Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-02
Approved by the Acting Sec
rotary Of War.
IN EASTERN BRANCH
PROVISION FOR IMPROVEMENTS
AT NAVY YARD.
Also on Both Sides of River Near
Anacostia-Gen. McKenzie's
Recommendations.

Acting Secretary Oliver of the War De-
,,artn,ent today approved certain changes
In the harhOr lines of the Anacostla river
from IT'S junction with the Potomac river 10
the PENNSYLVANIA Avenue bridge to meet
protected improvements at the Washington
navy yard and on both sides of the river
near Anaeostia This subject has been
vi der consideration since June 1903. when
the Secretary OF the Navy presented the
question to the War Department at the in
stance of the chief of the bureau of yards
and docks He forwarded sketch showing
tie present and proposed bulkhead lines for
the Washington navy yard. Also showing
the method of constructing the proposed
quay wall and the data from which the
wharf and bulkhead lines were laid out. III
view of the statements of the chief of the
bureau of yards and docks. the Secretary
of the Navy requested that authority be
given for the construction by the Navy De
partment of wharVeS or quay wall or Soild
construction in front of the present navy
yard Washington ard in front Of the prop
erty adjoining on the west. recently acqur-
ed for an extension of the yard. to within
twenty feet of the established wharf line.
The subject referred to Col. Allen,
Corps of Engineers. to draw up tracing
map showing the proposed change in the
harbor lines, and that officer subsequently
reported that there was no objection known
to the construction work at the navy yard
as proposed by the Navy Department. lie
also suggested that a change of harbor line
In front of the navy yard should have con-
siderat ton. and at the same time that IL
would be well to consider a modification of
the line near to and opposite Washington
barracks
Necessity for Surveys.
Before final action was taken in regard to
the harhor lines it was necessary for Col.
Allen to make surveys and prepare maps
and descriptions of the proposed modifca-
tons for the consideration of the Secretary
of War and the Commissioners of the Dis
trict of Columbia
Pending that action the Secretary of the
Navy was advised that there was no oh
Jeciloh on The part of the War Department
10 the construction of wharves quay wall
at the Washington navy yard in accordance
with the plans submitted by him Since
the retirement of Col Allen last January
the Work OF surveying the Anacostia river
mas Deen conducted by Col A. NJ. Miller,
'orps OF Engineers, under the supervision
OF Col. FL +. Hodges, assistant TO the chief
vi engineers. These surveys were made
win the greatest care and with due con
sheraton to the present and prospective
requirements of the navigation of the river
Gen. Mackenzie. chief of engineers sub
United the matter to the Secretary of War
yesterday, with a brief report, In which he
said:
The necessary surveys have now been
made. and the question of modifica ton of
the existing harbor lines on Anacostia river
has been considered at public hearing
held February - 1904
The modified lines presented by the
local officer. as result of such investiga-
llon amount practically to a redrawng Of
Inc lines over the entire distance covered by
the existing lines q. e.. from the mouth of
the river TO the Pennsylvania avenue
bridgeb. and include an extension of the
hri loo
also included a slight modification of the
harDor lines on the west side of the Wash
lnston barracks reservation for the better
connection between the established lines on
the Washington channel Of the Potomac
river and the proposed lines for the Ana
costa river. The existing harbor lines on
Anacostia river were established by the
Secretary of War in 1892 after investiea-
ton and report by board of engineers
which has had under consideration all that
portion of the river between the mouth
and Benrring bridge.
Boards Action
As result of its Investigations the
board decided that the subject of harbor
lines above the Pennsylvania avenue bridge
should be left for future consideration
and recommended for adoption the present
approved lines which terminate at said
bridge. Among the reasons assigned by the
board for its action were that there
was no existing commerce. except by sand
scows on the river above the Pennsyl-
vailia avenue bridge. and that there could
be no commerce there until this bridge and
the railroad bridge above were furnished
win draw spans. 1t WAS also stated that
the lines to be adopted later for the upper
river would be materially affected by Ger
tain municipal improvements then in con-
templa ton.
SO far as ! am advised the conditions
today are practically the same as those
existing In 1892 and no arguments have
been presented why the harbor lines should
De extended TO the Benning bridge For
this reason and having IN view the terms
OF the general law in regard to harbor
lines (section IL of the river and harbor
act. approved March 3. 1899 which provides
for their establishment where It is made
manifest that they essential to the
preservation and protection of harbors |
am not inclined to concur In toto in the
recommendation of Col. Miller
Il do recommend for adoption by the Sec
rotary Of War the modified harbor lines
proposed for the Anacostia river from the
mouth u the Pennsylvania avenue bridge
including those for the Potomac river on
the west side of the Washington barracks
reservation. and also the proposed extension
OF such lines to the bridge of the Philadel-
phia. baltimore and Washington railroad
on the left bank and To a point a short dis
lance above said railroad bridge on the
right bank.