The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-02

| t. A. Rhodes. of Langdon. D. c.. recent
ing of the condition OF Galveston Street
and requesting that it be remedied. 1t
| appears that this is the second letter OF
Mr.. Rhodes to the Commissioners on the
| subject. After saying that he regrets that
the matter complained of could not have
had the personal attention of the Board,
he says:
In connection with this matter permit
me to call your attention to your action
on the previous communication in regard
to the taking of dirt from the cut on
Franklin Street and using it in filling pri-
vate lots to the detriment of Galveston
Street. 1t was supposed by the commit
tee who had secured the appropriation
that the dirt would be used in bringing
up Galveston Street to grade. Immediate
ly on seeing the disposal of the dirt,
sent a letter to Mr.. mcfarland calling at
tention to the action of the contractor and
asking an immediate investigation.
Several days elapsed before | received
4 reply, when a letter came stating that
the matter would be investigated. In
the mean time all the dirt was removed
and used in the manner indicated, and as
far as my knowledge goes no investiga-
ton was had. and, in fact. my letter to
the Commissioners was useless"
Nj. Rhodes insists that he has a right
to consideration in the matter, as the
street has been practically closed and
he believes that the condition exists con-
trary to law.
A history of the grievance and the po-
sition assumed by the Engineer Depart
ment in regard TO it is given in the en-
dorSement to i former communication by
Mr. Rhodes upon the subject. In the en-
dorsement referred to C. B. Hunt, the
Computing Engineer, says:
THE circumstances are that some time
ago date unknown, but subsequent to the
dedication of Galveston Street to the Dis
trict, private parties constructed a "a
inch pipe for the purpose of carrying
away the perennial stream within the
limits of Galveston Street. This pipe was
of insufficient capacity and was laid on
deficient grade. and has become choked up.
Frequent efforts on the part Of the Dis
trict to clear 1t and make it do its duty
have been unsuccessful. The result OF
these conditions was the flooding of the
lots in block %, at the corner of Gal
weston and Twentieth Streets, on the oc-
casion Of even moderate rains, until the
water reached the general level of the
ground IL Galveston Street, when the
overflow would escape by natural outlet.
The temporary pond created on block
Is would gradually subside as the choked
up pipe was able to drain it, but these
conditions were intolerable, and the Dis
trict foreman was instructed as minor
repair to again open a course for this
stream which would prevent these
repeated fioodings and unsanitary condi-
lions. This has been done and the ditch
barricaded and at point near lot 8,
block 80, where the direction of the line
of the ditch is changed, practical ford
has been constructed The conditions are
thus substantially the same as existed on
Galveston Street at the time of it's dedica-
ton to the District.
In the absence of suitable sewer facili-
ties to handle this stream the maintenance
Of these conditions is undoubtedly within
the right of the District. and they are
moreover entirely proper and justifable |
from a disinterested point of view.
Il recommend that the writer be in |
formed that no cause appears why the
stream which now flows through Galveston |
Street should not continue TO flow as II |
does, and that no action such as he sug-
gests can or should be taken"
To the last letter of Mr.. Rhodes Capt |
H. c. Newcomer, the assistant to the En-
gineer Commissioner, recommends that the |
be advised that there are no
funds available for the improvement of
Galveston Street, as suggested by him; also |
that the earth filled in on private property
n connection with the grading Of Frank
Tort Street was so disposed Of as being the
most economical for the District after hav-
ing made such fill as was practicable on
Galveston Street itself"
This recommendation was yesterday ap-
proved by the Commissioners.