Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-02-10
INCREASED WATER SUPPLY
The Present System Totally Inadequate to
the Needs Of the City.
What Gen. Craighin Says Of the Me-
cessity of Completing the
Lydecker Tunnel. -

Surprise is expressed at the apparent
lack of interest in Congress in the move
ment to bring about an increased supply OF
water for the city of Washington. The Of
ficers of the District government have Off
cially reported that the present supply is
totally inadequate to the needs Of the city.
This fact was acknowledged by Congress
at it's last session. when an appropriation
was made for an inspection Of the Lydecker
tunnel in order to determine its availability
for increasing the supply. In calling for
that inspection. Congress also provided as
an alternative proposition, If it were found
that the tunnel could not be utilized, that
some other plan of increasing the water
supply be devised. Acting upon this au-
thority, Gen. Craighill, chief of engineers,
convened q board, composed of the most
expert hydraulic engineers in the country,
to examine the tunnel to determine its
availability for the purpose indicated. This
board completed it's work several weeks
ago, and its report was promptly trans
mitted to Congress.
Complete the Lydeckcr Tunnel.
The board reported that it had thorough
ly considered the subject Of increasing the
water supply of the District and had con-
cluded that the best and most economical
way Of reaching that result was by the
completion of the Lydecker tunnel, with
certain notifications of the original pro-
ject. This report was published in full
in The Star at the time. 1t was Endorsed
by Secretary Lamont and by Gen. Craig
hill. with an earnest recommendation that
authority be given for the completion of
the tunnel in accordance with the plan
submitted. with as little delay as pos
sible."- Their Endorsement Of the plan was
based mainly on the belief that it was
the best and most economical way of
remedying the existing defects in the pres
ent system of water supply and providing
for necessary increased supply.
Gen. Craighill has taken deep personal
intert st in the matter and may be counted
UPON to cooperate in any legitimate move
ment to attain the desired result. He has
unbounded faith in the professional judg
ment of the engineers who inspected the
tunnel, and is willing to stake his repuJa-
ton on the success of the work if faith
fully carried out according to their plans
He meets the objection to the tunnel as
being difficult and expensive to repair by
saying that the only portions difficult of
access will not be in need OF repair unless
they are damaged by an earthquake.
What Gen. Crnigbill Says.
In speaking to a Star reporter on the
subject today he said that the sooner the
tunnel was completed the less it would cost
and the better it would be for the commun-
ity. He said that the temperature of the
tunnel was comparatively stationary, and
was not much affected by the seasons. The
work could progress just as we'll in winter
as in summer, and would never be inter-
rupted by terrestrial rains or storms. AS it
was way down in the bowels of the earth
artificial light was necessary at all times,
so that, if needed. the work could be prose-
cuted by night just as well as by day. He
considered 1t a matter of vital Importance
to all residents of the District that the
work should begin as soon as possible, and
said he was somewhat surprised that the
project appeared to excite so little interest
In Congress, especially as the members of
that body must have personal knowledge of
the poor quality and the inadequate supply
of water under the existing system.