The morning times., 1896-06-07
APPEAL FOR MORE WATER
Commissioners Urge Completion
of Aqueducl Tunnel.
BOARD PREDICTS A FAMINE
Pressure Often Less Than REQUIRED
for Adequate supply 10 High Areas.
UneXpended Balance In Treasury
Should Be UtiiiZed-FiremenT Trans
ferred to Permanent Roll.

The District Commissioners yesterday
again called the attention OF Congress 10
the imperative need of Immediate provis-
ION for the completion of the Aqueduct
tunnel, rciterating the arguments they
! made in that regard in a communication
| under date of February 81.
A IL other District legislation, the board
says, is of less Importance to the people
than That one item, and an appeal is
made for the required appropriation.
IL has been repeatedly shown To Con
gress that, with existing facilities. tie city
is in danger of a water famine. The pres
sure at times falls short of that required
| for the higher attitudes, notably onsCapitOl
Hill. The demands upon the service are
| increasing annually and the equipment
is not beng improve ut a corresponding
rate.
With this condition of affairs staring them
in the face, with ample data ut hand, Con
gressis upon the eveor Adjournment without
providing for relief, the Commissioners be
lleve, and the effort yesterday To induce
favorable action upon the proposed ap-
preparation for completing the tunnel is
made as forceful as language anu a pre-
sentation Of facts can express.
MONEY ON HAND.
The money necessary, or a large part
|
uneXpended balance from the original ap-
preparation for the tunnel. without Iegis-
lation II can be used for no other purpose,
ami the prupDSa made blythe Commissioner
was that tile fund thus available should be
expended ut once. The Commissioners alSC
prOffered II have an equR amount taken at
once from the District revenues, without re
quiring the United States To advance all
the money ana await reimbursement under
the rule.
This proposition is now under debate
in conference. the House objecting. There
can he but one Of three reasons for opposing
it, it is claimed. The first is that the
house does not want the idle money TO
be used; another that the plan for com
piction OF the tunnel is not feasible and
that the report made is not deemed to be
trustworthy, ana the third is that there
exists no necessity FOR an increase in the
water service.
Whatever the objection the Commits
sioncrs are fearful that the item will he
stricken out, and have made this last
appeal.
MINOR DISTRICT NOTES.
Two probationary pryates, Earnest Raum
aud George II. Reynolds, were yesterday
transferred to the permanent roll of the
fire department, having served Il term Of
twelve months TO the satisfaction OF the
chief.
The Commissioners yesterday returned
to Congress the bin introduced TO transfer
the United states title in the square south
ot square ,OO1, TO the heirs of Philip
OtterbeCk, with the recommendation that
it be referred to the Department of Justice.
President Cleveland has been asked by
the Commissioners 10 reappoint Capt. N.
y. Austin a notary public for the District.
it being necessary for him To be able To
administer oaths as member of the police
trial board.
james Gaghan. who has served q salts
factory probationary term of welve months
was yesterday appointed a fireman in the
District fire DEPARTMENT.