Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-21
KENSINGTON'S SEWER
Citizens of That Town Discuss the Cues
ton.
One Says That Legal Rights of Others
VIII Be COnsidereil-The
Local View of 1t.

The citizens of Kensington have still
something more to say the subject of
the protest made against the proposal to
sewer that town into Rock creek. Mr.. NJ
Dorian, a Kensingtonian, writes to The
Star as follows:
THAT everybody reads The Star is
accepted truth-an axiom. The village of
kensington is not behind the times in any
thing, and, consequently, The Star is read
by every person there, and the series of
articles relative to the proposed sewer have
excited great interest, and some criticism
on the ground of unfairness. For this rea-
son l ask space in your columns for a few
words in defense Of our position. To one
unacquainted with the facts The Stars
articles. and especially it's editorial of Tues
day evening, would convey the impression
that this wide-aWake community was a
thoroughly selfish one, and was seeking to
benefit itself at the expense of the rest of
humanity. and Washington humanity in
particular. This is very far from the truth
kensington, as you, Mr.. Editor, very well
know Is a beautiful and progressive vii
lage. We have an electric street car line
street lamps, boardwalks, printing office
newspaper. stores. churches public school,
and what Washington has not, but ought
TO nave free library, and it Is a model
and is named after valiant champion of
free Enthusiastically S. Noyes. The vii
laSe seeks further improvements, and this
sewer is one of them, but 1t does not seek
what 1t cannot obtain lawfully and right
fully 1t will do without or find a substitute
1or The committee which was appointed
by the mayor was not a committee to build
sewer, but one to Investigate and report
upon the best plan to adopt, and especially
as to the feasibility of utilizing Rock creek
The committee has not yet reported. and
In the meantime. kenSington is entitled to
a suspension of judgment, and The Star
should be willing to grant it, OF course If
the committee should report in favor of
utlllzins ROCK creek The Star can renew
Its warfare. but l feel it would be unfair
not to say in advance that if such a report
Is made. in my judgment, based upon
my knowledge of the people of Kensington
the report will be adopted, even If we have
to buy the city of Washington and Rock
creek Park to enable us to put the plan in
operation. 1t will be- big thing for WASH
lnston, and The Star ought not to put any
obstacles IN the way of its consummat ton"
Legal Rights to Be Considered,
kensington follows:
The question Of constructing a sewer
from kensiEston to have its outlet in
Rock creek has been quite freely discussed
IN your editorial and news columns 1t
would appear to be not out of place to say
something here as 10 the origin of the
proposition and the conditions which cali
ed it forth
The mayor and council in the course of
their duties felt called upon to consider the
subject of sewage disposal, in order that
the high degree of healthfulness now ex-
isthg at hensingtou shall not be preju-
diced by unsantary conditions. TO the
end that action by the council might be
taken advisedly and intelsently. the
mayor. by resolution of the council invited
the citizens of kensington to meet and
discuss the matter with them. The meet
ing was held and numerous suggestions as
10 the course to be pursued We're offered,
among them the suggestion which has ap-
parenty met with the disfavor of The
Star and of District officials, including the
ROCK Creek Park commission. The pro-
posed sewer would have its outlet in Rock
creek, mile distant from kensinston, at
point eight miles from Washington and
-FOUR miles above the northern limits of
Rock Creek Park. But this was only one
or several Views submitted. Others con-
tempated destroying all sewer deposits by
chemical processes, etc. The result of the
discussion was the appointment by the
mayor of a committee to investigate the
matter and report its conclusions and
recommendations to the council within two
weeks. This committee has not yet re-
ported. Whatever may be the nature OF
Its report. the council will feel constrained
to press the question to a final determine
ton, in arriving at which the healthful-
ness of Kensington snail be considered a
factor of first Importance: but, assuredly,
no action will Nv taken which will not
stand the test of a review by the courts.
The views expressed as to the legal and
sanitary aspect of the matter, from the
District standpoint, through the medium
Of your columns by Commissioner Powell.
Gen. Casey, and members of the Rock
Creek Park commission. while entitled to
respectful consideration by reason of the
standing of those gentlemen in their re-
spectiVe professions are after all mere eX-
parte opinions and will not preclude care
full inquiry into the feasibility of the pro-
posed sewer. in connection with the general
subject. Yet, in no event would the coun-
ell act without a complete understanding
of the legal rights both Of kensngton and
nj hT, trio Nhn of X nc N TON
are enterprising and progressive and. as
evidenced by the sentiment of the meeting
referred to, will not be content with
ditons which exist at many places having
much larger population and greater re-
sources.