Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-13
FUND NOT AVAILABLE
NO SEWER TO BE LAID IN CON-
DUIT ROAD.
Order Setting Aside $12,2 for the
Purpose Countermanded by
the Commissioners.

Because the appropriation "for illuminate
ing material, lighting, extinguishing, re-
pairing and cleaning public lamps on ave-
| nues, roads and alleys" carried in the
District appropriation bill for the present
| fiscal year, is not available for lighting the
Conduit road, the appropriation for con-
struction of suburban sewers, District OF
Columbia. likewise cannot be used for
meeting the expense incident to the laying
OF service sewer along that thoroughfare.
This was the decision Of the Commission
ers today when they approved recon-
mendation written by d. E. -McComb, su-
perintendent Of sewers, and the rule was
made Immediately effective by the issue OF
an order countermanding a prior order. OF
July 20, 1906, by which So 225 was set
aside out of the suburban sewer appropria-
ton for the construction Of nearly mile
of service sewer along the northerly side
OF Conduit road between Arizona avenue
and 4Tth place.
The question of using District funds for
improvements on the Conduit road first
came up soon after the money carried in
the District appropriation bill became
available on July l, when the Commission
ers wrote to the controller of the treasury
asking for an Interpretation of the law.
In their letter making the request the
Commissioners stated that 1.-THE Conduit
road is greatly travelled between this city
and Cabin John bridge; but owing to the
fact that 1t is a federal highway, it has
never been lighted by the authorities Of the
District of Columbia.
Omitted Provision Of Authority.
I'm response to a very general demand
to protect life and property along the road,
and believing that they were without
authority to maintain this lighting except
by special enactment, the Commissioners
included in their estimates to Congress
during the last session provision giving
this authority, and also asking for an ap-
preparation to meet the added cost"
AS it happened, Congress made the ap-
preparation desired, but eliminated the pro-
vision relating to the desired authority.
While this matter was pending, Capt.
U.s.A, in charge Of the Washington aque-
duct. wrote to the Commissioners calling
attention to the growing community on
the north side of Conduit road between
and he asked if it was considered advis-
able to allow drains from kitchen sinks,
wash basins, ETC., to empty into open gut
ters along the road. The health officer and
the District engineering department agreed
that it was not, and when the matter
came to the superintendent of sewers he
recommended the construction of a serv-
Ice sewer 4.450 feet long on the north side
of the Conduit road at an estimated cost
Of $12225.
Before any actual work had been be-
gun, however, the decision of Controller
Tracewell on the matter of lighting the
road was received. Mr.. Tracewell holding
that If Congress had intended the Con-
duit road to be lighted it would have made
provision therefor along with other govern
ment reservations, which appropriations
are under the control of the Secretary Of
War"
Referred to Counsel.
In somewhat of a quandary in the prem
ises the Commissioners referred the ques-
ton of constructing the sewer to the cor
poration counsel, and asked his opinion
whether the sewer could be laid and
whether an assessment against adjacent
property. as provided by law in connec-
ton with the construction Of such sewers,
would be valid and collectible. Corpora
ton Counsel Thomas held that as a matt
ter of practical administration the building
of the sewer and the levy Of assessments
would be inadvisable until more specific
legislation can be secured from Congress. I
The cancellation Of the order by which
$12,225 was set aside for the proposed
work was Immediately made, and the ap
prevail of the Commissioners, readily grant