Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-07

In this manner that the work can De uh
dertaken promptly. The water revenues
will not be sufficient to do the work for
a number of years to come. and then IL
would have to be done gradually IL is
very important that an appropriation De
made for the purpose, as an these I'M
portant suburbs-Congress Heights. Ben
ming kenilworth and Pinehurst-are at
present without water facilities, ana as
they are being rapidly developed such Ia
,cilities should be furnished If the ap-
preparation fs made the work couiu De
done within the next fiscal year
Additional Water Supply.
The Commissioners again call attention
to the necessity for an additional water
supply as recommended in their annual
report for last year, which was as follows:
Attention is again invited to the neces-
sity for the erection of another CONDUIT
from Great Falls to the city. The present
conduit. which was built in 1854. is not
in as good condition as 1t should De,
and In case of any accident happening to
It the entire water supply would nave 10
be cut off until repairs were made Be
Sides the ultimate capacity OF this con-
duit is 10000, 900 gallons, while the aver
age daily consumption of water is 6s.OO,Wo
gallons. and during the cold or winter
when the water users allow their Faucets
to run to prevent freezing the consump-
ton has reached 10000. 600 gallons and
remained at that figure for several days
resulting in lowering the water IN the
reservoirs five feet. This additional con-
duit has also been recommended DE tne
chief of engineers.
In the District appropriation act for the
fiscal year 1909 an appropriation OF SloOoo
was made for the purpose of making pre-
liminary investigations and surveys IL
is understood that a report will be made
to the next Congress by the Secretary OF
War Of the result of such Investigations.
During the year LOO additional build
ings were connected with the public water
system; The revenues during the year
were S547,5O7. 95. These revenues are
made up from assessments levied for
water mains and from water rents. This
sum is an increase over the revenues or
the last fiscal year of $11.oo7.OS
Water Meters.
Four thousand three hundred and thir-
ty-nine water meters were installed In
private residences during the year, max
ing the total number now in use 126O6.
These meters were installed in the north
ern part of the city and county embrac-
ing the portions Of the District served by
the pumping station and also a portion
Of the city supplied by gravity. Included
in this territory are the subdivisions OF
BrookIand. Langdon and lexington ana
the Conduit road and that portion of West
Washington extending to the water front
and as far east as Rock creek. The por-
ton Of the city in the vicinity Of Florida
avenue to Rhode Island avenue ana
4th street west to lexington east was
completed. The work will be continued
until all private residences are supplied
with meters. The average cost OF the IN
stallation of meters is $19.25 for a meter
five-eighths inch in size and $23.A for
meter three-fourths inch in size.
The early and vehement objection on
the part of some of the residents to the
installation Of these meters has pract1-
cally subsidized, and 1t Is believed that the
citizens appreciate that this is the only
accurate method of determining the
charges for the use of water. These
meters also prevent the waste OF water,
which had assumed large proportions
prior to their installation. The rate
charged is cents per 100 cubic feet with
a minimum rate to all consumers of
$3.50 per annum. Water-rent bills are
delivered to householders annually at
the minimum rate. and if, on actual meas
urement taken of the meter. water is
used In excess of this rate, as calculated
upon the basis of cents per 100 cubic
feet. bill is rendered for the excess
water used.
e. Aqueduct and Filtration Plant.
The bill introduced in the last Congress
providing for the transfer Of the Wash
ington acqueduct and filtration plant
to the Commissioners failed to become a
law, and the Commissioners earnestly
recommend that such a law be passed
at the next session of Congress. The
jurisdiction over the water-supply system
is now placed by law under the chief of
engineers of the United States Army,
while the Jurisdiction of the waterfalls
tribution system Is under the Commits
sioners. 1t would tend to much better
administration II the entire water system
were under one control. The division
causes division Of the responsibility. the
0uNl1CAtfOn OF WOYk and ho -
OF duplicate force. Part Of the water
mains are under the control of the War
Department and part under the control
OF the Commissioners. The water dis
trlDuted nows from one set Of mains to
the other and back again in the supply
OF government and private buildings The
chief OF engineers has recommended such
transfer.
gress at Its last session a special report
on the Improvement of the harbor front
OF the city Of Washington, and this re-
port was printed as Senate document 51s,
Sixtieth Congress, first session In this
report the Commissioners recommended
the Improvement at an estimated cost Of
$3.50, 900. OF this sum the work OF inn
proving the harbor front Of the city itself
was wa estimated at SAT- 900. OF which ST.
$4,000 was for the building OF new bulk
head walls. new piers and improving
Water street. and the balance was for
moving back and rebuilding the sea wall
On liza Opposite SIDE OF the river and OF
dredging the river itself, which work
II under the jurisdiction Of the War De-
partment. The balance of the sum rec
commended was for the purchase Of land
abutting the water front between Shep-
herds Landing and Giesboro Point and
from Giesboro Point to Massachusetts
avenue, and for tina preparation of plans
and surveys for the reclamation of the
Anacostia river from Massachusetts ave-
nue. to the District line.
The pnOQf S,fa1 Oheorx,o finv, rs %hn
water front of the city Of Washington
demonstrates the necessity for its Inn
provement This wharf property came
under the control Of the Commissioners
OF the District Of Columbia about the
year 1903. and then consisted Of a lot Of
frame structures in q bad state of repair,
and practically the same condition exists
today
The improvement contemplates the tear
ing down Of all existing structures. the
rebuilding Of bulkhead walls. and the
construction Of docks which would be
leased for passenger and freight traffic
The revenue received from these wharves
amounts to about $4,000 a year This
can be greatly increased IL more ade-
ouate facilities are furnished shipping
interests. The purchase Of the land re-
ferred to would give the District Of CO.
lunbia control Of practically all the river
frontage In tina District, with the ex-
ception Of that portion on the George
town channel. The Commissioners be-
heve that this improvement should be
started at once by appropriating money
for the purpose. and they have asked
for an appropriation Of $500. 900 to start