Evening star., 1896-11-03

lined tunnel to be about 276,604 gallons per
twenty-four hours. Another determination
Of the leakage made by the officer now in
charge Of the aqueduct in December, 1885.
and January, 1896, gave a result of 2S6 963
gallons for the same period.
Upon recommendation of the chief Of
engineers, approved by the Secretary Of
War. an expert commission was appointed
to report upon the feasibility of completing
the tunnel conduit. After a careful study
Of the subject and thorough inspection Of
the tunnel conduit. and the works connect
their report, which concluded with the
statement that 1t is our unanimous judg-
ment that it is feasible to complete the
tunnel conduit. with its appurtenances,
ready for service, for the sum Of 1887 ,S31,
as stated in our estimate, and we believe
that such completion will not be imprac-
tlcable or too expensive, inasmuch we
know of no more economical method for
bringing increased water supply from the
reservoir in Georgetown to Washington by
pipes or otherwise
"As an essential part Of this system. it is
necessary to complete the new reservoir
near Howard University at an estimated
additional cost of $19S, S,O133O.
In view of what precedes, I therefore
recommend that the sum of $65OOOO be
made Immediately available for resuming
the work of completing the tunnel conduit
between the distributing reservoir and the
new reservoir near Howard University, and
lor the other works connected Herewith
Including the latter reservoir
In this connection it Is important to
state that a balance of over $26G OGO of the
appropriations made by the act of 1882 and
subsequent acts for increasing the water
supply of Washington, ID. c. remains un-
expended IN the treasury Of the United
states. This sum should be made avail
able for the purposes just indicated, there
py reducing the amount to be appropriate ted
anew to the difference between this unax-
IA traa I,I,o
of S6oOOGO recommended as necessary for
resuming work.
Responsibility of the Chief Of En-
gineers.
Under existing laws, the chief of en-
slreers. U. S. A, has the immediate SUPER
lhtendence of the Washington aqueduct
ana OF everything connected with the same
belonging to the United States. His au-
thor1ty Is required to tap all water pipes
lald by the United States. He Is in no Way
responsible to the authorities of the Dis
tr!ct or Columbia, though the estimates re-
lat1ng TO the maintenance and operation of
me aqueduct are required by law to be SUBJ
HAtleu 10 the Secretary Of the Treasury by
the commissioners of the District The ra
spohsiplnty Tor the care, storage and dis
trlbutiCn of the water supply of the DiS
erlct lies SeVerally upon the chief of en-
S!neerS ana the District commissioners II
"ouid Seem proper that all the responsibili-
~ ol oEeratlng the complete system Of wa
yer supply should rest with the officials Of
~ ne t Distrlct alone and that when the work
OF constructing additional parts of the svs
TEN is assigned to the chief of engineers.
uiluet tfe war Department, the additional
structure, when completed should be turn
ed over TO the District authorities To onar
ate. ~ opei-
ne notifications of sections lsoO 1SO3
anu 1917 or the Revised Statutes. in ac
cordance with the above views. and tho cx-
:n .thsion or the authority of the Commits
sioherS OF tne District over all compIeted
structures pertaining to the water sunnlv
Mhether within or without the limits Of ho
DiStrict, are recommended" '