Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-18
Col. Bron1WeII Asks $296,17O
for Buildings and Parks
FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR
Salaries Biggest Item of Expense in
District Estimate,
SUMS NEEDED FOR STREETS
Appropriation Asked for Improving
Land to Be Recovered by Removal
Of Sixth Street Station.

Col Bromwell. the engineer officer in
charge Of public buildings and grounds, in
his annual report submitted today estf-
mates that $29s.17o will be required dur
ing the next fiscal year to maintain and
in the District. The biggest item of ex-
pense Is for salaries, amounting to $S4,670.
He has asked for $26,000 for improve
ment, care and maintenance of various
reservations, instead of the $4,000
granted annually for some years. Each
year the Commissioners of the District
transfer. under. existing law, to the chief
Of engineers street spaces which have
been devoted by them for park purposes,
and it is the desire Of Col. Bromwell to
improve these spaces as soon as they
come into his charge. Applications are
also received from citizens for the I'm
provement of unimproved spaces In order
that they may be In harmony with private
improvements in the vicinity. The addi-
tional sum requested. II granted annually.
Col. Bromwel says. will permit Of the
Improvement Of some Of these small
spaces each year.
For Extension Of Streets.
In the sundry civil act for the fiscal
year ending June 80. 1909. Congress ap-
propriated the sum of $4,000 to CON
tinue North B street from Virginia ave-
nue. westward to the Potomac river as a
park roadway along the northern bound
ary Of Potomac Park. and for the ac-
quisition of squares 63 and SO. Col. Brom-
we'll says that amount Is not sufficient
for the work. He has submitted an es-
innate Of $4,000 to complete the I'M
provement.
In addition to the preceding item he has
submitted an estimate of $4,000 for con-
tinuing the southern part Of North
street as a park roadway from Virginia
avenue eastward to 9Th street north
west. This, In connection with the road
way already authorized west of Virginia
avenue, will give continuous park road
way on the line of B street north from
the Potomac river to 9Th street.
Col Bromwen has asked for an appro-
priation Of $4,000 to commence the work
OF improving the interior portions of sec
tion 1 Of Potomac Park, being the large
section between the drainage canal and
the north boundary Of the park. That
section is now being filled with materials
dredged from the Potomac river and by
the 1st Of July. 1909. the area will be In
condition for it's improvement. 1t is the
intention to grade the ground, cover IT
with soil, seed 1t down, lay out walks
and plant trees and shrubs.
To Fix Up Old Station Grounds.
An appropriation Of $4,000 is recon-
mended for. grading, soiling. sodding.
planting and constructing walks in Henry
Park. The old station building at 9Th
street in this park Is to be torn down and
removed by order Of the President. When
that is done the area, which has been oc-
cupied for many years by 1t and by the
train shed, tracks and concrete platforms
of the Pennsylvania railroad. should be
improved as indicated. in order that it
may conform to other portions OF the
park. Much grading Is to be done. and
the old bridge across 9Th street, which
connects the carriage roads In Henry and
Seaton parks across the railroad tracks.
must also come down, says the report. as
it Is an unsafe condition. The sum Of $1,000
Is asked for the erection of two park
lodges, one in East Potomac Park and
one in West Potomac Park, for use as
watchmen's lodges, tool houses and con-
venience stations. There are now no IA
cilities in either of those parks for the
storage OF tools, and much time Is lost
by the workmen in going to and from the
storehouse at 18th and G. streets south
west, where the tools are kept over night.
park watchmen In fnclement weather.
An appropriation Of $3, 600 is asked for
q cement pavement on the sidewalks on
the south and west sides of the Treasury
Department building. There is at present
an old flagstone pavement there, which
is in bad condition.
For Repairs to White House.
Col. Bromwell also asks for $4,000 for
extraordinary repairs of the Executive
Mansion" The walls of the red. blue and
green rooms, he says. require new cover
ings, and the woodwork. etc. in these
rooms and in the east room need repaint-
ing. The furniture in these apartments
and in other parts of the mansion should
be reupholstered and recovered, and new
window and door draperies are needed.
The usual annual appropriation of $4,000
is barely sufficient. says Col. Bromwell.
for the ordinary needs of the mansion and
an additional appropriation should be
made for the fiscal year commencing July
1, 1909, for the work mentioned.
An appropriation of $S,4OO Is recon-
mended for forty electric lights for the
waterside drives in sections 1 and of
Potomac Park. These driveways are not
now lighted and lights should be provided
for them. as has already been done for
the 18th street driveway and the drive
ways in East Potomac Park.
The sum of So, 600 Is asked for purchas-
ing cables and installing them in under
ground conduits for the use Of the de-
partmental telegraph line. The Western
Union Telegraph Company has just COM
pleted the laying Of conduits along Z
street from 14th street to North Capitol
street, and under the law is obliged To
give the United States the use Of one OF
them for its wires.
The amount requested will be used In
purchasing and installing cables in the
conduit, introducing them into the several
departmental buildings. the Capitol and
the government printing Office, and in
taking down and removing the poles and
| overhead wires of the present system
When this is done the entire departmental
telegraph line will be underground.
Col. Bromwell has asked for the sum OF
S. 600 for extraordinary repairs to green
houses at the nursery There are
twenty-eight greenhouses, three green
house pits and two cold frames at the
nursery, and the annual appropriation
| allowed for their repair and maintenance
Is but 81 600. One OF the houses is in q
very dilapidated condition and practically
useless, another OF the houses and a
greenhouse pit adjoining are liable to
coils pse at the first snowstorm. Three OF
the houses are in need of extensive re-
pairs and their boilers and pipes are also
| in bad condition.