Evening star., 1896-03-18

discomfort perhaps suffering, and we are
sure 1t means positive danger to the health
Of this community in the not distant fu-
ture: Already We have had the most con-
vincing proof Of this great danger. and we
have the assurance of our engineer officers
that each succeeding summer and winter
VIII find an increasing -and distressing
short supply Of water.
"A water famine In our midst before re-
lief comes Is not a phantom Of the brain.
but grave possibility, with all its attend
this matter, but the situation is filled with
real danger; and those most conversant
with this subject are most keenly Impressed
with the seriousness of the situation that
now confronts US.
''The sanitary aspect of this subject was
most thoroughly commented upon at the
last meeting of the board, and while too
much cannot be said upon this view of the
caser we need not enlarge upon 1t in this
report, excepting to say that in this lies the
real menace to the city.
Plea for an Abundant SupDly.
"Our plea tonight is for an abundant sup
ply. Senator Mcmillan, a stanch friend of
the District, introduced and has resolution
No. 81 in charge. and may be relied upon to
do all in his power to secure its passage,
but he can be he.red.
"a special committee of one hundred
members Of this board has been chosen to
urge Congress in behalf of q system of sew
erage. Not less important certainly, is this
water question, and we would urge that
every member Of this body make 1t his spe-
cial business to influence such members Of
Congress as he can on behalf Of immediate
and favorable action on this resolution. We
urge entire unanimity on the part of all in
its favor. The resolution embraces all we
need, and we need II all.
I'VE also appeal to all the citizens of the
District that they demand in every legiti
mate way prompt action by Congress OH
this matter. No good reason can be given
for delay; on the contrary. reason and pru-
dence demend immediate action, for no
matter how promptly Congress may act,
there will then remain the two years or
more that ust elapse before the water
supply can be incl eased
lowing to the more than usual muddy
condition Of the water this winter. the sub
ject of filtration has received a gooc deal
of attention and discussion; and perhaps
this report should not close without some
reference to this side OF the water question.
but only to say, however, that while we
agree with all that has been said as to the
healthfulness and pleasure of having wa
ter free from all mpurities-whether it be
mud or bacteria-still we regard the Ques-
ton of quantity as much more pressing and
important than that of quality. inasmuch as
we cannot secure both at the same time.
NO engineer of any standing or knowl-
edge of this subject names a less figure
than one million dollars as the sum re-
thorough and satisfactory filtration. and in
addition to this there would of necessity be
needed large annual appropriation to op-
crate and keep it in order.
Your committee deem this an inappro-
pirate time to move in this direction, and
feel sure we would utterly fail to secure
money for the purpose of filtration at this
session of Congress Some other time in
lively strive for an improved quality of Po-
tomac water.
''One thing at time, SO far as water is
concerned; and the one and all important
thing now is the passage Of the Senate res
olution No. 81 through the present Con-
gress. To the accomplishment of this our
energies should be given.
The Resolutions.
Your committee, therefore, recommend
the adoption of the following resolutions:
BE it resolved, That the board of trade
urgently ask Congress to pass at the
earliest possible moment Senate joint reso-
luton No. 81, for the completion Of the
water supply
Resolved, That the committee on water
supply be instructed to present a copy Of
the foregoing resolution to the District
committees of the Senate and the House.
and to urge the speedy passage of said
joint resolution.
Resolved That this board invites the
active cooperation of the citizens, and
this by seeing or writing such Senator's
and members as they may personally
know"
The DiscGsxiOn.
The resolutions embodied in the report
were seconded by DIR. A. P. Pardon, SO as
to properly bring them up for discussion
This Was started by Mr.. w. E. Dodge,
who referred to the history of the present
Howard University reservoir and the Ly-
decker tunnel, illustrating his remarks by
means of several charts, which showed the
plan and scope of the work.
lie was followed by Mr.. George II.
Harries, who took exception to Mr. Dodge s
statement that the blame for that famous
tunnel rested upon the shoulders of another
man than Maj Lydecker. Mr.. Harrles
said that if such was the case it would be
quite proper for the board of trade to re-
open the whole matter, for Maj Lydecker
was the subject of a court-martial, which
neld him responsible for that great hole in
the ground. He was fined for his share of
the work, and practically banished to a
post far distant from Washington. if Mr.
Dodse's position was a tenable one, then
Maj. Lydecker was the victim of unfortu-
nate circumstances, and in no wise to
blame.
Mr.. T. P. B. Sands also threw some fur
ther light upon the subject Of the tunnel
whereupon Mr.. Greenlees rose and remark
ed tnat the discussion was taking a rather
of the boards province to make or unmake
regulations, and he regretted the evident
tendency to drift away from the gist of
the resolutions as Incorporated in the COM
mittee's report.
DR.. Pardon spoke briefly in the same
vein, and after some remarks from Mr. f.
l.. Siddons, the resolutions were put to the
meeting by Mr.. Noyes. They were adopted
without a single dissenting voice.
Gas and Electric Light Report,
A supplemental report of the special COM
mittee onsgas and electric light in the Dis
trict of Columbia was then called for. 1t
was read by Mr. j. H. Ralston, and was as
follows:
Nearly five months have elapsed since
this committee concluded what it believed
to be its final report. In the interim new
conditions have arisen--conditions that it
was Impossible to foresee, and we believe it
to be our duty to call attention to them in
a supplemental report. After what ap-
pears to be a thorough Investigation into
the cost of manufacturing and distributing
gas, the House of Representatives has de-
clared emphatically-both in the District
appropriation bills and In a separate meas
ure-in favor of lower rates than now pre-
vail. The measure which passed the House
Monday. the 9th instant, authorizes the
Washington Gas Light Company to charge
and collect not exceeding 81 per thousand
feet for illuminating gas furnished 10 and
~ n f~., H.,