The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1907-08-06
WASHINGTON LETTER
Tspecial correspondence.l

i
to the Highway bridge across the Po-
tomac, which was built at cost of
81, 10000, 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 APP
proaches from the north abutment Of
the washington channel bridge TO the
southern limit Of the Virginia APP
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
30 last the draw of the bridge was
opened 5,138 times for the passage
of 1856 vessels, or an average of APP
proximately 14.O8 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 fats has been completed.
The retaining wall, behind which the
liquid mud from the bottom Of the
Eastern branch channel will be pumped
and allowed to settle, extends from
! 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 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
these two sources the Washington
Playground association announces 1t
has received total of SCOT, which Is
to be devoted entirely to school play
grounds.
Other Grounds Planned.
DR.. Henry s. Curtis, supervisor of the
Fairgrounds, is planning to open other
new grounds as soon as funds are in
hand and the arrangements can be
completed. 1t is also his intention to
keep the school Fairgrounds open after
school hours and on Saturdays next
fall, which will be an innovation be-
lieved to be much needed. An effort Is
being made by the association to raise
at least $1,000 to defray the expenses
of the grounds now in use for the pres
ent fiscal year. This amount, it is
stated, will be absolutely necessary in
view of the fact that congress cut it's
appropriation for this object in half
at the last session.
White House In New Dress.
The White House will soon appear in
new dress of paint. A small army of
painters are busy on the finishing
touches. When the task Is finished
the historic abode of the president will
seem to the eye more magnificent and
stately.
For more than fifteen years the
White House has not undergone such
thorough painting as is now under
way Every inch of the exterior Is
being thoroughly burned.
Old Paint Burned Off.
The work is necessarily slow and diff
ficult. The painters find that the old
paint averages about one-elghth of an
inch in thickness. In previous years
1t has been customary to merely give
the White House spick and span
look with few coats of paint. The
process of burning off the old paint
will give the mansion a more marble
like effect when the repainting is fin
ished.
Home For sanitarium.
The National Benevolent Sanitarium
association, a new corporation organ
lied for the purpose of affording ade-
quate medical attention for its mem
bers, has purchased the Chaplin apart
ments at cost of 100000.
The Chaplin is located at 1415 Chaplin
street, contains forty apartments and
about 100 rooms, and has self sup
plying electric plant in the basement.
1t is five story structure.
Altogether the building Is regarded
as model for the purposes of an as
ISOLATION unique in washington. AS
stated in the charter, the associations
objects are, first, to afford within
its own building adequate medical and
surgical attention and to supply medi-
cine, nursing and diet for its members
when sick; second, to afford for its
members comfortable clubrooms and
homelike surroundings, and, third, to
encourage economy, thrift sobrlety and
self reliance. Those desiring to become
members of this benevolent associa-
ton may do so by paying monthly
dues.
Qualification of Members.
In addition to the payment Of these
dues, members must be of good moral
character and between the ages of
three and ffty-dve years, free from
acute or chronic ailments which might
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