Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-02-21

Popular interest In the citys failing wa
ter supply was considerably In evidence
last night at the meeting Of the board Of
trade. which devoted most of It's session
and all of Its enthusiasm to advocacy Of
the plan which proposes the raising of the
Great Falls dam and incidentally the speed
lest possible use a conveyor Of water
of the now-useless aqueduct tunnel. 1t Is
undoubtedly and unfortunately true that
up to this time the great majority of resi-
dents OF ths District of Columbia have
been but little concerned on this most I'M
portant matter. Good water is an hourly
necessity in all civilized communities. and,
as there Is growth of civilization. so Is
there increase of demand for the natural
fluid for which no substitute can be found.
SO that were this city at a standstill as
to population conditions would neverthe-
less call for more of water than Is now
available. But the city grows wonderfully
and is extending itself. even in these dull
times, and as q consequence there Is al
ready serious shortage In the supply OF
water upon which nearly three hundred
thousand people depend for much Of food,
comfort and health. Economists urge that
considerable water Is wasted, but investiga-
ton fails to develop that carelessness which
Is alleged by those who seem to be impress
ed with an idea that each individual should
be permitted to use just SO much water
every day. Water Is one of the essentials
to such a hygienic condition as those who
are deeply interested in Washingtons well
fare are endeavoring to bring into exist
ence and the supply should be as liberal
as possible. From the authoritative state
ment made by Col. George H. Elliot. the
engineer in charge of the Washington
Aqueduct. the steadily decreasing supply
must, even under the most favorable cir
Gums ances, continue to decrease for quite
eighteen months to come and should the
Senate Observation-Disclosures an inyes-
legation for the appropriation asked by
Col. Elliot-become law, the period will be
heightened at least year. With the fact
and the possibility both within contempla-
tive range there has been an arousing of
public sentiment. but the awakening has
been much less general than it ought to be;
due to the fact that only a few thousand
of the Districts population-dwellers on
the higher levels and in the suburbS-have
suffered directly; the great bulk of the
people have been and to some extent still
are entirely needless OF the prophecies
which they will undoubtedly have occa-
sion to recall before anything can be done
to increase the steadily shortening sup
eyes of great many of the careless ones
and there is today much discussion and
frequent expression of hope as to con-
gressional action favoring the raising Of
the dam The conference committee Is
now engaged on the District appropriation
bill and while at this early period of Its
deliberations 1t Is not possible to Indicate
the committees probable action on this
matter OF vital importance, 1t Is most IN
likely that the appeal of those who are
entitled and qualified to speak for the In
habitants of the District of Columbia Will
be UNDECIDED. With magnificent river like
the Potomac descending to 1t from the
mountains Washington should never lack
for an abundant supply of pure. cold wa
ter. amply sufficient not only for drinking,
bathing and cooking purposes, but for
adjoining the city by developing luxuriant
vegetation. and for prolonging life by thor
oughly purifying the streets and sewers.
and by giving to Washington the health
full cleanliness which is not merely next
to, but which Is municipal godliness.