The Washington times., 1902-08-19
COST OF RIVER FRONT
WORK FOR YEAR $4,000
Harbormaster Sutton Makes
Annual Report.
lABORS GREATLY INCREASED
Work of Department Has Been More
Extensive Than for Years-Recom-
nlends Several Changes = Standing
Appropriation for Ice Breaking.

received from Mr. John r. Sutton, tn,
Harbormaster, his report OF the opera
tions of his Office for the fiscal year end
ed June 80 last. Mr. Sutton's repor
contains a resume of what was don,
during the year in patrolling the rivel
front and the enforcement of the law IL
that portion OF the District.
| A portion of the report deals with the
clearing of the river of ice last winter
and embodies several important sugges.
tions in reference to similar work in the
future. Estimates for the expenses oil
the Office for the next fiscal year accom-
pany the report.
The various operations of the de-
partment," says Mr.. Sutton, may prop
erly be classed under the following
heads:
The Work: How Classified.
The enforcement of the regulations
for the government of the harbor and
river front, and the patrolling conse-
lucnt thereto, including the patrolling
OF the reclaimed fats. an added and ex-
tensive area; the enforcement of the
fish and game laws as enacted by Con-
sress. and of the laws against gambling;
recovering the bodies OF drowned per-
sons; keeping the channel OF the Po-
tomac River open. the maintenance of
order on and around the wharves of ex-
cursion steamers. which during the sea-
dc .f
such other general police duties as are
connected with the performance of the
foregoing operations.
During the wear just ended, there has
been renewed activity along the lines in
dicated. and much efficient work has
been done. When II is considered that
haid duties take the Harbormaster's
force to every part of very extensive
river front, and even to distant points
in the adjoining States of Maryland and
Virginia, it will readily be seen that the
demands made upon this department are
such as to tax 1t to its utmost capac-
ity."
Ice in the Potomac.
After calling the attention of the Com
missioners to his official report TO the
Major and Superintendent of Police. and
acknowledging his Indebtedness for CO.
operation from Major Sylvester, Mr.. Sut-
ton continues:
During the past winter the depart
ment was again called upon to clear the
Potomac river of ice and so prevent the
flooding of the lower sections of the city.
which would have followed the forma-
tion of ice gorges at the forks of the
channel and at the Long Bridge. and in
a letter to your honorable body dated
February IA. 1902. invited attention TO
the necessity for securing an appropria-
tion of $1,000 to be used for that pur
pose. This appropriation was secured
in comparatively short time, owing to
the prompt and efficient action taken by
you upon the request submitted, and, BY
the most vigorous and continuous ef-
fort, what would undoubtedly have
proven a most disastrous flooding of part
Of the city was averted.
I'm attempting to use the harbor po-
lice boat Vigilant 1t was found that her
wheel was too light for the heavy work
required. being first bent and finally
broken. There has been expended in
HtI Win al ICt piON, new Wnetl
and repairing other damages sustained
tering the heavy ice. together with the
cost of inspectors, the sum of $SSS45.
making tctal expenditure of sl,435. As |
put of the appropriation of $1,000.
A Standing Appropriation.
I'm vew of the frequent need for Sc
curing an appropriation for this pur-
pose. ! am of the opinion that it would .
o include in your annual estimates of |
an item of S.. 600 to be |
lnown as an emergency fund for the
breaking up of ice on the Potomac
River, so as to prevent the flooding of
he lower sections of the city, which in
follows the formation of ice
yorges In the river. II this appropria-
ion were so provided the work could be
lone more economically and In a more
eisurely manner, whereas. under the
present practice of waiting until dan
ger actually threatens, additional ex-
,ense is entailed. the work must be
lone hurrieGiy and under a great strain.
md the urgency of the situation renders
necessary the continued presence at the
lis force. With such fund available
L any time. preparations for averting
threatened flood could be came more
thoroughly and completely and at a less
Expense thar. IS now required.
Mooring of Vessels.
During the year just ended it has
'een necessary to order 176 vessels to
nove from the wharves and to appro-
'riate anchorage grounds as marked by
he buoys. No difficulty was experience
d in securing compliance with said or
ers.
There have been detailed for SER
ice in this department during the en-
ire fiscal year four privates of the
Metropolitan Police force, each OF
HON is paid 81 $50 per annum. None
I the employees of the department has
cen detailed to any other Office or de-
artment for any period whatever.
No oyerseers, inspectors, or other
mployes of the department have been
gagged in the performance of clerical
uties, or of any other service but such
S pertains solely and properly to he
ositions to which they were appointed.
Following is statement of the ex-
enditures of the department during
le last fiscal year: Engineer, at sos
CT month. $3.50; watchman. at $50 per
Ionth, $500; deckhand. at s35 per
onths. si20; fireman. ten months at
20 per month, $3.50; extra deckhand. at
70 per month. ten days in each month.
20; insurance on and repairs to of
ce, wharf and boat; fuel, oils. paints.
rushes, waste, and other miscellane-