Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-05
AN AMICABLE ADJUSTMENT
RIVER FRONT LESSEES AND DIS
TRICT OFFICIALS AGREE.
Proposed Improvements to Include
Pier - Latter to Cost About
$500, OOO-Other Plans.

Another conference, described as very
amicable one, regarding the proposed i'm
provements along the river front from the
foot of 14th street to the Washington Bar
racks Park. took place in the Mariners
Temple on Water street, opposite the har-
Dor police precinct, today, between Mr.. w.
]. Douglas. the engineer of bridges for the
District; Mr.. D. E. Garges, private secre-
tary to Engineer Commissioner Biddle, and
Harbormaster Sutton, the committee rep
resenting the District in charge Of the pro-
posed waterfront improvements. and rep
resentatives of practically every business
interest on the harbor.
Those present and taking part in ths
discussion were William c. Wimsatt of
Johnson & Wimsatt; James o. Carter Of
Carter & Clark; Ambrose P. Stephenson of
Stephenson & Bro. and the Maryland,
Delaware PehuS; and xirgns RaIIway COMPANY
A G. Forsberg Of the Forsberg machine
works. Perry Johnson of Johnson Bros,
Samuel Kimberly Of the American Ice
Company, C. F. Bennett of Benefits ma
Capital Yacht Club. E. M. Willis of the
Home Ice Company. Capt. c. W. Ridley Of
Steamboat Company, e. s. Randall of the
Washington and Potomac Steamboat Com
pany. A. G. Johnson, John Miller, W. W.
Riley, H. Harry Johnson and Floyd Davis,
representing other interests.
The discussion was informal one,
Engineer Douglas explaining the plans he
had prepared as q basis for discussion.
using big drawing showing the proposed
piers in detail.
Views Of Business Men.
Mr.. William Wimsatt Of johnson & VIM
satt, stated that personally he was willing
to put up with inconvenience for the sake
% 10
of the plans would make. and Mr.. VIM
salts sentiments were approved by the
majority of those present
The question of having a steam railway
down Water street, with spur tracks out
upon each wharf, was discussed, and the
general sentiment was that 1t was unneces-
sary. Several of the gentlemen present ex-
pressed fear that If the railway COM
panes were allowed to get foothold on
Water street. 1t would not be long before
they would be in possession of most Of the
river front. This, 1t was commended had
been the experience in other cities.
In order to get an idea of the sentiment
for and against the railroad on the street
Mr.. Douglas called for a yea and nay
vote on the question, and but two voices
were in favor of the railroad. so that it is
probable the new plans will appear without
the steam railroad feature.
The question was asked as to what style
of pier it was proposed to build Mr.
Douglas replied that that part of the sub
ject had not been thoroughly gone into
but the idea is to build a pile foundation
of each pier to be paved with granite
block, with wood block on each side. The
estimated cost of the improvements, Mr.
Douglas said, was between $4,000 and
s2OO0OO
1t was the universal opinion of all pres
ent that the present wharves and docks
were disgrace to the national capital, but
all agreed that until the harbor is widened
fn nd To- dncks nd y,fo Vr,fN
be of but small advantage. In reply to a
question as to length Of leases and cost it
was stated that this was another matter
that had not been gone into but that the
District authorities are not disposed to do
anything that will tend to injure business
along the river. and that the wharf lessees
could feel assured that they would get fair
treatment
Anchorages for Launches.
Regarding the anchorages for small
launches and pleasure craft. 1t was sug-
gested that an oval basin could be cut in
the Potomac Park. opposite the wharves.
where small pleasure craft could lie out
of the way of the steamers and sailing
craft. instead of occupying anchorage
space in the harbor. as they do now. After
discussing the matter with Dr. Greer tbe
representative of the yachting interests
Mr. Douglas agreed to embOdy some such
Idea in the new plans.
The committee In charge of the harbor
improvements stated that it was the inten-
ton of the District authorities to take care
OF all the wharf lessees, and to give them
as much space as they now have under the
present wharf system. The conferences
lasted for about an hour and q half. and
the plans as prepared by Mr. Douglas were
generally > approved, except that 1t vas
thought that more dock room should be
given west of 9Th street for the lumber and
wood handling piers, and that NO steam
railroad was needed. Mr.. Douglas stated
that new plans will be prepared, embodying
the ideas he had gathered as to the wants
Of the lessees, and providing for q marine
railway west of 18th street. and that they
would be presented to the next session Of
Congress. Work on the Improvement will
be started as soon as Congress makes an
appropriation for It, and 1t was hoped that
this would be done at the next session.