
counsel.
To Abnte n Nuisance.
The health department has been waging
war against the residents and property
owners south of NJ street northwest be-
tween 31st street and the Aqueduct bridge
TIE sewerage facilities in this section are
meager and the residents have been III
the habit of throwing the waste water out
into the street. The grade there is steep
and the water runs into the canal. That
is 1t is supposed to run there, hut much of
tie filth is caught in the interstices of the
street and testers in the sun. The remain
der floods the towpath and makes 1t muddy
and almost impossible. Inspectors have
been paying particular attention to this
section recently, and the result has been
that much of the nuisance has been abated
ard the engineer department mas Deeu NOpt-
ed with applications to lay sewers there
under the permit system.
improvements Ordered.
The Commissioners, today ordered:
That portion CT alley in square BIG be
graded and repaved, under the provisions of
the permit system, at an estimated cost Of
5000.
That the sidewalk space of Cincinnati
street between Columbia road and Rock
Creek bridge be graded. under the provis-
! ions of the permit system, at an estimated
cost of $1,000.
That the sewer in alley between Bladens-
burg road and Trinidad avenue south of
Lewis street be extended twenty feet, to
serve 104I Bladensburg road, under the pro-
visions of the permit system; estimated cost,
$32.
That the sewer in Kentucky avenue be-
tween East Capitol and B streets be ex-
tended twenty-seven feet. to serve lot II.
square 1O14, under the permit system; es-
timated cost, S3S
That the old hydrant at the corner of 18th
and R streets northwest be removed and a
new one erected on the west side of 18th
street between r and S streets northwest;
estimated cost, $50.
That catch basin be constructed at alley