Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-07

teen condemnation proceedings were also
instituted for the opening of alleys.
The assistant engineer of street and
alley extensions also conducts negotia-
tions for the purchase of land for rnu-
nicipal purposes, such as sites for sohool-
houses. fire-engtne houses. and poll sta
lions. Most OF these sites are obtained
by purchase. but in two cases condemna-
ton proceedings were resorted to The
total amount expended in the acquisition
of such sites during the year was S1Ta.-
O26.64. Of which Sl63, 1892 was for school
sites alone.
Trees and Parking
The number of trees set out during the
year was 3.98s, an increase of $50 over
the preceding year. The number of trees
removed was 1875. The number of trees
on the streets and in school yards at the
close of the year was 96.075. a net in
crease of 2,o40 during the year. The mile
age Of streets planted with trees is 529. %.
an increase in mileage during the year
of 6.76 The amount expended in the
plantne and care of trees and parks was
$40, 1864.
The varieties of trees planted were
ash. gingko, linden; Norway. silver, and
sugar naples; pin. pyramdal, and red
oaks: and sycamores.
Thirteen thousand one hundred and
nurseries. These seedlings when they at
tain proper growth will be used in street
planting.
The total length of sewers eonstruc; ed
during the year was 20 miles. The total
length of sewers in the District of Co
lumbia on June 30, 1909. was 54126 miles.
The total cost of the sewer system at the
close of the fiscal year was for the sewer
age system SO, 6ss, 6sl.62. The cost of the
sewage-disposal system was $4,031. SSS. q.
Suburban Sewers.
The rapid building up of the suburban
portions of the District of Columbia re-
quires the extension of suburban trunk
sewers. The Commissioners estimate
that in the next twelve years the amount
necessary for this purpose will be $1,000
O00. This Is one of the large projects
which the Commissioners have ment .oned
elsewhere in this report, and which they
believe should be carried on under the
new system of financing such large
projects; In the meantime they have in
cluded in their estimates for the fiscal
year 1911 the sum of $4,000 toward this
work.
In connection with the subject of SUBJ
urban sewers. attention is invited by the
superintendent Of sewers to the important
subject of maintaining the two streams
running through the District, namely,
Rock creek and the Eastern branch, free
from sewage pollution. These streams
have their source in and flow through the
state of Maryland before they reach the
District of Columbia. While the sewer
age plans for the District of Columbia
provide for keeping them free from Dis
trict sewage, by means of intercepting
sewers, they form natural systems of
drainage for large areas with the state
of Maryland in which the population is
increasing. The only practicable method
of handling the matter SO as to prevent
the pollution of these streams where they
flow through Maryland is to authorize
by legislation the appointment of sew
age commiss on or board for the District
of Columbia, which would act with a
similar commission appointed by the gov
ernor Of the state of Maryland to ar
range for the intercepting of all sewage
which would under natural cond tions
flow into these streams, and the discharge
of same through the sewage disposal
system of the District. The present con-
ditions are not such as to render this a
matter Of immediate urgency, but the
subject is one which will need considera-
ton n the future, and II is believed it is
not too soon t. begin a study of the prob
lem. Rock creek Is a beautiful stream
national park of over 1000 acres, and
every effort should be made to keep the
stream free of pollution. The same ar
gument would apply to the Anacostia
river, as with the flats existing there
adjacent to the city of Washington the
sewage entering into the stream s de-
posted on these flats and exposed during
periods Of low water. creating condi-
ton which is menace to public health.
Sewerage Pumping Station.
The operations Of the sewerage pump
ing station during the year included the
handling of the sewage of substantially
the entire District of Columbia, and of de-
livering it to the outlet on the Potomac
River, about opposite Alexandria, Va.
The total amount of sewage pumped was
%, 93s. ooo.ooo gallons. and of storm water
$40, COX, 900 gallons The amount of coal
used was 1896, 900 pounds. The pump
ing equipment met all requirements of
the service for the year
Buildings.
The estimated value Of building work
during the year. not including the build
ings of the United States Government
was $14, 1855 O59. which was an increase
over the value of the building work for
the preceding year of S6,o73,4 s2: the num-
Der of permits issued was 1906 an in
crease over the previous year of 1.OOS; the
number of dwelling houses constructed
was 2,170. an increase of $40 over the
preceding year; the number of apartment
houses. IS, an increase of As over the
preceding year. and the number of BUSH
ness buildings. 207, an increase of - over
the previous year.
The distribution OF the value OF these
improvements, including repairs to exist
ing buildings, is as follows:
Section. Buildings Repairs
Northwest ............... $3. 461, 1907 S95T 5g7
Southwest .............. 3Ss. 800 120,05S