Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-19
CAPT.BLACK'SREPORT
CONTINUED from First Page.)

The weight of a motor car varies from
1J,UOU to 10000 pounds, and when loaded
with people its weight must be considered
in computing the strains 30 900 to 80, OOO
pounds. The Navy Yard bridge was never
constructed to bear such strains. In addi-
ton to this, the structure is a very UNI
slightly one and inadequate to meet the de-
mands of travel, and should be replaced by
a better new structure, for which estimates
have been submitted.
In the last appropriation act the Commits
sioners were directed to obtain by COMPETE
ton plans for a bridge across Rock creek
on the line of Connecticut avenue extended.
1t Is expected that the plans will be ready
for submission to Congress, with estimates
in detail, before the beginning of the next
calendar year. The work of widening
Street bridge, provided for in the last
appropriation act. is now In progress.
Street Railways.
During the past summer two very i'm
portant means of street car propulsion have
been under experiment in this city. AS
permitted by it's charter, the Capital rail-
way obtained authority from the Commits
on its line between the Navy Yard bridge
ard the navy yard. The practicability Of
this system as a means of street car pro-
pulsion has not yet been demonstrated.
The lexington and Soldiers Home and
Belt railway companies have experimental
with various types of air motors for street
car propulsion. After long series of ex-
periments they were authorized to equip
their lines with cars fitted with air motors
of the type, power and reservoir capacity
of that last tested. 1t is understood that
such cars are now being constructed for
the companies.
The underground electric system in use
on the Metropolitan lines has been operated
throughout the year in a manner most sat
isfactory to the citizens, and, it is under
stood. financially satisfactory to the COM
pany. 1t is a question for serious consider
alton whether sound public policy would
Of street car propulsion has been proved
to be better. Congress should stipulate that
all the street railway companies operated
within the city limits be equipped with
this form of propulsion, as being the most
satisfactory known anywhere at this date.
The equipment of all the lines in the city
On uniform plan would afford advantages
" hich can be readily seen, in permitting
the transfer of cars from route to route,
In permitting eventually the abandonment
Of some miles of track, and in lessening
the liability of a line being tied up by acct
dents similar to the fire which recently de-
stroyed the power house of the Capital
Traction Company.
ElectrGIytic Action.
Some difficulty has been experienced dur
ing the past year from electrclytic action
on underground wires, gas and water pipes,
in cases where the suburban street rail-
roads have attempt ted to use bonded rails
for a return circuit. one pole of the dynamo
furnishing the power being grounded. This
practice has caused serious trouble in other
cities, and although the loss due to it here
has been less in degree unless proven
tive measures are taken the danger will
increase in proportion as the underground
municipal work is extended to the suburbs
In the late railway charters granted by
iSSiO
thority to require a method of construc-
ton which to a certain degree will guard
against danger from this source. Congress
sional action, however. will be required to
remedy this evil in some of the existing
lines.
The Sewers.
The application of the continuous contract
system to the work of sewer construction
in the District in the case Of the Tiber
creek and New Jersey avenue intercepting
sewer. has developed a condition arising
under the act providing permanent form
of government for the District Of Columbia.
which causes an increase of cost of the
work without apparently a corresponding
benefit. The law requires contractors to
give bond equal in amount to the esti-
mated cost of the work. In the contract
in question the estimated cost of the work
Is $2S9,OO0 and the appropriation made for
work under 1t was $4,000. Under the law
have to be carried for several years, at
considerable expense. which the contractor
has to provide for in making his bid in
addition to the reasonable cost of the work
and his profit, the increase amounting In
this case to several thousand dollars. Cap
tain Beach recommends that authority De
secured, in cases OF work done under the
continuous contract system, to accept
bond for the amount of each seasons work
separately, varying in amount from two
thirds to the whole cost thereof, the amount
in each case to be fixed within the limits
named at the discretion Of the Commits
sioners.
1t is believed that the system of sewers
for the service of houses within the city is
generally satisfactory. but the disposal of
the sewage is unsatisfactory and is detri-
ment to the health of the city. The SAM
tary conditions of the city have been vast
~ improved in recent years by the reclama-
ton of the Potomac fats. The reclamation
of the Anacostia flats in similar manner
is strongly urged, and will be greatly in the
interest of the general healthfulneSS. But
a third cause of unhealthfuneSs will re-
main until the plans of sewage; disposal, SO
ably prepared by the commission convened
by Congress in 1889 and set forth in their
report, shall have been completely carried
out. At present the sewage is emptied into
the Potomac and Anacostia rivers mme-
diately along the water front of the city
and is carried back and forth by the tides
large portion of it being deposited on the
and B street canals. which extend to with
in $50 yards of the Capitol and 800 yards of
the White House, respectively, remain
sinks of pollution. These canals need only
to be examined at low water and disturbed
slightly to convince the most skeptical Of
their dangerous condition, especially during
the summer season.
Total Appropriations.
Congress has already approved the pro-
ject of the sewer commission mentioned
above. and has authorized work Hereunder
in the construction of the Rock creek, F.
street and Easbys Point, and Tiber creek
and New Jersey avenue interceptors. The
whole amount appropriated to date for
these works is $4,000. The total estimat-
ed cost Of the system. including work al
ready done. is 5000 635. this estimate be-
ing on the project of the commission, as
changed in accordance with the experience
gained by work already done. 1t must be
noted that at the estimated increase in
population this system will be ample until
the year 1926; that the relief required will
not be gained until the whole of the work
Is completed, and that at the rate appro-