Evening star., 1898-11-10
INSPECTING RIVER FRONT
Beard of Trade Committees Make a Tour of
Investigation.
Reclamation of Anaeostia Flats Dis
cussed-Datn ga thered for Use
of the Beard.

The result of the trip 1of inspection along
the river front of the city, which was made
yesterday by a party representing three
committees of the board of trade, was not
only the enjoyment of "a delightful after
neon on the river, but the acquisition of
much useful information in regard to pres
ent conditions. Mr.. Thos. w Smith, the
chairman of the committee river and
harbor Improvement. originated the idea
oe the trip, and was the host of the occa-
sion.
Owing to the kindness of Mr. Richard
A. Johr son, his speedy and comfortable
yacht Nereid was placed at the disposal
of Mr. Smith, and by reason of the good
qualities of the vessel the trip was made
in much shorter time than Mr. Smith had
anticipated. In addition to the members
OF the committee on river and harbor i'm
provement, there were also present repre-
sentatves of the committees on health and
on bridges.
The party boarded the vessel at Wheat
ley's wharf and the start was made about
noon. The PROV OF The vessel was first
turned up the river. the turn being made at
the Aqueduct bridge I hen the entire 'front.'
age of the Potomac fats Improvement was
passed in review, and as the vessel glided
along and the members OF the party looked
at the stone walls which gave a clean-cut
finish to the flats and the large trees which
covered what was once a noisome swamp
it was pointed out that this was an illus
tration of what the Eastern branch flats
Will become when the projected improye-
ment is carried out.
The Areas Embraced
1t was also stated that while there were
contained in the Potomac flats about 700
acres of land, the estimated acreage that
would be recovered by the government from
the Eastern branch would be much great
ar ir,n
unenty remarked, the land thus reclaimed
would not be separated from the CITY by
water.
AS the vessel steamed along, remarks
We're made about the Virginia channel
which Is being dredged and it was stated
that, owing to the fact that vessels draw
ing tWenty-One feet of water could not
come uD to the city, the coal trade at
Georgetown suffered. 1t was thought that
the work of dredging ought to be car
RED on with more thoroughness, so that
instead of channel of eighteen feet, as
at present, the depth should be at least
twenty-one feet.
In passing, attention was called to the
proposed memorial bridge at the foot of
New York avenue, and later on to the
bridge across the Eastern branch at The
loot of South Capitol street
COLLATION. Served
While the yacht was steamfne to Alex
ardria the party were served a collation.
which had been provided by Mr.. Smith.
Then the visitors were given an oppor-
tunity to see the Eastern branch, which is
now wide swampy stretch of water with
a marrow canal (which is called the chan
mel. Although the Nereid only draws about
flVe feet of water, some idea was obtained
of the present conditions when the mem
bers of the party observed the extreme
caution of the captain of the boat in max
ing the turn in front of the navy yard. He
evidently had No Int nf he
nCSe of his craft into the mud banks On
either side of the channel Great care was
required in order TO avoid such a catas-
trophe.
Above the bridge it was stated. were the
stakes marking the line of surveys made
in accordance with the law providing for a
survey of the Anaeostia fats.
The possible betterment of the conditions
in the Eastern branch was pointed out,
and 1t was the opinion that the present sit
uation could not we'll be worse. 1t was
stated that when the proposed improve
ment was completed, the wharf front on
the Eastern branch would be extended out
and that its value swoud be increased.
Health Conditions.
In the general conversation that followed.
led by Mr.. Smith and Mr.. Frank Hume, it
was stated that the health conditions of
the entire city would be enhanced when
the Misunderstanding flats were a thing of
the past. Mr.. John r. Freeman, who has
collected statistics in regard to the per-
centage of malaria among the school chill
drcn in East Washington, said he had no
doubt, if similar information were gath
cred in regard to the causes Of sickness
among the school children in other parts
OF the city, that malaria would be shown
to have high percentage as one of the
causes. In other words, the health of the
entire city would be benefited by the i'm
provement of the Anacostia flats.
The vessel steamed out of the branch
10 .sIi p,Ttp nhD to ha
Clyde steamship wharf, when the trip was
ended. Before leaving the boat vote of
thanks was extended to Mr.. Smith, and
also to Mr. Johnson.