Evening star., 1899-01-02
YEAR IN THE DISTRICT
Continued from Thirteenth Page,


this fan, making appearance which the
President of the United States, who re-
viewed 1t, declared to be the finest he mad
ever witnessed. Through an appropriation
inserted in the current District bill the
houses of the department were supplied
with the national colors and the stars and
stripes now float daily from every house.
The loss by fires during the year is esti-
mated at S:i;s4 600.
Food Products.
The markets of the District continued 20
be abundantly supplied with food products,
and the District authorities continued their
efforts to prevent the sale of those unfit for
use Nothing, however, was done by the
authorities having the matter in charge to
bring to trial those indicted for violating
the Oleomargarine laws. As consequence
of this alleged neglect. il is charged that
the laws being almost daily violated
here. The predicted ice famine did not oc-
cur. nor did the rumOred ice or milk COM
price of bread failed. and prices for about
ali other food products remained about the
same as in previous years.
street Extension.
The highway extension act, approved
March .. 1893. wss amended by an act ap-
proved June -. 1898. sections 6 to ~, both
inclusive, of the original act being repealed.
The map known as section L. filed in the
office of the District surveyor August 81.
IN-'f' was iIlII'tu ana WlInUFdWn by the
District Commissioners, who thereupon pro-
ceeded to prepare new map of the section,
IN conformity with the provisions of the act
Of June ~, lS9S. That man has NOT vet
been finally approved by the highway com
mission, which consists of the Secretaries
of War and of the Interior and the chief
of engineers. United States army.
Citizens Associations.
The Citizens Associations of the District
of Columbia have continued throughout the
past year their efforts looking to the i'm
provement of Washington in many re-
spects- They have recommended from time
to time to the Commissioners various re-
forms The associations in the northwest
section have confined their efforts almost
entirely to the subjects of street extension
and the Overh ad wires. The associations
in the eastern section of the District have
continued to fight the grade crossings and
1t seems that their efforts are soon to be
rewarded by the abolishment of these
dangerous places. The Columbia Heights
Cltlzcns Association was interested during
the first part of the year in the proposed ex-
tension of the Metropolitan railroad through
Mt Pleasant Later this same association
decided against suffrage for the District.
During the past month the Columbia
Heights Citizens Association approved the
MctTopoitan railroad extension rs reported
TO Congress, and thus ended long discus
sion The Mount Pleasant Citizens AssO-
citation indorsed the amended highway act
in January last, and later called upon Con-
greSS to repeal il. The BrightwOod Citizens
Association met. January 10 to discuss
streets and sewerage. The East Washing
ton Citizens Association discussed the high
way act al its meeting on January =. and
at a meeting the month following con-
Cemned the proposed installation of water
meters in the District Charities was the
topic discussed at the March meeting of
the East Washington Citizens Association.
The annual meeting of this association, held
October ;. vas largely attended. The
Northeast Washington Citizens Associa-
tiOn discussed the question of suffrage.
and in February joined the central body of
Citizens Associations. which was formed
the 24th of that month. but which has done
very little work since that time. In March
the NOTt beast Washington citizens held
grand jollihcation over the plan for the
abolition Of grade crossings. The first fall
meeting Of the association held Sep
tember T. The North Capitol Citizens
Association discussed during the year the
various proposed extensions of street car
lines in the eastern section of the District,
and at the April meeting decided in favor
of the herdic line for the section mentioned.
The annual report of the Northwest
Suburban Association was submitted to the
Commissioners September 10 The North
west Citizens Association Joined the CO.
iuInbia Heights citizens in favoring the
Metropolitan railroad extension bill.
The Water supply system.
One Of the most important local improve
ments inaugurated during the year has for
ply of the District by the completion of the
Iong-abandoned Lydecker tunnel and its
adjunct the Howard University reservoir.
This work is being done in accordance with
the plans of a board of experts appointed
by General CraighiH. e@-chief of engineers,
under authority Of cX-Secretary Lamont in
1&-,- The estimate OF the board for COM
pIeting the tunnel conduit with its ap-
purteuanCes ready for service" was SS91,-
81. and the estimate of Major d. d. Gail
lard. Corps of Engineers formerly in charge
of the Washington aqueduct, for complet
ing the reservoir near Howard University
tan essential part of the SYSTEM called for
an additional expenditure of $l9s.ol3.3o.
Congress approved this project June 80 last
and appropriated the balance remaining
from the appropriations for increasing the
water supply OF Washington d G."
amounting to S297 21O5O. as well as an
equal amount from the revenues of the
District for use in resuming and completing
the tunnel and its accessories. The prose-
Cution Of the work las been intrusted to
Lieut. Col. VIM VI. Miller, one Of the ablest
officers Of the Corps of Engineers who
was selected for the purpose because
af his special qualifications. by Gen. John
NJ. Wilson. chief Of engineers who has a
personal interest in the complete success
OF the Undertaking. Colonel Miller began
active operations in July last, and has made
excellent progress. The water has been
drawn out OF the tunnel. and il is now being
cleaned of stones. muck and other obstruc-
tons preparatory to being repaired and
lined throughout. The shafts have all been
repaired ana provided with modern appa-
TatUs and tracks have been laid in the tun-
mel To facilitate the removal of the debris
and the movement of the working material
The nature Of the work and the gre& care
being exercised in all its departments
necessarily prevents rapid progress, COM
pared with surface or even subsurface
work, but all things considered the project
Is well started and fairly on its way to a
successful completion. Its progress will be
watched with the greatest interest as its
completion Is expected to solve the serious
question Of an adequate supply of water
Yer all purposes for many years to come.
The Public Schools.
Steady progress was made during the year
just closed in the development of the public
school system Of the District Of Columbia
Although there were many material a6-
Vances in educational methods their intro
ductton has been 50 quiet and gradual as 10
cause no disturbance or apparent change
whatever in the general administration The
public schools of the District are the pride
OF the people. and dc>erVedly rank with the