Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-13
SEWAGE DISPOSAL
REPORT OF COMMITTEE APPOINT
ED TO REPORT SYSTEM.
Plan for Utilizing Sewers in Takoma
Park, Md, for Drainage Of
Houses in District.

trict Commissioners by the special commit
tee, consisting of Messrs. o. L. ingalls,, in
spector of plumbing; David E. McComb, SUI
perintendent of sewers, and DIR. w. c.
Woodward, the health officer, appointed to
investigate and report upon system of
sewage disposal for part of Takoma sit
mated within the limits of the District of
Columbia. The report follows:
The undersigned members of the COM
mittee who were directed to confer with
the health officer and the inspector of
plumbing of Takoma Park. Nd, for the
purpose of considering the question Of the
utilization of the sewerage system Of the
town of Takoma Park, Nd for the house
drainage of lots In Takoma Park. abutting
upon Magnolia avenue between Oak and
Chestnut streets, and Oak street between
Carroll avenue and the District line, which
are too low to be drained into the public
sewer system of the District. have the
honor to submit letter from the mayor of
Takoma Park, Md. in which he states that
he is authorized to make the following
propositions:
Construct and maintain the necessary
outlet sewer in the state of Maryland for
the sum of $50, and in addition the town
of Takoma Park will agree to the cOnnec-
ton of main sewer or sewers with their
drainage system, so as to afford proper
sewerage facilities to those houses situated
in the District on Magnolia avenue and Oak
street between. the limits named, which can
be drained in no other way, for an annual
payment of so for each house located in
the District of Columbia connected
But Ten Houses.
AT present there are but ten houses re-
quiring connections with the drainage sys-
tenn proposed. We would respectfully rec
ommend that the District of Columbia ac-
cept the proposition submitted by the
mayor, representing the town Of Takoma
Park Md, and we further suggest that
measures be taken al once to secure an ap-
propra ton of $50 for the construction OF
an outlet sewer in the state of Maryland,
and 500 as an approximate estimate of the
cost of draining ten houses located in the
District of Columbia into the sewer system
of Takoma Park. Nd, for the period of one
year.
Referring 20 proposed amendment to an
act TO provide for the drainage of lots in
the District. approved May 10. 1896 which
amendment it sought to effect through
a proposed amendment to the pending SEN
ate bill, 54'9 ito create board for the con-
demnation Of insanitary buildings in the
District" Health Officer Woodward has re-
ported as follows:
Section of an act to provide for the
drainage of lots in the District of Column
bia Is as follows: That If the owner or
owners of any such lot neglect or refuse to
make such connections as are required by
this act within thirty days after the re-
ceipt of such notice such owner or owners
shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor
and shall, upon conviction in the Police
Court of said District, be punished by
fine of not less than 81 or more than s. for
each day he. she or they fail or neglect to
make such connections
What the Amendment Provides.
THE proposed amendment relieves negli-
gent or defiant property owners from all
criminal liability whatsoever for their ne
glect or refusal to establish the necessary
sewer and water connections for their
property. In lieu thereof it authorizes the
Commissioners to cause such connections to
the cost by assessment. The scheme is
equivalent to an advance from the United
states treasury for the improvement of
prlvat property, for which there appears
to be no occasion. The recovery of the
money so advanced would depend upon the
numerous contingencies incident to the COL
lection of special assessments through the
machinery of the office of the collector of
taxes and possibly of the courts. probably
with the usual percentage of loss due to
technical errors in the service of notices
etc.
THE proposed amendment Is. in nv iuds
ment, extremely Objectionab BILE and almost
tantamount to the repeal of the law under
which sewer and water connections are re-
CURED
DR.. William Tindall, secretary to the
commissioners, expresses the opinion that
the legislation contemplated is not germane
to the pending bill, and that an ADEQUATE
remedy would be provided by the enact
ment of Senate bill $780, ito provide for
by the Commissioners, introduced April
II, 1902.