The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1907-08-15
WASHINGTON LETTER
EspaoIal Corresnondsncsl


officer in charge of the improvement OF
the Potomac river, has made a special
report to General Mackenzie In regard
to the Highway bridge across the Pc.
tomac, which was built at a cost OF
Sl.l96,OO0, In which he says that all
items in connection with the bridge
and its approaches are practically
completed with the exception of the
work remaining to be done by the
Washington, Alexandria and Mount
Vernon Railway company. 1t is recon.
mended that the bridge and its ap-
prOaches from the north abutment of
the Washington channel bridge to the
southern limit of the Virginia ap-
proach be transferred to the charge
of the superintendent of public build
ings and grounds as part of the park
system.
Traffic Over the Potomac.
During the fiscal year ended June
80 last the draw of the bridge was
opened 5,13S times for the passage
of 1855 vessels, or an average of ap-
proximately 140S openings per day.
The average cost for current was 500
cents per opening. Major Cosby says
that the machinery of the draw span
continues to operate satisfactorily, and
but few repairs have been necessary.
Since Dec. 10 last all the traffic for
merly using the old Long bridge. has
crossed the river by way of the High
way bridge and its approaches.
Retaining Mud Flats.
The riprap stonework along the East
ern branch flats has been completed.
The retaining wall. behind which the
liquid mud from the bottom of the
Eastern branch channel will be pumped
Poplar point, short distance from the
south end of the AnacoStia river
bridge, to the fill made three or four
years ago in front of the grounds Of
the Government Hospital For the In
sane and will add Il hundred or more
acres to the land on the south bank
of the Eastern branch.
Public Fairgrounds.
Two new public Fairgrounds for the
benefit Of the youngsters of the city
who have no opportunities to play in
the country have been added to the
list. The money raised by the white
and colOred school song festivals and
the school collections is largely re-
spOnsible for the opening of one. From
-heSe two sources the Washington
association announces it
las received total of $2,077, which Is
o be devoted entirely to school play
grounds.
Other Grounds Planned.
DR.. Henry S. Curtis, supervisor Of the
is planning to open other
lew grounds as soon as funds are In |
land and the arrangements can be |
ompleted. 1t is also his intention to |
,eep the schoO! Fairgrounds open after |
choOl hours and on Saturdays next |
all, which will be an innovation be-
Ieved to be much needed. An effort Is |
eing made by the association to raise
t least $4,000 to defray the expenses
( the grounds now in use for the pres
mt fiscal year. This amount, it is
tated, will be absolutely necessary In
lew of the fact that congress cut its
ppropriatiOn for this object in half
t the last session.
White House In New Dress.
The White House will soon appear In
new dress Of paint. A small army of
linters are busy on the finishing
'uches. When the task Is finished
lie historic abode of the president will
'em to the eye more magnificent and
ately.
For more than fifteen years the
'hite House has not undergone such
thorough painting as is now under
ay. Every inch of the exterior is
ling thoroughly burned.
Old Paint Burned OF.
The work Is necessarily slow and dif.
'ult. The painters find that the old
INT averages about one-eighth of an
ch In thickness. In previous years
has been customary to merely give
e White House spick and span
DIX with few coats of paint. The
ocess of burning off the old paint
III give the mansion more marble
.e effect when the repainting is fin.
led.
Home For Sanitariun.
The National Benevolent Sanitarium
sOciation, a new corporation organ
ID for the purpose of atfording ade-
ate medical attention for its men,
rs, has purchased the Chaplin apart
.nts ut cost of 100000.
The Chaplin is located at 1415 Chaplin
eet, contains forty apartments and !
out 100 rooms, and has q self sup I
ing electric plant in the basement.
Is five story structure.
Altogether the building Is regarded !
model for the purposes of an as y
'lation unique In Washington As l
ted in the charter, the associations
iects are. first, to afford within
own building adequate medical and
'gical attention and to supply medi-
e, nursing and diet for its members 5
en- sick; second, to afford for its Z
mbers comfortable clubrooms and IL
nelike surroundings, and, third, to p
courage economy, thrift, sobriety and D
reliance. Those desiring to become
mbers of this benevolent associa- =
a may do so by paying monthly D
IS. 81
Qualification Of Members. p
n addition to the payment of these !
IS. members mpst be of good moral y
racter and between the ages of =
ee and tlfty-fye years, free from =.
tie or chronic ailments which might -
qualify them from active duties and =
ee to conform to the rules laid
vn by the association.
he building will Immediately be re- p'