The times., 1899-12-06

it has been ascertained that to give each
elevator in the District proper eXamina-
ton would permit him to visit them but
once year The inadequacy of this SUI
peTYision can be readily recognized On
construction work the inspectors are no
more able to make proper examinations
than is the one charged with the work
OF inspecting elevators, and much work
is probably done by builders which would
not be allowed We're the inspectors able
to supervise it during its construction
while the defective work is exposed.
Work on Sewers.
The large Rock Greek and B Street in
teTcerting sewer was extended to Twenty
fifth and Water Streets during the year.
The trenches were taken across the old
Naval Observatory ground 1 725 feet to
point near Twenty fifth and Water Streets.
The TibeT Greek and New Jersey Avenue
high level interseCtiug sewer has been
completed between Second and n Streets
southeast and Delaware Avenue and c
Street southwest. distance OF 9l0 fee.
The work Of constructing this sewer is still
in progress and passes through the western
part of the Capitol Grounds. The length
of sewers constructed during the fiscal
year was: Main sewers, S.1i0 feet; pipe
sewers, "A, ,651 feet. and pipe sewers re-
laid, 1876 feet making total of 63,l3i
feet This makes the total length of
sewers in the District as follows Main
sewers. 452249 linear feet S5.65 niles
pipe sewers, 1922, $50 linear feet, 3Ol.3j
miles.
The Commissioners repeat their state
ment of former years that larger funds
are necessary to enable the Parking Com
mission TO properly do its work and the
point has been reached where the amount
appropriated is no more than sufficient to
properly care for trees already set out ami
replace losses occurring among them. Ii
the appropriation is not increased it viii
therefore be impossible TO continue the
work Of setting out trees along streets not
row provided with them.
The area of pumping service was extend
ed slightly in the vicinity Of Iowa Circle,
where the inconvenience to hOusehOlders
from lack Of pressure was greatest. How
ever. the extension has not been sufficient
to relieve the distress prevailing, but it was
all that was possible, as no more water is
available for distribution.
1t has been found that the consumption
OF water between midnight and 4 a ~.
is practically two-thirds of what il is dur
ing the daytime and as the amount con
sumed during these hours can almost en-
tirely be charged to waste IL is fair to con-
slider that two-thirds of the amount used
during the day is also waste. which would
make at least thTee-fOurths of the total
consumption pure wastage, The trouble
becomes much mere aCcentuated during
extremes Of cold and warm weather Dur
ing warm weather the water is permitted
to run for the purpose Of having it some
what cooler fer drinking purposes, and in
cold weather it is permitted TO run TO pre-
vent freezing Of pipes.
During the severe storm and extreme
cold spell of last February the pressure
in the mains was so reduced that il was inn
possible 70 use the fire hydranls in certain
sections of the city. and the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company had great difficulty in
obtaining enough water to keep lis locomo-
tives running. Should a similar cold spell
occur this winter the condition OF affairs
would be even worse. The office is con
stantly in receipt OF requests to have houses
placed upon the pumping system, but it is
practically impossible to extend that svs-
tenn further. as all water that can be car
ried by he conduit is now being distriD-
uted and every gallon which is taken By
the pumps TO supply the region served by
them is so much Withdrawn from the see
ton Of the city supplied by gravity. which
portion is now the one that suffers the
most. The introduction of any more water
motors has been prohibited Until matters
are better. a house-to-houso iHspsctio on af-
fords but tempOFcs relief as Jae people
drop back into old habits, and p!umbins
fixtures are again allowed to become le0ky.
Where the waste is wilIful house o-house
inspection can render no relief whatever,
as the waste may be resumed as soon as
the inspector leaves the premises. The es-
tablishment of water metres is the only
oh -ck upon Willful waste
The highway extension plats have been
placed on file in the Office Of the Surveyor
OF the District, as required b. law. Con-
siderable work has been done in the pre-
paration Of plans for the portion of the
District east of Anacostia, which il is
hoped, will be completed some time this
winter