The times., 1897-09-23
CAPTAIN BURR's WANTS
Set Forth in His Annual Report
TO the Commissioners.
LIGHTS IN THE SUBURBS
The Assistant Engineer Would Like
to Have Additional Inspectors, an
Increased Salary for Supt. Nc
Fgrland and Street Lights to
Burn From Sunset to Sunrise.

Capt. Edward Burr, the first assistant
engineer commissioner, submitted at the
meeting OF the Commissioners yesterday
an estimate of the appropriations required
for the proper conduct of the several de-
part1nents under his supervision during
the fiscal year of 500.
IL the water department he states that
two additional inspectors are necessary
Tie asks for an increase of $500 In the pay
OF Engineer Mcfarland, the supeTintend-
ent. An additional watchman at a salary
OF $3.50 is asked for, and $500 is needed
for contingent expenses.
Capt. Burr refers to the proposed eX-
tension of the water meter system to all
classes OF consumers. he asks that fer
the extension of the meter system. 80
much as may be available in tile water
fund during the fiscal year 1899, after
providing for the expenditures, be ap-
propriated. he SAYS that If the new ap-
preparation hill permits the expenditure OF
the uneXpended balance from the water
receipts. it viii be poss ible to give each
consumer meter.
He concludes that the purpose is not to
increase the revenues OF the department,
bat To limit the enormous waste which is
daily going on, and which amounts to So
much as 20 deprive number of cjtiZers
living In high areas OF a proper water
supply.
In tie lighting and electricity depart
ment Capt Burr recommends $500 increase
~ 81 10
asks for IA der * for the office at a salary
Of 81 eco.
Capt. Burr asks for dn appropriation OF
S210 700 for the street lighting service
This is an increase of $50,700. He rec
ommends that all the street lamps be kept
burning from fGrtyfIve minutes after sun
set to foruy-fiHe minutes before sunrise.
4 5 te the character OF the lights used, he
says: LAS tho item for street lighting
for some years past has been worded the
Commissioners, in tie erection of street
lamps, have been restricted to the use OF
either the low candle power gas lamp Or
the very high candle power arc lamp.
For mang residential streets the arc lamps
are not desirable by reason Of their obieu
tionable character TO the residents aud Of
their light icing much obstruCted by the
trees at the curb.
AT the same time more light is needed
than IS afforded Jy single gas lamps.
particularly in rapid transit streets. Tn
douhtedly an excellent service can he
had by lamps Of medium high candle
power more 81 tisfactory in many re
spects than either gas or arc lamps ana
at less cost than the latter. While -
is not desirable TO remove from the en-
tire item the restriction as To cost per
lamp and character of burner, a reld
tivelv sraU sum should lac available Tor
purposes of experiment designed 10 Inn
pIove the service -
Capt. Burr recommends that the law be
amended so that stree tsin the suburbs, where
there are now electric conduitS, may be
lighted hy arc lights. He says:
"As the law is now worded, nc street
In tfe C unty can be so lighted, although
at least two of them, Fourteenth street
extended and Columbia road, are occupied
by RAPID transit lines and by electric light
conduits. The same conditions exist within
the city in streets not now lighted by arc
lamps, as the law requires
In the building inspectors office there
is a recommendation for three additional
=
per annum eacu.
An assistant Inspector OF gas and meters
at salary Of $500 per annum is recon-
mended.
Capt. PAIR estimates that for the parking
oon.rnission $4,000 is necessary TO prop
erly conduct the department during the
next fiscal year. This is an increase OF
$4,000, which, Capt. Burr points out,
is needed for the proper maintenance uf
the trees OF the city and their appur-
tenaaces. A casual examination of the
trees, many of which should be replaced
by reason OF their old ard ragged condition,
or Of their undesirable character, Will
Indicate the reasons for asking for this
increase.
with the present amount of the appro-
priation il is not possible to replace all
trees destroyed by storms or otherwise,
aud to keep them in condition necessary
to make them one of the chief beauties
OF Washington, a credit to the city, and
one OF it's distinctive features