The Washington times., 1910-12-06

what they are doing on this project
as follows
an compliance with a request from
The commissioners the Secretary II
the Interior bas Entrusted the Geo
logical Survey which IS bureau o.
the Interior Department with the
T preparation or preliminary report,
with plans and estimates as 70 cost
{ upon the feasibility OF transmitting
; 10 the DfstTicr OF Columbia the neces-
sary power for municipal lighting
purposes from the Potomac river
above Washington.
In a report made on July Is. 1895. 70
Z the Secretary of War by Col George
II Elliott and Capt John G. d
knight OF the Corps OF Engineers OF
Ile United states Army. in response
{ 70 resolution Of the Senate dated
March ], 1888, II IS stated
Great Falls Power.
-' We find that electrical power can be
transmitted from Great Falls 70 Wash
mgtOn; that there can be constructed
at reasonable cost a power canal
around the falls and a power plant be
low them that there are available at the
F.. lowest stages OF the river 6.g95-horse-
power without storage Of wgt,r above
the istllS IN the Seneca reach cf the river
ana 5roao-ilCE SepOETer with such storage.
The improvements In electrical and
hydraulic machinery and appliances since
that report have doubtless incr eased the
ne QeFelopment OF water power near
Z Washington
The Commissioners announce that
S45l,yJ0 was spent for paving new road
Ways ana Tor repavlug old rOadWays-
or this amount $4,000 was for resIlr-
racing and repairs. II Is recommended
mat the old block paving on Seventh
street. between Il and 2 streets north
H4lr -1r.~-.a ne =
and Thirteenth streets mort invest be re
placed by asphalt and that as rapidly
all block paving be replaced
In discussing street railways the Com
missiOners again invite attention TO the
necessity Of a central passenger station
Tor inteTurban and other electric cars.
u IS believed the construction OF such
a station should be required OF the street
railway companies as matter Of public
convenience
Aboct S23}090 was expended In paving
sidewalks and alleys About $3.50 was
expended in the construction and repair
OF country roads and suburban streets
The Commissioners report they have
found the oilinE of country roads and
suburban streets satisfactory, and they
advocate the continuance % this meth
OF Of LAYING ts.ISr
On the question OF bridges the Com
nissloners make the following recon-
mendati0n.
The Commissioners have Included IN
their estimates for the fiscal year 1872
an appropriation OF $500 toward con-
stTuctinE bridge across Rock Creek
or the line or . street. including the
condemnation OF the necessary land ap-
Prcaches thereto The total cost Of this
bridge, including approaches. IS estimat-
ed at $3.50, and the appropriation
asked IS To start the work"
Surveyors Office Work.
The work of the surveyors Office Is
described by the Commissioners, and
said 10 be greater than in the year
previous LegislatiO. improving tbs
methods OF designating parcels OF land
is recommended.
In describing the street and alley ex-
tension OF the year the Commissioners
touch on one feature IN particular, IS
"One of the most important street.
extension measures was that authoriz-
ing the Commissioners to condemn and
acquire the fee-simpie utle including
the riparian rights, OF q strip Of land
for a roadway and park along the Ana
costa river from Monroe street to Gies-
bOro Point
IN the report Of Hugh T. TazEart.
special counsel on the ownership Of
land and riparian rights along the Ana
costa river. II was stated that the
United States owned the bed Of the
river and to the highwater line along
the shores Il is important that this
high-Water line be accurately deter
mined by an Official survey as IL Is
receCing rapidly. The estimated cost
of making this survey is 5000, and the
surveyor recommends an immediate sr,-
preparation for the purpose The value
OF having such a record is apparent, a
1t would prevent expensive lawsuits
and much delay in the future develop
ment of the park system along the
Eastern branch
The following Tec0snm eIdation is made
concerning trees for the District:
Because OF the limited funds apprO-
DTiated for the care Of trees and park
ing. il has not been possible efectually
TO keep down the growth of weeds II
the parking on suburban streets. For
the same rCason the continuous tree
spaces between the curb and sidewalk
have not been given proper attention.
These unDa, ed strips are provided for
the express raneft of the trees and
should be sOv.ed IL grass. both for the
benefit Of the trees and for the i'm
proved appearance or the streets which
would there oy he c-eSted-
Generally speaking the amount ap-
prOpriated for the care Of trees and
parking has been &; sufficient. II Is
the intention Of the Commissioners to
ask fer an increased appropriation for
the next fiscal year. While the growth
CT the District has been continuous.
and the extension Of tree service has
sums appropriated for the planting ann
maintenance of trees has practically re
manned at the same figure fOr many
years"
The Commissioners recommend the
creation Of a sewer commission by the
District and Maryland. Tor the purpose