Evening star., 1901-10-30

hand) can be profitably expended in the
fiscal year ending June 30, 1903.
Public Buildings and Grounds.
Col Theodore A. Binghams operations
for the Improvement and care of public
buildings and grounds in the District are
summarized by Gen. Gillespie in part as
follows:
The Executive Mansion has received the
usual care and such repairs and improve
ments the funds available would admit.
The arrangement of water supply, waste
and soil pipes has been improved by re-
moving the old pipes and replacing them in
a better way with new pipes. An auto
matte f1re-alarm system has been placed in
and furnishings purchased. Plans, with
estimates of cost, for extending the man
sion have been prepared in accordance with
congressional action.
At the Washington national monument
the usual care required for maintenance
has been extended, an addition to the boiler
house constructed and new electric ele-
vator installed. The work of stiffening the
tie-rods Of the iron columns within which
the elevator car runs was completed and
the 70-Volt lamps in the shaft replaced with
lamps of no volts.
At the propagating gardens necessary re-
pairs were made to the greenhouse struc-
lures, an additional propagating house
constructed and the work of filling up low
portions of the nursery grounds continued.
A new brick and iron building for store
house has been constructed and work COM
menced and well advanced for the erection
of a brick building for shops. About 9Si, $50
plants were propagated for stock and park
decoration. -
Twenty of the small unimproved reserva-
tions containing 2.91 acres, have been
brought to the first stage Of improvement,
and three of the small improved reserva-
tions have been further improved. Mark
ing stones were placed at the corners of
seventy reservations, and Truxtun Circle,
hitherto unimproved, has been highly inn
proved. A new entrance has been con-
structed to one of the main roadways in
the Monument grounds.
A plan, with estimates Of cost, for i'm
proving that section of the city south of
Pennsylvania avenue and north of street
southwest, and for a suitable connection
between the Potomac and Geological parks
was prepared and submitted to the Secre-
tary of War for transmittal to Congress.
Attention has been given to the telegraph
line connecting the Capitol with the depart
ments and government printing office. and
an electric storage battery, in duplicate,
has been purchased to replace the old-style
gravity battery hitherto used for supplying
current to the line The desrability of re-
placing the present overhead system of
wires with underground conduts and
cables is submitted for the action of Con-
gress.
The damage done by the storm in Feb
| ruary, 1897. and by high tide and wind in
October, 1S9S to the iron pile wharf at
Bridge Creek landing. Virginia. near
Wakefield, the birthplace of Washington.
has not yet been repaired, there being no
funds available for the work.
Defenses of the City.
Regarding the defenses of Washington,
Lieut.. Col. Charles ]. Allen. Corps of En-
gineers. being the officer in charge, General
Gillespie says:
'At the close Of the fiscal year 1901 there
were completed emplacements for six ten
inch guns, for three eight-inch guns and
for two four-inch rapid-f1re guns. In addi-
tion there were under construction en-
placements for eight twelve-inch mortars,
for two SiX-inch guns on disappearing car
| riages, for two five-inch guns on balanced
pillar mounts and for five fifteen-pounder
rapid-fire guns on balanced pillar mounts.
1t is expected that all of these will be COM
pleted during the first half of the coming
| fiscal year, provided the necessary arma-
ment is received The mortar batter is
now ready for its armament, as is the six
inch battery.
"Of the four battery commanders sta
tions, pertaining to the approved system of
fire control, two are completed and two are
practically completed, a very small amount
of work only remaining to be done to them.
"An electric light and power outfit for
the eight-inch battery is under construc-
ton; public advertisement has been issued
inviting proposals for an electric light plant
for the mortar battery. and an electric
uBuC pldnC IOT tHe SlX-1HCu UdlteTy mas
| been authorized. Completion of these plants
during the next fiscal year Is expected.
Necessary repairs were made to the bat
teries and buildings.
"a few repairs to wharf and roadway
were authorized late In the year."
Government Printing once.
Regarding the new fire-proof building for
the government printing office, which work
is in charge Of Capt. John S. SewelI, corps
of engineers, Gen. Gillespie says in part:
AT the close of the fiscal year 1901 the
founda tions, the steel work and the under
ground drains were practically completed;
the walls were at an average height about
equivalent to that of the second floor. or
little higher; the power-house extension
was under roof and nearly completed;
about 80 per cent Of all plans and drawings
were completed, and good progress had
equipment as could be begun before the
building is closed in. The building will
probably be practically complete by july
1. 1902. and its completion in all details
and the winding up of all business con-
nected with 1t will probably be not later
than September 30. 1892. Everything ind-
Gates that the entire work will be finished
within the authorized limit Of cost"
The total appropriations for this building
were, 81 49, 600. The amount expended to
date is 1856, 1851, leaving an unexpended
balance Of 81 Ala, S41. 3d. of which $511 ,153 40
| is covered by contracts and outstanding Ia
bilities. leaving an available balance of
| $962 6S7.9 80. The building is to be fireproof.
constructed mainly of brick and to be thor
to have seven stories. q basement and an
attic with vault for storage purposes
under the G street and North Capitol street
| sidewalks, the basement to extend under
| the interior court and driveway.
Potomae River Improvement.
In special chapter on the operations
conducted by Lieut. Col. Charles J. Allen