Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-11
WATER AND SEWERAGE
TOPICS DISCUSSED BY CONGRESS
HEIGHTS CITIZENS.

The Congress Heights Citizens Associa-
ton last evening devoted attention largely
to discussion of the problem of securing
a system of water and sewerage for the
suburb. Chairman Gustave Bender of the
special committee designated by the assocla-
ton to examine this question submitted
report. Mr.. Bender first placed before the
meeting communication addressed to the
Commissioners of the District In relation to
lie SUBJECT. in which it was stated:
There are two engineering problems
which confront every growing community
the supply of water and the disposal of sew
age. The time has now come when the peo-
pie of Congress Heights must have these
improvements, which every suburb of the
city of Washington enjoys, even at ais
taEce three times greater from the Capitoi'
and with, perhaps a smaller popuiatioh
than Congress Heights. Previous CORE
spcndence with the District Commissioners
in connection with these matters mas NOT
elected sufficient information for Intelligent
and appropriate action by this association
THE supply of waite ris conditional upon
the disposal of sewage; the latter project
is therefore, to be considered first At the
last meeting of this associa ton commit
tee was appointed to take up this project
de novo
Points Presented.
This committee desires information on
the following points:
Il. Can the District of Columbia utilize
the roads streets and alleys within the
p.atted survey of Congress Heights?
So In order to provide an outlet sewer II
is understood that strip of land must Do
provided from Congress Heights to the 70
tcfnac river How wide must this strip OF
land be? Would a right of way through
the land be sufficient or must a dedlca tlon
of the same be made? Can we be furnished
with a map of the location or description
of this land to make arrangements Will
the owners thereof?
49, Can the water and sewer system pc
extended to Congress Heights under exist,
ing laws or is action by Congress Tequueo
to accomplish 1t?
~ There is bill CH. r. 127o2) now pc.
fore the House committee on the Dlstrlct
OF Columbia to extend the water ana se Sar
system in the District of Columbia can
the Congress Heights Citizens Association
be OF any assistance to the honorable board
of Commissioners of the District OF Soiuia
bia in reporting on this blll!
Col. Biddle's Response.
Mr. Bender presented a reply to this
communication from Col Biddle, the Eng1-
neer Commissioner which was In part as
follows:
Il would state that an act OF congress
approved April %, 1904, provides for the
construction of service sewers In any street,
hlmhia The outlet sewer referred TO py
you will be service sewer and 1t should
be constructed under the act above re-
ferred TO 1t will be necessary to secure
the dedication of the streets in which the
sewer will be constructed which are ind1-
Gated on the blue print transmitted here
with, before action toward the construction
af the sewer can be taken up.
Relative to the extension of the water
service the Commissioners returned an an
swer to the effect that no legislation is
necessary in orde~ that water mains may
be extended to Congress Heights. the ex-
tension of these mains is dep endent entire
ly upon the availability of funds and it will
probably be two years before this work can
be undertaken"
Mr. Bender traced for the members the
route of the proposed outlet sewer to the
river indicating through what streets 1t will
pass according TO the plan Of the highway
commission and stating he would proceed to
investigate the willingness of the persons
at present holding the properties to dedi-
cate the required ground to the District
Local Men for Local Offices.
Another subject called up at last even
ings gathering was the bill of Representa-
tive Sims providing for the filing of local
Offices by local men. President 0. A. En-
mons commended this measure and moved
all Endorsement by the association.
I'VE will not have to go to Now Jersey
for a city postmaster them said the presi-
dent. Nor to Noyia Scotia. either, added
Mr.. James Holiows. The vote was unan-
fmOus.
Mr.. Bender stated he thought the fence
about the school reservation at Congress
Heights should be replaced, If possible, by
one of heater pattern. The secretary was
instructed to communicate to this effect
with the Commissioners. Mr.. Edward j.
Newcomb referred to the bill looking to
Increased salaries for the members of the
District fire department and upon his mo-
ton the bill wa sapproved. Messrs. c. w.
Buck and z. j. Walsh were elected to men,
bershiD.
Messrs. Edward J. Newcomb. George
Morris and William NJ. Sirich We're named
as a committee to negotiate with the trus-
tees of the town hall for the rental of that
building as a place of meeting for the
ISOLATION.