Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-10-07
Annual Report and Estimates Of En-
gineer W. ]. Douglas.
STRUCTURES IN GOOD CONDITION
Sum of 100000 Wanted for
Connecticut Avenue Bridge.
OTHER ITEMS INCLUDED

The District Commissioners have received
the annual report Of w. ]. Douglas, en-
gineer of bridges of the District of Column
bia. He announces that the expenditures
under the head Of ordinary care of bridges
came within the appropriation of $4,000 by
the narrow margin Of $4.03
Keepers were stationed at the Aqueduct
bridge over the Potomac and the Pennsyl-
vania avenue and Navy Yard bridges over
the Eastern branch. At the last-named
structure the operation of the draw re-
quires a keeper and helper. and at the
other two the demands of the public con-
venience justify their retention. These men
are special police officers. and in addition to
caring for the cleanliness and safety of
the structures they enforce public order
and have frequently made arrests and Sc
cured conviction in cases of violation Of
law.
Condition of Bridges.
Mr.. Douglas states that the bridges are
generally in good condition.
IAN exception from this statement" he
says, SHOULD be made in the case Of the
Navy Yard or Anacostia bridge (No. 55),
which has been considered structurally
weak, and since the employment Of the
heavy motor cars Of the Anacosia Rail-
way Company particularly so. The cleo
trio cars which now cross the bridge weigh.
when empty, between seven and ten tons,
and when loaded with people this load
reaches maximum of seventeen tons. The
bridge was not designed to carry such
heavy load. In addition the draw is archaic,
the bridge unsightly, much too narrow, the
entire width of the roadway being taken
up with car tracks, and totally inadequate
to meet the demands of public travel in
consequence of which 1 have the honor to
recommend that it be replaced with a mod
ern structure of ample width This recon-
wa Sir
1887, and the conditions described in each
of these several reports are today aggra-
waited The present bridge was constructed
in 1875. Its condition is VIGOROUSLY bad and
worthy of serious consideration.
THE principal item of expenditure under
the appropriation for construction and re-
pairs of bridges is for the construction Of
a concrete arch bridge over Broad branch
on the line of the Argyle road. The con-
tract price for this bridge is So, 1880. The
old bridge, of timber and iron, was built in
1888; it was structurally very weak and
entirely out of harmony with it's surround
ings. The new bridge. which will consist
of concrete throughout, was designed by
this office, assisted by Mr.. Glenn Brown,
architect. This bridge is now under con-
struction.
Other Work Done.
"The other work, of considerable magni-
tude under this appropriation, consisted of
laying new floors on bridges No. 30 (Cin-
cinnati street, and No. 81 (Woodley Lance,
and the purchase of lumber for bridge No.
55 (Anacostia), amounting together to
SO, 1861
| 1.-The sum of s., 1875 % was expended from
the emergency appropriation for the repair
of certain roads and bridges damaged by
the storm of June 2, 1900, in the recon-
struction of a bridge over Piney branch on
the line of Rock Creek drive. The bridge
destroyed by the storm was Of culvert
construction, having span of ten feet.
The plans for the new bridge were prepared
by the Melan Arch Construction Company
of New York under the direction Of this
office. It consists of a fve-centered arch,
having span of twenty-four feet and
rise of nine feet. 1t is constructed Of con-
crete, encasing steel beams.
1.-The sum of $22, 900 was appropriated for
the construction of a bridge across Rock
creek on the line of the Quarry road in the
Geological park, to be built under the d.
rection of the Engineer Commissioner.
1.-The old bridge was constructed of timber
and iron, and was in a very unsafe condi
ton. The new bridge Is constructed of
concrete throughout, with cement mortar
face. The bridge has been completed, cx-
cepting the construction of the sidewalks
and the grading Of the creek. The present
balance is s775.39.
Use of Concrete Steel.
Concrete steel was used in these two
bridges, in preference to steel or stone, as
1t is thought that it combines the beauty
and permanency Of the stone arch, with
cost not more than 80 per cent greater than
that of a steel bridge. the cost of main
tenance of which is a factor Of great mo-
ment This construction is particularly ad-
vantageous where fat arch is essential.
as in the case of these bridges.
'sThe sum of $4,000 was appropriated to-
ward the construction of a bridge across
Rock creek on the line of Connecticut ave-
nue. extended. The work Is now under con-
struction. This appropriation will result In
1on OF Of ha doAf -
piers from two to nine, inclusive: pier three
and part Of pier two were previously con-
structed under the appropriation for 1899.
All the foundations have been carried to rock
and have been built up to within about five
feet of the natural surface of the ground.
The bridge, which was designed by Mr.
Morrison, will be Of concrete, with granite
asher facing. The soffits of the arches
and the spandrel walls between the faces
OF the bridge will be faced with light-col-
ored brick.
Fifty thousand dollars was appropriated
for continuing the construction of a bridge
across Rock creek on the line of Massa-
chusetts avenue extended. provided the
Commissioners purchase or condemn the
necessary land, the title of which was not
possessed by the District. The strip of
land lying Immediately adjacent to the
creek was the only piece not possessed by
the District. This was acquired by con-
domination proceedings at cost of 81 O4O o.
The $4,000 appropriated made total of
$225.0OO, which will complete the bridge.
The work Is now under construction"
The engineer recommends that the fol-
lowing amounts be appropriated for the
fiscal year ending June 80, 1908:
For the ordinary care Of bridges, 81 600:
for the construction and repair Of bridges
$25. 600; for Anacostia bridge (for neces-
sary borings surveys. estimates and plans).
50, OOQ; for K street bridge over Rock creek
reconstruction), $4,000; for Connecticut
avenue bridge over Rock Creek (for con-
tinuing construction), 100000.
1t is thought that the $500. 900 recommend
ed for Connecticut avenue will complete the
bridge up to the actual springing line of
the arches, which is considered a natural
and proper limit. The appropriation for
1902, amounting to $4,000, will complete
the foundations, including those for the
abutment walls, and will construct piers up
to the top Of the betting course.
FINALLY GOT HIS MAN.
Pfttsburg Murderer Was Persistent I'm
Effort to XIII.
Do noko IN