Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-07-17

claimed area Is composed has induced
rapid and dense growth Of vegetation. In
the summer q large variety Of weeds spring
up and rapidly attain a height of six or
eight feet, while the willow. not heretofore
Indigenous to this part of the river, has
grown from seed dormant In the alluvial
deposits which have been dredged from the
river, covering several hundred acres. The
dense growth has been source of much
difficulty In carrying on the various opera
tions Of the Improvement, and during the
past fiscal year a considerable part OF the
reclaimed area has been cleared up, chiefly
where material was to be deposited uns
der the contract for dredging.
Maintenance.
The improvement has now reached a
stage where some attention needs to be
given the maintenance and preservation of
the reservation. The growth of weeds,
willows and other trees, and underbrush,
which, in the summer season, especially,
render access to the various parts of the
work quite difficult should be cleared up
each year, until the reservation is ready to
be laid out, graded and sown with grass
seed Annual repairs will also be needed
on the wall and reservoir gates.
The proper police supervision Of this ex-
tensive area CT 62l acres has also become
a matter of Importance. In order TO pre-
vent attractions of the law, trespasses, etc,
the reservation should be patrolled by
mounted police or watchmen, and IL is
recommended that annual provision be
made for two Watchmen. 1t is estimated
that $500 will be required per annum for
maintenance.
Long Bridge.
The Long bridge, across the Virginia
channel, was fully described and the neces-
sity for its reconstruction was fully set
forth in the annual report for 1885, to
which reference is respectfully made.
On December 20, 1892. special report
was made on the reconstruction of this
bridge, in which appropriate legislation was
recommended.
i:enc:it to Commerce and Navigation.
The benefits to commerce and navigation
have been most marked. Vessels of the
drausht now engaged in the coal trade
from Georgetown Were formerly unable TO
cross The bar in the Virginia channel. The
increased depth row practicable has de
creased freight rates materially. In the
Washington channel the increased depth
has enabled deeper draught vessels en-
gagged in the ice trade to reach the port.
and freightS have decreased. while increas-
ed width has greatly facilitated The man
aGement of steamers navigating the river.
All of the coal shipped ard most of the
asphalt received pass through the Virginia
channel. The greater part of the ice
ceived and all freightS received by steam
ers come through the Washington channel.
wood and ice also go up the Anacostia
river.
The items Of work remaining TO be COM
pleted are as follows: The dredging of the
Virginia channel and the raising of the
remainder OF the reclaimed area 10 the re-
quired height, the dredging of the tidal
reservoir. the completion of the sea wall
the construction OF the reservoir Inlet and
the completion of the training dixie on the
right of the Virginia channel above the
Long bridge.
The sum of $1J0,0,) can be probably ex-
pehde! during the fiscal year ending juno
30, lS:'>. toward completion of the project
The preliminary report of the board OF
engineers, of February Is, 1SSl, in accord
ance with whose recommendation The frs:
appropriation was made. makes 10 definite
recommendation to the ultimate US. 10
which the reclaimed land shall be put but
1t mas been the decided opinion of the Off
GERS In charge and of The pubic of the Dis
trict OF Columbia that this area should be
set apart for public park purposes