Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-21

the question of approving the availability
Of Washington as a place of summer resi-
dence If better judgment ruled with house
builders and house designers.
The Sewage Disposal Project.
The opening up Of the ground through the
Capitol Park, which has been in progress
during the past year, has attracted con-
siderable public attention. but perhaps few
who look down into the yawning depths OF
the immense trench, which can be seen
from the street cars, realize that it is only
a small part of the scheme which was
adopted about eight years ago and which,
when 1T is completed. will give to this city
a modern system of sewage disposal. The
existing system was Inadequate to the
needs Of the growing population and was
defective. During the past eight years a
little over million of dollars have been ex-
pended in carrying out the project, which,
1t is estimated, will in the end cost over
four millions. At the present rate Of prog
ress it is believed it will require twenty
four years to complete this system, the
yearly expenditure during that period hav-
ing averaged $131, S75.
The sewers of the city as originally laid
out discharged into Rock creek on the west
and from the business portion of the city
into the street sewer, lying north of the
Mall, which emptied into the open canal
back of the White Lot The northern and
a portion of the eastern part of the city
drains into the Tber creek sewer, which
practically runs down the line of North
Capitol street, passing under the Botanic
cal Garden, thence along Canal street and
emptying into James Creek canal at G and
South Capitol streets.
The northeastern portion of the city
drains into the large boundary sewer run
ming southeasterly along Florida avenue
and emptying upon the Anacostia flats,
south of Benning road. A few smaller sew
ers also empty directly into the Anacostia
river, in the southeastern portion of the
city.
Some Bad Conditions.
Rock creek being closed at its mouth by
the dam of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
Company the sewage which discharged into
that stream was practically held in basin
without current, to putrefy and decompose.
The B street sewer is constructed on the
bed of the old canal, which is practically
level and in which the tide GIBBS and flows.
1t emptes into B street canal, so called,
which, like James Creek canal, is a body
of stagnant water, and the sewage matter
collects upon the water in a gelatfnous, pu-
trefying mass, in some cases two feet thick.
The Tiber creek sewer is practically in the
same condition as the street sewer, al
though by placing tidal gates at the outlet
Its condition has been somewhat improved.
The James Creek canal is particularly Of
fensive on account of the locality it trav-
erses, running well up into the city, and
it exercises most damaging effect upon
property values in that section. of the city.
Inc large boundary sewer, as stated,
empties upon the Anacostia flats, which are
covered by water at high tide. AT low tide
the sewage and putrescible matter are de-
posted over the flats In manner most
favorable for decomposition, with result
ing bad effects upon the surrounding neigh
borhoodS.
What is Proposed.
The adopted plan for sewage disposal
contemplates the construction of intercept
ing sewers around the borders Of the city,
which will collect the sewage which now
flows into the various places above de-
scribed and carry it all to the foot of New
Jersey avenue southeast where 1t will be
carried across the Anacosia river by an
inverted siphon and allowed to flow through
sewers to be constructed upon the south
side of the river and discharged at such
point down the Potomac where it will not
exercise any deleterious effects. "a
The intercepting sewer along the western
boundary of the city has already been con-
structed as far as Goth street northwest
The intercepttng sewer hlong the south
eastern portion of the city is now under
contract. There are two large trunk sew
ers of the system, one running across the
White Lot and through F street, and the
other running up across the Capitol grounds,
which have been constructed.
One of the. valuable features Of the pro-
posed work will be the construction of
dykes, which will prevent the flooding of
the portions of the city in time of high
water or gorging Of the Potomac by ice.
As an Investment.
The interest in Washington as the ma
TONS capital is very general throughout the
country, and this is stimulated by visitors
who come here from all sections, and go
back and tell about the attractiveness of the
city. 1t Is the purpose of the Washington
and Suburban Real Estate Company, re-
Gently organized, with Mr.. Allen w. NAL
lery as the president, to make the interest
in this city displayed by the people of the
country or a more substantial character by
calling their attention to the advantages of
Washington real estate as an investment.
In addition to the transaction Of general
local real estate business, the company in
tends to buy and subdivide Washington
properties and then advertise them all over
the Union.
Business Improvement.
The lower floor of the building at the
southwest corner of 18th and streets north
west has been remodeled by Mr.. George w.
Reinhardt, the owner of the property, from
plans made by Ben. B. Bradford, architect.
1t Is the purpose of Mr.. Reinhardt to take
In the stores adjoining on the south at an
early date, and turn the entire space, to-
gether with the second floor, into one store.
Majon Fuger's Residence.
Ground has been broken for the residence
which Major Frederick Fuger, U. 8. A.,
will erect on 10Th street, near the corner
of T street, after plans prepared by Spell
den & Speiden, architects. 1t will be three
stories and basement in height, with
frontage of twenty feet and a depth of
seventy feet, and will contain twelve rooms
and three bath rooms. There will be cleo
trio lights, electric bells, speaking tubes,
clothes chutes, etc. The heating will be
by hot water. The front is to be of notified
Roman brick to harmonic with the adjoin-
ing residence now being erected for DIR.
Kober, by the same architects, thus max
ing an attractive corner and quite an add
ton to that section of the city.