Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-25

and when Gen. Meigs conceived and car
ried out the idea Of taking advantage of
1T Washington had the most perfect sys-
tenn to be had anywhere. But today the
demand for water has grown to enor-
nous extent, and the facilities for supply
ing are disgraceful. Now, this house in
which l live is situated in one of the most
delightful neighborhoods in Washington,
where the houses are Of superior character
and their occupants the leading people Of
the city. On the second floor Of this house
the water merely dribbles from the spigots,
while in the third story it never runs ex-
cept between the hours of l and in the
morning. Then when 1t rains the water Is
so discolored and dirty that it is unfit to
wash in, much less to drink or use for
cooking. Why, l haven't taken bath in
this house since have been in it. l make
frequent trips to New York. and 1 do my
bathing over there. There should be two
large settling reservoirs built without de-
lay and of sufficient capacity to supply the
whole city; even in its highest point, with a
full and abundant supply Of clear water.
Sewerage improvements.
1.-The necessity for improved sewerage IA
cilities is just as great as that for a proper
water supply" continued the governor.
THE Eastern branch and Rock creek
should be considered first and foremost in
the study of this problem. Rock creek if
1t is not shortly taken care of will become
nothing short of a pest hole The growing
communities of kensington Garrett Park
and the other places lying along its banks
are already sending their sewerage into
this stream, l believe, and row the resi-
dents in the northwestern suburbs are
clamoring for sewers, which they desire
shall empty into Piney branch OF course
1t all comes into Rock creek. and the wa
ter in that stream is too sluggish to carry
it off Over on the other side of the city
the conditions will be the same eventually
If the f,1 hrarph
Sewerage facilities should be extended to
every section Of the District that Is thickly
populated, but the work should begin at the
river front, and in the already densely pop
ulated sections, be continued thence back
Compliments for the Chnirmen.
Il would like to say, before / close" said
the governor, that the citizens of the
District have a great deal to be thankful
for in having two such splendid, careful,
pa.nstaking and well-eQuipped men at the
head of the District committees in Con-
6ress as Senator Mcmillan and Represen-
tative Babcock. 1 do not know either of
these gentlemen personally, but have been
struck with their loyal championship of the
best interests of the District, and l believe
am safe in saying that they are as care
1ul or this community as they would be if
1t was a portion of their own constituent
cies."
Gov Shepherd expressed himself feeInsly
about the manner in which he had. been
treated since his return TO Washington, not
only by his old friends, but also by those
WEo were once his enemies. His approach
ing mp brought up the subject Of railroads.
and he said with much emphasis:
by the way, there is another thing that
should be remeied here-the imperious des-
potlsm eXerted by the railroads. If we had
form of government such l suggest
with cabinet officer at its head and the
all-powerful influence of the rational gov
eminent behind him. there would be an
ehd TO this railroad rule In the District. The
two depots here, Baltimore and Potomac
and Baltimore and Ohio would be disgraces
Ill a community Of 100000 people, and the
way those roads Keep numbering people
city streets, is simply damnable"