Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-12-07
ECOMNENDA TONS FOR THE @TTERMENT OF CIVIC affairs

For the fiscal year 1915 the prices are
as follows:
For large Jobs adjoining paved streets.
For large Jobs adjoining unpaved streets
and for all small Jobs. per square yard Liz
The initiative in the matter of paving
sidewalks and alleys is generally left
with the owners of abutting property,
the Commissioners requiring a major
ity petition for such work before it Is
ordered. Exceptions are made, how
ever. in cases where. on account of
public danger or other public reason,
the paving is demanded. The law re-
quires the Commissioners to advertise
for two weeks their intention to lay
sidewalks and curbs and to pave alleys
and to give hearing to the property
dered subsequent to such hearing when.
in the opinion of the Commissioners. 1t
is necessary for the public safety.
health, comfort and convenience. The
is constant. and increased approprfa-
lions for this work could advantage
ously be expended.
Bridges.
Contract was let during the year for
the construction of a bridge across
Rock creek on the line of Q street
northwest. and work under this con-
tract is now in progress.
Work on the project for the construc-
ton of a bridge across ROCK creek on
the line Of Pennsylvania avenue north.
west is in progress. and the work Will
be contracted for during the fiscal year
1915.
Smaller bridges were constructed
during the year as follows:
A rock-faced bowlder bridge across
col
which an appropriation of $4,000 was
made in the sundry civil act for the
fiscal year 1912. with a proviso that
the work should be done under plans
of the District of Columbia This was
steel-concrete bridge. having clear
span of eighty feet. and was con-
structed at a cost of $13.631.36. exclu-
sive of roadway, footways and ap-
proaches.
Three steel-concrete bridges were also
constructed over Watts branch at
Deane avenue. Grant street and 4sth
place northeast.
The sum of $4,000 was expended in
The principal work done was in re-
flooring the Anacostia bridge draw
span, the Chain bridge, the PennsylVa-
mia Avenue bridge across the Anacos-
tia river and the NJ Street bridge over
Rock creek The bridges over James
Creek canal at NJ and streets were
removed and the canal between these
points filled.
Appropriations are needed in the near
future for the replacement of the Aque-
duct bridge across the Potomac river.
the Calvert Street bridge across Rock
Creek and the replacement with per-
manent floor construction of the tim
Der floors on the NJ and Street
bridges across Rock creek The smaller
bridges now having wooden floors
should also be provided with permanent
floors.
Elimination of Suburban Grade
Crossings.
An appropriation of $4,000 has
been made for the elimination OF the
railroad grade crossing at Benning,
d. c., and plans for this work are
being prepared. All railroad grade
crossings have been eliminated within
the city limits, and the above-named
appropriation will provide Tor the
elimination of one OF the most dan
gerous crossings now existing outside
road.
Union Station Plaza.
The central island on the plaza In
front of the Union station was i'm
proved under a plan which called for
a grass treatment combined with such
necessary walkways as were deemed
necessary to give convenient access TO
the station. These walkways were
vitrified brick, which, combined with
the green of the grass, gives a very
pleasing effect. The masonry con-
struction on the plaza connected with
three large fiagstaffs were painted
Surveyors Office.
The work done under this Office is
of two classes. that done for private
parties and that done for the District
of Columbia and the United States.
The work done for private parties is
paid for by fees. The receipts of fees
during the fiscal year amounted to
S13,535.9O, as compared with $l6,60S.S2
for the preceding year. This decrease
is no doubt due to the general puilo-
ing depression which prevailed dur
ing the year.
Among the large surveys made for
the United States and the District OF
Columbia were those IN connectioh
with the reclamation of the Anacostia
river and fats: Typographical survey
of land for reformatory at OccoQuan,
and that for land for an addition to
the Geological Park This of1ce also
made a number of surveys under the
excise law.
The total number of new blocks or
squares created in subdivisions of
AGRICULTURAL land was fifty-nine, and
the number of new lots 2,706. This
was an increase over the preceding
year.
This Office also made the surveys for
the acquisition of small parks at the
intersection of streets outside Of the
limits Of the original city. for which
two appropriations of $4,000 each are
available Condemnation proceedings
were Instituted for obtaining eight
such small parks. and these proceed
ings are now pending. The eight
parks will probably use up the first
of $4,000. No selections
have vet been made under the second
Under the appropriation of $4,000.
made for surveys of old subdivisions
during the year, comprehensive sur
veys were made of Takoma Park,
Harlem, Wisconsin avenue from r
street to 35th street, Petworth and
Brightwood Park. Georgia avenue be-
tween Rock Creek Church road and
the District line, Palisades of the
Potomac, Woodley road and Cathedral
avenue north of Woodley Park; Lin
coin and Twining City, and square
25S8. The work will be of great ad-
vantage to the office in making accu-
rate surveys of squares and lots in 1
the localities mentioned.
Street and Alley Extensions.