Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-13
Street Cleaning Contract Held
Up by Col. Biddle.
FINALLY APPROVES
THE REASONS ASSIGNED FOR HIS
ACTION.
Possible Damage tc the Asphalt Pave
ments-D1scussion Of the Condi-
tons Existing in City.


either by machine sweeping or flushing,
which was practically awarded to R. V.
Rusk of this city some time ago, has been
held up in the engineer department pend
ing an investigation as to the damage that
might be wrought to asphalt pavements S
result of the profuse use of water. The
papers were finally approved this morning,
however, by Col. John Biddle, the Engineer
Commissioner, and the contract is in course
of execution. The inquiry into the matter
has not been concluded, but 1t was thought
best not to hold the contract up any longer,
as the specifications give the Commission
ers power to designate the approximate
amount of flushing to be done, and If the
water is found to have a seriously dele
terious effect upon the pavements 1t can
be so limited as to minimize the damage.
Water is declared to be the worst enemy
asphalt pavements have to contend with.
When the STRENGTHENING contract, calling
for % OOO, 600 yards of flushing, approximate
ly, during the year, came to the engineer
department for approval the attention OF
the Engineer Commissioner was called to
the possible damage the flushing might
cause.
1t is the policy of the street cleaning de-
partment, which Commissioner West per-
sonally supervises, to increase the hushing
been held with the prospective contractor
relative to an additional amount of this
class of cleaning. In view or THIS IL was
thought best to institute an investigation
as outlined above. There is a strong feel
ing at the District building that the ad-
vantages to be gained through flushing the
downtown streets during the heated term
will more than offset the probable damage
to the pavements.
The Old Pavements.
The only really serious trouble ant1clpat-
ed by the officials Of the engineer depart
ment is in connection with the old pave
ments. Pennsylvania avenue. for instance,
is simply a series of patches from the
Peace monument to the treasury. with the
exception of a strip near the intersection
of 7th street. which was relaid some time
since. There are many holes or holloWs
in the avenue pavement, and after rain
the water stands in these depresSions for
long while. While there it makes serious
inroads into the integrity of the asphalt
and softens it. Heavy teams passing over
the spots meantime break the surface and
the holes soon becomes the subject of
patch The engineers feel that the con-
slant flushing of the avenue would add
to the natural damage wrought by the
rain. They fear that the use Of much wa
ter will not only add to the number %
holes, but may have the effect of loosen
ing the patches already put down.
In answer to this argument the street
cleaning forces declare there should be bet
ter pavements. To this the engineer de-
partment assents, but enters the effective
plea of mo money" 1t is admitted by the
engineers that the flushing will have little
or no deleterious effect upon the streets
where the pavement is in good condition
and where the drainage is frst-class. +
street. G street and 9th street, for instance,
are well paved, have brick cutters and are
well drained. On these streets the water
will run off rapidly and have no opportun
ity to work damage. The same is true OF
q greater part of 18th street, the business
section of 18th street II street and Con-
necticut avenue. Pennsylvania avenue is
really the one care. This thoroughfare is
quite veXation to the District authorities
from many points of view. To place it in
frst-class condition would not only require
a great deal of work, but hundreds of thou
sands of dollars.
Lower Than Gutter Levels.
For great part of the distance from
the treasury to the Capitol the center OF
the street Is lower than the gutter levels
on either side. This not only causes the
water from storms to flow down the center
of the street, but gives the railroad COM
pany much inconvenience. Between 9th
and 10th streets an effort has been made to
lower the cutters, and at some points the
sidewalk Is two feet or more above the
level of the street. The only satisfactory
way Of putting the avenue in condition
would be to raise the center Of the street
and repave 1t throughout. This would ne
cesstate the raising of the car tracks, con-
Quits, manhOles and many other things.
Col. Biddle has written to the engineering
authorities of a number of cities where
flushing has been tried or where it is now
employed, asking for Information as to the
damage to asphalt pavements. No answers
have yet been received.
Meantime Commissioner West and the
street cleaning department have argued for
a trial of the flushing plan in this city, hav
ing full confidence in the outcome. The
flushing will be done in the summer months
when the asphalt pavement is
hot and when the water will quickly dry.
If necessary, 1t is declared, the holes on the
asphalt will be "broomed OUT Immediately
after the flushing. 1t is further claimed
that the washing of refuse from these holes
by the flushing streams will protect the
asphalt from the effects of the matter de-
posted there from day to day, which would
remain much longer than the shallow pool
of water
AS stated, however, Col Biddle has ap-
proved the papers and the scheme will be
given the trial requested
Effect on Domestic Supply.
In connection with the flushing plan there
has been much talk among citizens as to
the possible effect Of the use Of SO much
water on the streets upon the domestic sup
ply. This matter was thoroughly looked
into, however, and the water department
consulted before the specifications were
drawn up.
The flushing will be done between II
o'clock at night and the early morning
hours, when little or no water is being used.
Only three or four plug-openings would be
in use at one time, and the effect on the
supply would not be perceptible. This can
bereadily understood when 1t is stated that
the domestic consumption of water in the
District amounts to 200 gallons per capita a
day, whereas the fire service amounts to
only one-tenth Of gallon per capita
day.
1T is not the fire department nor the
flushing that causes the amount of water
consumed in the District to attain such high
figures" declared an official of the water
department, but the careless waste in
homes Half the water fixtures in the citv
are leaky and there's where the water
goes. The amount needed for flushing can
easily be spared"
Weekly Issue of Patents.