Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-17

q bad state of repair. The stone wall ex-
listing along the bulkhead line is also in a
very dilapidated.state, in some places hav-
ing fallen down entirely. The harbor Is
also In need of dredging, in order that 1t
may be used to the best advantage. The
Commissioners recommend that an appro-
pfiation of $500 be made for the purpose
OF preparing a survey and plat for the i'm
provement of this frontage. They invite at
tention to the report of the wharf commit
tee, having direct charge of the leasing of
these WharveS, as to the necessity for this
Improvement.
THE Commissioners would invite the at
tention of Congress to the unsettled ques-
ton of the title to the water front along
the AnacoStia river or Eastern branch. The
Old maps of the city of Washington appear
TO show Water street along this frontag e
similar to that which extended along the
POTOMAC river front of the city. AS it was
decided In the Potomac flats case that the
title to all land south of Water street on
Ihe Fotomac river front was in the United
states, 1t would seem that the United States
mas similar rights on the Anacostia river or
Eastern branch frontage of the city. This
question, however, was not before the court
IN the case above mentioned. and in conse-
quence the status of this frontage has never
been judfcially determined
Inc commissioners recommend that ac-
tion be taken in this case similar to that
taken in the Potomac flats case namely
tnat the Attorney General be directed to in
stltute proceedings for the purpose of de-
termining the question of title"
Water Mains Laid.
During the year about sixteen miles of
water mains were laid and ffty-one fire hy-
grants set. The Reno and Brightwood
reservoirs have been in continuous service
curing the year. At the former a water
tower and watchman's lodge have been
nearly completed, the former sufficiently to
put the tank of $4,000 gallons in service
sn,ns increased pressure in Tenleytown
ana vicinity This area varies between $50
anu 4U 1eet above mean tide level At the
BrlghtWood reservoir land has been bought
ior site for watchman's lodge but ow-
ing to lack of funds no building has been
paced thereon The Trumbull street pump
LIZ stduoh mas been completed, and the me-
chanical equipment is nearing completion
Ihls station is in regular service
a contract was awarded for 800 fire hy-
Grants ,. or large capacity and capable of
nave ben erected in the business section
OF the city. replacing hydrants of the old
type These hydrants are intended to be
USED IN connection with the high-pressure
service which has been recommended to
Congress for fire protection for the business
section of the city
The question of the water supply" says
Col Blddle us one that needs immediate
consideration. At the present rate of con-
sumption per capita the capacity of the ex-
listing conduit will soon be reached The
chlef OF engineers, United States army, has
a
for new conduit.
Installation of Water Meters.
at is thought by the Commissioners that
economy in the use of water could be OBJ
tanned by the general installation of meters.
The price of a meter being SO to S14 and
the average cost of water per house being
about So. it would make it a burden on the
consumer to install a meter at his own ex-
ClE n ont Of n,lxy nv.
two dollars could be expected and with
the ordinary repairs and wearing of meter
the cost to the consumer would exceed the
present average rate, and moreover would
be unequal as not being proportionate to
the amount of water used.
Rock Creek Park.
The report closes with the following ref
erence to Rock Creek Park
"The appropriation for the care and i'm
provement of the park was $4,000 as
against s., 800 for the previous year With
this appropriation a concrete dam was con-
structed at Pierce Mill to replace the old
wooden milldam which was washed out
during rise in the creek. This dam is
100 feet long, with a middle spllway of
forty feet and is built on a foundation of
rock. Its height above rock is a little over
twelve feet, and the height above the water
trough between six and seven feet.
Blagden avenue was also graded. and
the Miikhouse ford, crossing the creek just
north of the Military road, paved with
concrete. The paved floor is of concrete,
twenty-four feet wide, seventy-four feet
long and six to eight inches thick The
flow of water above this does not exceed
three inches in depth during the greater
portion of the year
Ross road was graded through the ope-
rations of the chain gang. and it is now
possible to drive over this road from the
mouth of the Broad Branch to the Mill
tary road. The chain gang has also been
employed in grading the banks in other
portions of the park and in moving down
the weeds and grass along the driveWays
A footpath has been graded on the west
side of the creek from Klingle road to
about Pierce Mill. The roads in the park
are kept sprinkled during the dry weather
by means of two sprinklers.
above the Military road the park is i'm
proved only by dirt road.
Present Needs.
1.-The present needs of Rock Creek Park
are, in the opinion of the board of control
of the park. not so much the opening or
matchmaking of many new roads as the
providing of ways of approach and the
obtaining of small portions of land neces-
sary for rounding out and protecting what
Is already park land. The existing roads
should be kept in ffrst-class condition, well
watered, some stretches macadamized the
banks of the creek protected from erosion
and a few small bridges built There is
however, urgent need to improve the
entrance by the opening up of 18th street
north of Piney Branch. and especially the
purchase of the valley of this branch from
10th street to the park. This valley, which
is wooded and very beautiful. should be a
part of the park, and will give most at
tractive entrance directly from 10th street.
The acquisition of the banks of Rock creek
below the Geological Park is of great i'm
portance to the park development
In connection with the park. the Com
missioners submit to Congress the desir-
ability of preserving 10Th street as resi-
dence street. This street 100 feet wide
leading from the White House to the Dis
trict line, and forming the eastern boundary
of part of Rock Creek Park. differs in char
acter from all other streets and avenues In
the District. and should be kept forever as
a residence has no cha tar