The Washington times., 1901-10-25
AFFAIRS OF THE DISTRICT.
General Approval of the Plan for
Special Water Service.
How the system Will Benefit the
Fire Departmcnt-Lovejo School
building Accepted-COmplai of
Fast Driving in Rock Creek Park.

Considerable interest was manifested
yesterday in the District Building in the
project 20 provide the business section of
the city with an additional water service
| 10 pe used in case of fire. w. a. Mck'ar-
land, who originated the plan, was the
recipient of many congra tuiations on the
part OF District employees, who gained
their first intimation of the scheme
through the published report. The opin-
ion prevails THAI the project is practica-
Bile, and that its advantages are mani
testify so great that II VIII not be long IN
being realized.
1t was stated yesterday that Mr.. Nc
Farland has been at work on the details
of the plan for several months, and tnaI
the credit OF the work is his. lie has stud
led ali the similar devices in the United
States, and has added seyeral important
features to his scheme which none other
possesses.
Chief Dutton, of the Fire Department,
expressed himself yesterday as being de-
lighted with the prospect Of having such
system for use at fires. de SAID that
the additional pressure upon the water
mains, provided for in Mr.. Mcfarland $
plan, would add 30 per cent TO the ell
cheney of his Department. Mr.: Dutton
said that the doing away with the heavy
engines in the business portions of the
city would be an advantage that could
not be fully appreciated until 1t was
accomplished. With the new mains in pO-
sitIon, ne believes, the present fire en-
gines could all be sent to the resident
portions of the city to add TO the facii-
ties there. Much l-SltCr apparatus would
be placed in service in the business sec
ton, that would enable the companies 10
IT spond mc:e quickly to alarms. and TO
make quicker connections at the hydTants
In all instances, he thought, many min
utes would be saved in Tetting the ap-
paTatus to work This would often mean
the saving Of many thousand dollars
worth OF property.
has been in operation in the city of Roch-
ester, n. Y, where it Is necessary, In the
business section Of the city. simply to go
out and attach hose TO hydrant 10
throw water with great force Into the
top story of the highest building. The
companies, he said, had only hose
wagon and light tools TO look after He
stated that they were like cavalry in
military operations as compared with
heavy batteries. when the steam fire en-
giues are to be used.
Mr.. Dutton expressed the belief that the
plan would be well thought of by Con-
gress. and that the means for its realiza-
tion would be forthcoming in due course
OF time
Commissioners Ross and Beach yester-
day, acting for the Board, inspected
the new Lovejoy school building. at the
corner Of Twelfth and ID Streets north
east, and formally accepted it from the
contractors. The building is finished and
ready for occupancy colored school
house, to take the place of the old stone
building which stood for SO many years
on site nearby. The new Lovejoy school
building Is one OF the best erected in the
District in recent years. 1t is fittcd out
with the most approved appliances for
heating, ventilation, and light. Speaking
OF the building. the Inspector Of Build
ings recently said that it is one Of the
most perfect school structures in the Dis
trict OF Columbia
The first approximation for the rebuild
ing Of the LoveJJy school was contained
ia The appropria ton bill approved June
80, lESs, and the amount named was S3i,-
900. Owing to the sudden advance in The
price of building material within "A year
after that time. ii was found impossible
to erect the building on the tppropria ton
Accordingly, in the bill approved June E.
1880, an item was inserted making an ad-
ditional appropriation of 5000.
The contract for the building was
q 1890, and work was begun soon after
on the new site purchased for the pur-
pose. The contract price WAS $3.50 The
building was TO have been completed.
present school year, but owing TO several
delays, one Of which was the grading Of
the lot, an extension OF time was granted
on September Of two months.
II is expected thai the building viii
be turned over to the Board of Education
within {. few days, and that 1t win be
soon occupied for educational purposes.
Morris Hacker Superintendent Of
County Roads. has reported to the Com
missioners that many teams in Rock
Creek Park drive at rate too rapid for
personal safety. He recommends that
action be taken through the Police De
partment 10 stop reckless driving on the
thorouBhfares of that reservation The
Inaiter mas been referred to the Police