The Washington times., 1895-02-16
Contract Awarded for Clearing
Potomac Channel of Ice.
BALTIMORE TUGS EMPLOYED
Hull of the Lady of the Lake Likely to OBJ
struct the River Channel-Eforts At
tempted to Keep 1t Aioat-Amendment
Suggested to Law Governing COndemna-
tion Proceedings-capital Railway Bill.

The Commissioners yesterday closed the
contract with the American Tug and Lighter
ing Company. of Baltimore. represented by
Capt Henry Brown, for the use OF two tugs,
the Hercules and Vulcan, for clearing the
Potomac channel The boat first named is
ll2 feet long and of 154 tons, the latter Sc
feet long. of 60 tons.
The Commissioners say, in explanation OF
their decision, that after consultation with
the harbor master and many of the people
who are conversant with the subject, they
concluded it would be necessary to employ
very large and strong tug for proper effect
upon theice They have made arrangements
upon which they can rely for commencing
the work on Tuesday next. and will employ
the two Baltimore tugs in conjunction with
the government tug Triton, having made
contract wit Baltimore firm TO supply the
latter with a suitable PROV.
In order to facilitate the work OF equip
ment. the Commissioners yesterday addressed
a letter 10 the mayor OF Baltimore requesting
that, in view of the emergency. II not ln-
compatible with the law, the workmen be
permitted 10 do on Sunday the work neces-
sary for the manufacture and attachment OF
the Triton S plow.
MAY EMPLOY LOCAL BOATS
The Commissioners add that they Will be
enabled to employ other crafts belonging to
the city of Washington. should additional
service be necessary. They had conference
with the owners of the Templar, the II. B..
Harlow. William II. Mohler, d. Nj. Key, and
the A. P Gorman and will consider the offer
made. in case the use OF their boats is found
necessary.
The testimony OF all of the owners of all
the tugs, they assert. is TO the effect that one
large boat Of the type of the Hercules Is re-
duired 10 enable the others 10 do effective
work.
The Commissioners received late yesterday
afternoon an approved copy Of the joint reso-
luton adopted by Congress appropriatlng
| IS. 600 for the work.
The Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Com
pany has not responded 10 the request OF the
Board for its cooperation with the District
| in the prevention of a gorge and overflow.
The burning of the Lady of he Lake, a
vessel owned by the Peoples Transportation
| Company, and used rs an excursion boat
! during tie summer months, was the occasion
/ OF a conference at the District Building yes
! terday. 1t was ascertained that the hull of
the boat was rapidly filling with water an d
! liable to sink and obstruct the channel, and
| Chief Paris was directed TO employ an en-
| gine in the effort 10 p1mp the craft and keep
! il afloat.
This falling Of success, the harbor master
was instructed to procure of the Ii. l.. Gram
ford Company pulsometer, and TO employ
it for the purpose of clearing the hull. and
keeping it from going to the bottom.
PULsoMETER NOT AVAILABLE.
Harbor Master Sutton made an effort tc
carry out the order, but upon investigating
the workings of the pulsometer he discovered
that a steam boiler would be necessary il
order 10 utilize il. aud he so reported to tht
Commissioners. No further action was taken
The cost of the work, il means can be iounC
TO execute it, is to be paid by the District, al
4 there is no way of compelling the company
| to do it. The expense incurred will be sllgh
compared to what will be necessary in cast
! the boat should become submerged, as. II
the estimation OF those qualified to judge
the cost of raising the hull from the bottom
would exceed 81 .009.
The present law governing the condemna
| tion proceedings in the matter OF opening
| alleys being inadequate, the Commissioner
| submitted to both Houses OF Congress yester
/ day the draft of bill prepared TO amend th'
| original act. They say IL is 1mpracticaDle L
| Apply the present law, because it fails 10 pro
| vide for processes issued by the United State
| marshal and makes no provision Tor tn
| transportation of juries to and from the lan'
which may be subject to condemnation.
Health Officer Woodward expresses tn
| hone that some of the more important meas
ures in which his department and the medica
| fraternities are interested will be passed a
the present session of Congress.
SOME IMPORTANT MEASURES.
Without distinguishing, DIR. WOODWARD
yesterday designated as desirable Legislation
the bill authorizing the Commissioners t
enforce sanitary regulations, the bill to regu
late the sale Of milk, the bill which provides
among other things, penalty for the desc
Grafton Of graves, the bili establishing an IN
ebriate asylum. the medical and surger
measure. the bill regulating the organization
and control Of medical colleges. and the iten
in the appropriation bill providing for tn
smallpox hospital.
Thomas l. Waters. attorney for the pro
posed Capitol Railway Company, was befor
the District Commissioners yesterday after
noon. in the interest OF the bill pending be
fore Congress for its incorporation, and pro
viding for lis right Of way over certain Dis
trict streets.
The Commissioners yesterday returned tn
bill to Congress, requesting that the secon
part Of the route OF the road be made NOR
definite, and that an issue OF bonds be nc
authorized.
Orders issued yesterday
That a public hydrant be erected q
Eighteenth and A streets southeast.
That the public wells at First street south