Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-06-07
amount allotted for this work from I
appropriation of March 3, 1899.
Start the Work This Season.

Col. Allen says that in considering the
amount to be allotted to the work from the
appropriation Of March last 1t is proper to
assume that a second appropriation for the
work below Washington under the continu-
ing contract will be made at the next SEES
sion of Congress.
The amount to be allotted therefor need
only be sufficient to get the work well
started during the present season, the
work of the next season to be provided for
by new appropriation. The allotment for
the work at Washington, on the other
hand he says, must cover all the needs of
that work until another river and harbor
bill is passed which will probably not oc-
cur Tor two years, and provide for dredging
through the bars which have already been
referred TO. Moreover he adds, the appro-
priation for both the work at and below
Washington G1G,oOO), is no greater than
was the last Appropriation Dune 3. 1896.
for the work at Washington alone, while
the needs for the latter are pressing and
important. Continuing, Col. Allen says
that the estimate of 1871 fo: the work be
low Washington is Sl5s, 900 and as the act
of March ), 1880, limits the contract for the
work below Washington to $15Ooeo Eek
elusive of the amount herein and hereto
fore appropriated" the requirements of the
act would seem to be met by an allotment
OF the difference between those two
lngton will, however, he says require the
use of a large clam-shell dredge, with large
Scows and a powerful tug, and the sum of
SS,4Ub would appear to be entirely too small
an amount of ready CASH for beginning
payments to induce contractors to bring
such a plant to the ground, to start the
work, with prospect of receiving practi-
cally no pay at the outset Cor certain con-
tingencies must be paid as they arisc) for
anything like the price per cubic yard es-
tlmated in the project of 1891. The total
consideration of the contract. Col. Allen
says, would be small for d continuing con-
am GrApis lions 10
made as stated in the act, hence the prop
oSltlon to have more than SS4O0 available
to commence with.
After further reference to the condition
of the river and the capacity of the plant
Col Allen says il is evident that if the
lower shoals are improved first the ruling
depth IN the river must necessarily remain
49, -Get. as at present. until the improve
ment is completed by the dredging proposed
al the Mattawoman shoal. If on the other
hand, the channel through Mattawoman
shoal IS dredged first the ruling depth in the
river Will be once increased from 10 !
feet to p feet, with a resulting benefit to
navigation, which will thus be secured al
II UGH earlier date. In view of the present
tendency to greater draught in sailing YES
sells, lr the interest of cheaper freights this
consideration becomes quite important
Amount to lie Allowed
1t is recommended therefore, that an al
lotment of $4,000 be made for the work be-
low Washington from the appropriation OF
March 3, 1899, and that the work of dredg-
ing commence at Mattawoman shoaI, this
and all the dredging at the other shoals
below Washington to be done in accordance
with the provisions of the act of March 3
1879, under continuing contract; pro-
posals for the work to be invited by public
advertisement in the usual manner. Col.
Allen estimates that 10000 cubic yards
might be dredged during the present season.
The recommendations of Col. Allen We're
approved by Col. a. Mackenzie acting chief
of engineers, and, already stated the
suggested allotmeEts were authorized by
the acting secretary Of war.
The improvement of the lower Potomac
will be a most important factor in the
project for the general Improvement of the
harbor and entire water front of the city
of Washington, which work has been rem
dered possible by the recent decision of the
United States Supreme Court.