Evening star., 1913-12-03
SURVEYORS OFFICE.

l n
The work of the surveyor shows a de-
crease in work done for private parties
but an Increase In work done by the Dis
trict Of Columbia and the United States
The work done for private parties is paid
for by fees. and the receipts for fees
during the year were $16.6O832, as COM
pared with $19, ,5O4.55 for the preceding
year-a decrease Of $2S96. %. The de-
crease In private work is due to the fall
ing OF of building operations which is re-
ferred to in that portion of the report re-
garding private building construction.
AS indicated by surveys and subdivi-
siOns made by the surveyor during the
year, 1t would seem that the suburban
development of the District has not been
as great as in the preceding year. The
total number Of new blocks created by
the District was 34
Among the large surveys made for the
District and the United States were the
survey of about ], 500 acres of land for
the proposed reformatory site near Occo-
quan, Va, and a survey of the property
proposed to be taken for q park connec-
ton along Rock creek. between the Zoo
logical Park and Potomac Park.
An appropriation Of $25, 600 was made
for the acquisition Of small parks at the
intersection Of streets outside the limits
OF the original city Of Washington. Eight
triangles have been selected for con-
demnation under this appropriation. the
plats being prepared by the surveyor, and
condemnation proceedings are to be in
stituted for their acquisition.
The surveyor invites attention to the
necessity OF a further appropriation to
acquire other desirable triangles before
improvements are made on them which
would render their acquisition more ex-
pensive.
The surveyor is engaged in making sur
veys OF old subdivisions to establish their
lines, under an appropriation of s.. 500
made for the purpose during the year.
Many old property lines which were not
properly marked when the subdivisions
substantial monuments planted. He asks
that the appropriation for this work be
continued for another year.
Street and Alley Extensions.
But few alley condemnation cases were
handled during the year on account Of
a judicial decision holding that the meth
cd Of advertising which had been follow
ed for several years did not comply with
the requirements of law. Legislation pro-
viding for correction of the law in
this particular has been enacted recent
ly by Congress. There are many alley
condemnation cases pending which 1t
is intended to take up under the law
as changed.
In the District appropriation act for
the fiscal year 1914, approved March 4,
1913, the Commissioners were authorized
to open. extend, or widen any street,
avenue, road, or highway to conform
to the plan Of the permanent system of
highways In that portion of the District
of Columbia outside of the city of Wash
ington. Previous to the granting of this
authority 1t was necessary to have
special legislation from Congress. I'm
der this authority the total cost of ac-
quiring the land for the streets, includ-
ing the expenses of the condemnation
proceedings, is required to be paid en-
tirely from District revenues, and the
benefits. No proceedings have as yet
been started under this authority. but
several are contemplated. Any proposed
streets not in accordance with the high
way plans would have to receive special
authorization from Congress.
The District code also gives the Com
missioners general authority to open.
widen and extend minor streets and
alleys under the same provisions as to
charging the cost against District
revenues. and making assessments
therefor, as is provided for streets con-
demned under the highway plan.
Trees and Parkings.
The number Of trees planted on
streets. in school yards and on play
grounds during the year was Ash. and
the number Of trees removed 2.79s.
making q net increase during the fiscal
year 1918 Of 1,772.
The total number Of trees planted
along streets. in school yards and on
year was 1O2.5ss. There are 2ss52
miles of streets on which trees have
been planted. an increase of 5.82 miles
over the preceding year. The trees are
the mileage is based on 352 trees per
mile. The total number planted on
streets is 101.s15. The amount ex-
pended in the planting and care Of
trees planted were elms, gingkpks. lin
dens, Norway, sugar. and silver naples,
pin and red oaks. and sycamores.
The seed beds of the District nur-
series are well stocked with varieties
used for street planting
The work of spraying the trees for
the determination Of leaf-destroying
insects has given satisfactory results.
and the trees are generally In good
A severe storm on August 9, 1913,
caused great damage to the trees. and
the cost OF removing trees and the
branches blown down was over $4,000.
Street and Alley Cleaning.
The street and alley cleaning division
serves a population of about 331. .OOO and
covers an area OF approximately seventy
square miles. 1t has charge Of the clean
Ing Of all streets. avenues and alleys
In the District Of Columbia, except such
work on the outlying country roads and
suburban streets as is done under the
supervision Of the superintendent of
county roads. This work is done under |
the immediate direction of the superin- |
tendent OF street and alley cleaning. and |
not by contract. He also has supervision |
over the collection and disposal Of gar ]