Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-07-22

Of filling required to raise the area to the
grades established by the project Of iss2
The amount Of al required over that orig
This Increase In full IL due In part to the
change in grade Of section III, made IN
1884. in part to shrinkage snd drying out Of
dredged material. but chiA1ly to the settle
Just mentioned. The training dixie on the
Virginia side Of the channel, added to the
project IN 1890. and the estimated increase
in cost Of inlet gates have also been factors
in the revision Of estimate. The increase
In estimated cost il $236,6b5. which. when
one considers that the original estimate
was made about 1882 and that the work.
since then, has been subject to fluctuations
In prices Of labor and materials. and has
by any means large for such work as 10
under consideration.
1.-The Improvement has now reached q
stage where attention needs to be given
the maintenance and preservation Of the
reservation. The growth of weeds and un-
derbrush, which. In the summer season es-
pecially renders access to the various parts
Of the work difficult. should be cleared up
each year. until the reservation is ready to
be laid out and graded. Annual repairs
will also be needed on the wall and reser-
voir gates.
THE proper police supervision Of this ex-
tensive area Of 621 acres has also become a
matter Of Importance. In order to prevent
attractions of the law. trespasses, &c. the
reservation should be patrolled by mounted
men. and 1t is recommended that annual
provision be made for two watchmen.
Benefits to Commerce and Navigation.
Regarding the improvement Of the fats,
the expert says:
THE benefits to commerce and naviga-
ton have been most marked. Vessels of
the draught now engaged in the coal trade
from Georgetown were formerly unable to
fho hor IN, he
increased draught now practicable. has de-
creased freight rates materially. In the
Washington channel the increased depth
has enabled deeper draught vessels en-
gagged In the ice trade to reach the port
ana freights have decreased, while in
creased width has greatly facilitated the
management Of steamers navigating the
river. All OF the coal shipped and most of
the asphalt received pass through the Vir-
ginia channel. The greater part of the ice
received and all freights received by steam
ers come through the Washington channel.
wood and Ice. however, also go up the
Anacostia river.
The value Of the commerce to be bene-
nted may be judged by examination OF the
Following table showing the commerce of
the port of Washington, in tons, from 1887
TO 1893. inclusive: 1887. 1912; 1SXS $751;
5,5; 1852 $50: 1890, $40, 696: 1891. E51,-
219: 1892 768.954: 1893, 653, 433; 1894 044-
bsS: 1895, 500. $50; 1885, 723, 657
The sum asked for the fiscal year end
In furtherance Of the project.
Potomac Park.
Congress. by act Of March 8. 1897, set
aside the reclaimed flats for public park
In the following words:
BE 1t enacted by the Senate and House
of Representatives Of the United States of
America in Congress assembled. That the
entire area, formerly known as the Po-
F1nv hofn Lott
gether with the tidal reservoirs, be. and
the Same are hereby, made and declared a
public park. under the name Of the Potomac
Park. and to be forever held and used as
e park for the recreation and pleasure of
the people,
The land areas Of the reclaimed flats az
gregate 621 acres; the areas Of the tidal
reservoirs aggregate lis acres. These flats
are capable OF being transformed into one
OF the finest parks in the country
THE present project for creation of the
reclaimed area contemplates carrying the
work (the fill from deposit Of dredged ma
teriaO to an elevation OF three feet above
the flood plane Of 1877. The exceptionally
high flood Of 1889. however, exceeded that
OF 1877. at the site Of the fats, by about
three feet If the raising of the flats be
limited to the elevation contemplated in
the present project, the river surface, in
case of another flood equal to that of 1889.
Will stand at about the same level as the
highest surface Of the reclaimed fats Al
though such floods seldom occur, and, when
they do occur. are generally of short dura-
tion, the surface Of the park should be
high enough to secure it's areas. drives. etc,
against injury from any flood. It will
probably meet requirements II the entire
acreage Of the reclaimed area be carried
to an elevation Of about three feet above
the flood plane Of 1889. Such increase, in
Guiding the necessary strengthening and
readjustment Of sea wall and contingent
cies. would probably cost. according to
present prices, about 81 900 600. This in
addition to the cost of completing the re-
clamation Of the flats under the present
project"