The Washington times., 1902-08-22

The District Commissioners yesterday
received from Mr.. Henry B. LOCKER, the
Surveyor, report on the operations OF
his office for the fiscal year ended June
80 last. With the report Mr.. LOCKER
also forwarded to the Commissioners es-
timates for the expenses of his Office for
the fiscal year ending June 30, 1904.
The year" says the Surveyor, "has
been a very busy one especially during
the months OF March, April and May.
the recent changes in the building regu-
lations being responsible for a consider
able part of the work. The requirement
of an official plat of each lot to be used
as the site of building has caused the
making of 7i9 plats of single lots or
groups of lots. The requirement of a
survey in all cases TO verify the location
OF new walls in process of erection has
caused the making of 2s2 surveys.
'As the new regulations went into ef-
feet March !, complete annual figures
are not attainable as TO the effect in the
-iAAAAhS- VI pluAa anu sui htlS. bQl tuOuRu
is known to amply Justify the adoption
OF these two requirements. Already
probably fifteen cases of errors of
builders in location of party walls were
discovered before it became diff
ficull to correct the error. The effect
is excellent; it is to see that the permit
granted IS adhered to perfectly in the
aF
ing land, including public streets. etc.
is protected from encroachment. In adj
diticn, the system provides very con-
siderable protecti-n n to this office, which
has now an opportunity TO correctly re-
set points Of survey which. during
building operations. may be jammed out
OF true position, with the natural re-
suit as to walls built thereupon.
Plass to Show Subdivisions.
IN connection with the plan submit
ted some months ago b. this office to
assist the Assessor in the definite desig-
nation Of all parcels of suburban land.
it is deemed proper in this report TO
show the constantly increasing necessi-
ty for a series OF plats, showing
up to date the subdiyisionai con-
dition OF each block OF the city. These
can be made up from the original pa
pers of subdivision, as they come in day
by day. in pencil, on a basis OF the con-
dition at any one time. drawn in ink
This viii, OF course, not include parcels
cut out by metes and bounds by deeds,
but it win be a step in the proper di-
rection. and as far as now possible TO
90. in the absence of legislation requir-
ing the registration in the Surveyors s
Office of a number for each parcel so
cut out by deed, before the recording of
said deed
Il regard this, under our system. as
the only means Of supplying the Asses
sor's oaice with the deslgna lions he
needs, and the plan should include the
whole District. | do not believe there is
any real difficulty in carrying out sucn
plan, once having the plats prepared
as suggested At present, in the city
at least, it is impossible 10 get on one
sheet the subdivisional condition of any
square. several record books having 10
contribute TO the result. The need Of
this reform is felt chiefly by the various
departments of the municipal admins
tration, whenever The opening OF con-
NfnAlldtADAi OA an dlAfN - Afsi Gu, anu III
any case where the true relation of lot
or group of lots is desired. in reference
to other lots or an alley. etc.
Work Not Yet Begun.
"The incessant demand upon the office !
force for the most imperative current
work has prevented any beginning on
this comprehensive plating so far but |
it will be undertaken whenever oppor-
tunity is afforded.
In this connection I think It would |
be conducive to the public interest TO
permit the preparation. without cost TO
owners. of plafs OF subdivision in all |
cases of part lots which are carried /
on the Assessors books as such. or
which appear therein according TO the
description by netes and bounds. re-
fer at this time specifically to property
in the city proper or in recorded sub
divisions Of suburban land. The loss Of
revenue in fees, which would result,
ought not to weigh against the benefit
resulting to the various District Offices
in the simplincation Of records and ac-
counts. At present. except in the ordi-
nary course of business in preparation
for building, but little is done toward
Ilu1iIE lHe IeCoTuS Oi IleSe lN1eNnlie
designations.
The action Of the recent Congress
in providing fof the year 1908 nearly the
amount OF money asked for by this Of
fee IS most encouraging. For the first
time for four years an urgent deficiency
appropriation VIII not be needed 10 carry
on the work and prevent the paralysis
10 all building operations. which would
result from the closing down the Office
early in the spring.
The Metal Map Case.
appropriation having been made
therefor, a considerable addition will
be at once made to the metal map case,
ETC. now in the record vault. whereby
space enough will be secured 10 tide
over the several years Of construction
1f the new Municipal Building Many
I'D maps OF great value. relating to the
earliest surveys Of the city, will be
,hoto Autographed during the coming
autumn. and thus preserved from de-
itructon as TO their essential data 1t !
5 intended 70 furnish the Library OF :
congress and the Office of Public HuiId- 1