Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-11

school house with them. painted 1t on our
shores and there taught the young idea
how to shoot: the little school was the
nursery of the college and of the university
and from this highest source we have the
brain supply which now Is making our
country so famous.
Therefore give heed, my fellow members
to the recommendations of your committee
on schools. an earnest demand for in
creased facilities and better pay for our
most worthy teachers.
Improving Railroad Facilities.
The prospect for better railroad facilities,
larger and more comfortable terminals,
elimination Of grade crossings, Is bright
Perfected legislation Is confidently expected
during the next session of Congress-; that
legislation may not be along lines now pro-
posed, but that the District will receive at
the hands of Congress at its next session
adequate relief is fondly believed.
work has been commenced on plans
adopted by Congress. I refer to the con-
bridge to take the place Of the old Long
bridge across the Potomac river.
Your attention is called to the railroad
committees full report. 1t presents views
and recommendation on the general subject
worthy of the study OF every member of
this body. l call your special attention to
the relief which would be offered large
portion of our beautiful city by the removal
of railroad tracks from two of our promi-
nent avenues to streets remote from resi-
dence localities. to business and a water
front where 1t would be welcomed and
where great business center would be es-
tablished.
River and Harbor Improvement.
Your committee on river and harbor i'm
provement has been active in the good
work.
The Virginia channel entrance to George
town harbOr needs additional
the depth of water over the shoals above
the Long bridge is less than nineteen feet
This depth ought to be increased to thirty
four feet. All shoals In the Potomac river
from Washington to the mouth of the
Potomac, should have that depth and a
width of not less than 400 feet. The towage
from bay and sea ports to the District has
largely increased, and to keep pace with
cities of like Importance we should have
that depth and width of channel which
will invite owners Of large vessels to COM
pete for our trade. Large vessels means
lower freight rates and lower prices to the
consumers and, further, low-water rates
means check on high railroad rates.
The action OF Congress on the Anacostia
question Is most gratifying, and is the
result of constant pressure on our munich
pal council for relief from condition which
was and Is menace to commerce and to
the whole District This work of harbor
building and disease destroying is due to
the efforts Of your committee and to the
work of kindred associations.
Remember, the work of the Anacostia
river improvement has just begun. There
is much future work to do: in brief, the
$4,000 appropriation Is small In compari-
son to the whole cost OF a part of the
work Section l of the plan adopted will
cost over $1,000 The reclaimed land in
this section de. between the Navy Yard
bridge and the mouth Of the Anacosfia, a
distance OF two miles) would cost only
cents per foot (See page 10, House doc
n. I'D 5Sth Cong \ loaS tho,
its value This fact makes this project a
commercial success, as the land reclaimed
will be government property.
The dredging of deep and wide channel
above Pennsylvania avenue bridge to the
District line. and the filling Of the flats
there, should be commenced next year by
means Of an appropriation included in the
District appropriation bill. the cost to be
divided equally between the District and
the United States. The reclaimed land in
this portion Of the improvement will be
more than 800 acres.
The Sewerage System.
Sewers and appropriations go together to
make a city healthy.
Sewers and sewage are not pleasant
things to think OF or to see, but the city
beautiful cannot be without these very USE
full, modern improvements. This city has
system under construction and well under
way. which. when completed. will be a pat
tern TOT the Worlds cities. The work of
construction Is to be continued yearly, and
your committee urges the Board of Trade
to use its utmost efforts to complete this
great work in the shortest possible time
Much trunk sewer work has been accom-
plished In the past few years. Commenc-
ing In the western part OF the District we
have the Arizona avenue sewer draining
large tracts Of land west of Georgetown
and north to Tenleytown.-
The Rock Creek sewer freeing that stream
almost entirely Of sewage. The 18th street
intercepttng sewer draining the high CEN
trail portion OF the city. The New Jersey
avenue branch Of the low level sewer near
Ing completion. The commencement Of the
B street section OF this low Level trunk
sewer. which win drain the low area along
Pennsyivania avenue. and which, when
completed. Will enable merchants on the
avenue and adjoining streets to use their
cellars at all times without fear OF Hoods
The interceptinE sewer from "a and N
streets southeast TO 22d and A streets north-