Evening star., 1902-05-01
PROTECTION OF LIFE
Appropriation Wanted for
James Greek Canal.
RENEWAL OF ESTIMATE
COMMISSIONERS WANT FENCE
CONSTRUCTED ALONG THE BANKS
Sum Of $4,000 Believed to Be Neces-
sary-Letter to District Com
mittees in Congress.
RENEWAL OF ESTIMATE

The District Commissioners today for
warded to Senator Allison and Represent
ative Cannon, chairmen, respectively, Of
the Senate and House committees on ap-
preparations an estimate of 1000 for fenc-
ing in the James Creek canal. The Com
missioners have estimated for the amount
before, but have been unsuccessful in their
quest This time the Commissioners have
asked permission to lease the wharf prop
erty along the banks of the canal, the rev.
enues to be derived therefrom being placed
In the treasury to the credit Of the United
States and the District of Columbia. 1t Is
estimated that the wharf rentals will pay
for the fence before the canal is filled in
This latter obliteration of the death stream
will take place when the sewage disposal
system is completed and the canal is no
longer needed as a sewer outlet. In their
letters to the chairmen of the appropra-
tions committees the Commissioners say:
The Commissioners have the honor to
forward herewith an item Of $1,000 for
fencing James Creek canal and giving them
authority to lease portions of the public
space bordering on said canal for CONNER
cial purposes. with the earnest recommen-
dation that the item be inserted in the
pending bill making appropriations for the
expenses of the government of the District
of Columbia and be made Immediately
available.
The James Creek canal extends in a
southwesterly direction from the intersec-
ton Of G and South Capitol streets to the
Eastern branch, at point just east of the
width of ffty-seven feet between walls.
with width of right-of-way Of eighty
feet, and on either side of this extends an
other eighty-foot space known as Canal
street 1t is a part of the old Washing
ton canal and was acquired by the District
of Columbia by purchase. The sewers Of
that section Of the city empty into this
canal. The current is so slight that the
solid matter coming out Of the sewers re-
mains long time In the canal
Banks Occupied.
The banks on both sides of the canal
are occupied to some extent at the present
time by various persons for the loading, un
loading and storage of sand, coal, cord
wood, etc. though such parties hold no for
NAL leases from the District and pay no
rental to the District for this privilege
The matter Of rental has been under con-
sideration by the Commissioners for some
time. District property yard, which is
fenced in, Is also located on the banks of
the canal The canal thus gives valuable
water frontage and is advantageous to the
public as we'll as to the users of the banks.
Crossed by Two Bridges.
The canal is crossed by two bridges, at
NJ and n streets southwest, but for a great
part of its length is unprotected by a wall,
fence or other structure. BY reason Of it's
unprotected condition 1t has been the cause
of many deaths by drowning, and at an in
quest held by coroner's jury the 18th
of this month to determine the cause of
the death Of a person recently found in the
canal it was brought out in testimony that
not less than ten deaths have occurred
from drowning in this canal since July l,
1901.
Ehn CIT
brought to the attention of Congress the
necessity for action to protect the public
from the danger of this canal. The sewage
disposal plans, under which appropria tions
are being granted, contemplate the con-
struction of a dixie across the canal on the
line of street southwest and the filling
in of the canal to this point. which includes
most of the dangerous part. If funds are
appropriated as estimated for this will take
about three years.
IF the item requested by the Commits
sloners is inserted in the appropriate bill
and becomes law it is their Intention to
lease such portion of the public space bor-
derinS the canal as may not be needed for
District purposes and to require, as one
of the conditions of the lease that the
canal shah be protected by a suitable fence
The parts not leased will be protected by a
fence, for which the 5000 is asked If this
Is done there should be no need of light
ing the canal
For Wharf Purposes.
1T is considered desirable, until the canal
Is filled in. that it should be used as at
present. for wharf purposes.
In view of the large number of casual
ties which have already occurred, and the
constant danger of persons falling into the
canal, the Commissioners would urgently
recommend early action in the matter"
A copy of the inquisition taken April -
on dead body found In the canal is trans
mitted at the request of the coroner's Jury
The amendment offered by the Commits
soners is as follows:
For fencing James Creek canal 50 600
to be Immediately available; and the Com
missioners of the District of Columbia are
hereby authorized to lease for periods not
exceeding one year the public space bor-
dering on said canal for commercial use
all revenue to be derived from this source
to be paid into the United States treasury,
one-half to the credit of the United States
and one-half to the credit of the District
Of in