davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-05
SEWERS.

The length OF main and pipe sewers
constructed during the year was 2015
miles. The total length of main and
pipe sewers in the District of Columbia
on June 80. 1916, was 7O2.06. of which
1888 are main sewers and 562.53 miles
are pipe sewers. The total cost of the
sewerage system to June 30. 1916. was
$13,294,695.25. The cost of the sewage
disposal system to June 80. 1916. was
$4.671,27 making the total cost Of
the complete sytem to June 80. 1910.
$17.965.s74.44. =
The main sewage outfalls of the sew
ages-disposal system on the Potomac
river about opposite Alexandria were
under observation throughout the year.
In general the condition of the river
water continued good. the beaches free
of any disposit, and the river bottom
failed to disclose appreciable evidence
of sludge deposits. There is an sp-
moval of a considerable portion Of the
organic matter in sewage before dis-
charging ii into the river. This has
been indicated during the year by doors
observable for the first time over con-
siderable areas in the vicinity of the
outfall. With the increasing volume
of sewage these conditions will grad
ually grow worse unless an adeQuaee
remedy is applied. This remedy would
involve the installation Of sewage-
treatment works. and the Commission
CONTINUED on Twenty-first Pagel.e-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-05

The sums appropriated for expendi-
| lures during the year under this head
were as follows: For paving new road
ways and repairing old roadway pave
ments. 5.40o; for the construction
and repair of suburban roads. s139. 200;
| for grading streets. alleys and roads.
$4,000.
The types of fixed roadway pavements
! laid during the year were sheet asphalt,
asphalt block and concrete. But linn
tied amount Of asphalt block was laid
in comparison with sheet asphalt, due
to the low prices received during the
year for sheet-asphalt pavement.
The prices paid under contract for
roadway pavements during the year
were as follows: Laying sheet-asphalt
two Inch binder, before compensatory,
with six-inch concrete base. S1.49 per
square yard; laying vitrified-block gut
tiers. with six-inch concrete base. 81 - !;
laying sheet-asphalt pavement (212-
| inch asphalt surface. two-inch binder.
before compensatory, with fve-inch
concrete base. $1.43; laying vitrified-
block cutters. with fve-inch concrete
base. Sis; allowance for stone fur
nished by the District of Columbia: On
District wharf. per cubic yard. 30 cents;
on barges alongside District wharf.
per cubic yard. 10 cents.
The prices for the fiscal year 1917 are
as follows: Laying sheet-asphalt pave
ment (2h-inch asphalt surface. two
inch binder. before compensatory. with
six-fnch concrete base. $1.44 per square
ward: laying vitrifed block with six
inch concrete base, $1.30: laying sheet
asphalt pavement (2z-inch asphalt
surface, two-inch binder, before COM
pression), with five-inch concrete base.
81 40: laying vitrified block, with Ave-
inch concrete base. $1.2
The current prices for resurfacing
and repairing asphalt pavements under
a contract for period of two years
beginning July 1. 1915. are as follows:
Laying sheet-asphalt pavement c1a-
inch asphalt surface, two-inch binder,
before compensatory, with six-inch con-
crete base, $1.51 per square yard: lay
inch sheet-asphalt surface ON inches
before compensatory, 81 cents; laying
asphalt binder Gin connection with re-
surfacing work., per cubic foot, "A
cents laying sheet-asphalt surface Tor
repairs, etc, within the space required
by law to be kept in repair by street
railway companies. per cubic foot. Al
cents; laying asphalt binder for re.
pairs, etc. within tho space required
BY law to be kept in repair by street
railway companies. per cubic foot ~
cents.
In suburban road construction. in ad-
dition to the roadways paved with
sheet asphalt under contract, there
were constructed about 11.230 square
Yards, or O. SO mile, of cement roadways;
2O,188 square yards. or IL miles OF
macadam roadway, and 0.744 square
yards. or OLA mile. Of gravel roadway.
In addition. the grading of suburban
streets aggregated 25.437 cubic yards.
| The larger part of the appropriation
| for repairs to suburban roads was OK.
pended in the repairing Of the trunk
] lines of travel. Among the principal
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-05
ROCK CREEK PARK.

The Jurisdiction and control oveR
Rock Creek Park is placed by law uns
der the Commissioners OF the Districe
Of Columbia and the chief OF engineers,
United States Army. acting Jointly. The
amount appropriated for the care and
maintenance Of the park during the
year was $4,000. The principal jms
provement during the year was the
completion of the matchmaking OF
Ross road. which was begun In the pre-.
ceding fiscal year. The sum spent on
this work was $4.662.12. In the gens
eral repair and care of the park
Ss.694.9s was expended. and in the cut.
ting and hauling of fallen timber
$1,342.92. The timber was cut into fire.
wood. Of which 222 cords were sold to
the public schools and thirty cords to
from this source being turned in to the
Treasury. -
The bride path along the west side
Of Rock creek was widened and relo.
Gated for about three-fourths of a mile
and connected with the bridle-path sys.
TEN farther west. Additional tempos
rary toilet facilities were provided. two
base ball diamonds were laid OF. the
existing swimming pools were provided
with rustic shelters and one new swim.
ming pool established. 1t is proposed
during the ensuing year to clear Of un.
dergrowth as much as possible the area
of the park adjacent to roadways. and
in the more frequented sections Of Rock
Creek Park and the Piney Branch Parks
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-05
Collection Of City Refuse.

At the last session of Congress the
Commissioners recommended an appro-
priation of 100000 toward the pur-
chase of site and the construction of a
plant for the disposal of city refuse, in
accordance with plans which had been
prepared under an appropriation made
by Congress. The total cost of such
plant was estimated at $sS5.900. This
appropriation was not made. The con-
tracts for the disposal of garbage, ref
use and dead animals expire June 80,
1918. and unless municipal collection
and disposal Is authorized by Congress
in time to construct the plant before
the expiration of the present contracts
either new 1ong-term contracts must
be made or some other plan adopted to
carry on the work by contract during
the construction of the municipal
plant. The Commissioners have in
Guided in their estimates for the en-
suing fiscal year a modified plan. pro-
viding for the construction of reduc-
ton plant on land owned by the Dis
trict of Columbia at Blue Plains, D. c.,
to take care of garbage and dead ami
mails The question as to whether the
municipality Is to take care of the dis
posal of city refuse itself or to con-
tinue the method of collection and dis
posal by contract should be settled at
an early date.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-05
MUNICIPAL ASPHALT PLANT

The district of Columbia operates
portable municipal plant in the repair
Of asphalt pavements and the repair OF
macadaYn streets by the construction OF
an asrhalt-macadam wearing surface
thereon The plant was operated 2SS
working days during the year, with an
average daily output of 71b cubic feet
and fetal output Of 1ss,es4 cubic feet.
This output ID not the capacity OF the
plant, hut it's use is limited by the
needs of the service. Old material is
used to large extent in the manufac-
ture of the output. Old asphalt topping
removed from the streets IN resurfac-
ing is crushed to a finely broken prod
uct to which Is added new material
The materials purchased for use during
the year for this plant were as follows:
sand 2.1e0 30 cubic yards, per cubic yard. 81 .03
Asphaltic cement, 461.74 tons. per ton. -. 1000
Limestone DUST 205 tons. per ton. LIB
Screenings. S55 tons. per ton ........-.. LIZ
There was purchased for use in oper-
ating the crusher and mixer the fol-
lowing large items:
Fuel oil, 2s.927 gallons, per gallon. s0os1
Coal, ITO tons, per ton 541
Wood, so cords (average). per cord..-... 500
The details of the cost Of operation
are contained in the report OF the en-
gineer of highways. The cost of the
pTOuuCI lehlu oii ehO Oh cSS 90 SOiH Poi GU
with the contract price of similar
product is as follows:
Municipal Contract
plant per price, per
cubic IT. cubic IT.
Asphalt surface (class b.. $0.3s s0.47
Asphalt surface (ciass AZ. asp 80
Asphaltic binder fclass al. .3447 80
Asphaltic binder (class b.. 1880 Al
The total cost of minor repairs to
sheet-asphalt pavements during the
year was $41.9S2.41.
This cost represents the maintenance
Of all asphalt streets not under guar
anty by contractors. total yardage of
2,396.063 The cost per square yard was
therefore about 10 cents.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-05
HEALTH DEPARTMENT,

Deaths numbered s.5o5 in the calen-
during the preceding calendar year.
The death rate rose. therefore. from
1888 to 1918, or 9.6 per cent. This is
the highest recorded death rate since
the calendar year 1910. The same ap-
parently high death rate has continued
during the frst six months Of the cal
endar year 1915. when deaths numbered
Ass. substantially the same number
as was reported during the correspond
ing period of the preceding year, 1855
Careful inquiry has failed TO reveal any
cause FOR this Increase. In view, how
ever. OF KS wide distribution through
out the entire range OF causes of death
and among both races and all age pc
riods. and in the absence of any cor
responding increase in mortality In
any other city, IL seems probable that
the increase was apparent rather than
real and that il Is the result Of some
discrepancy between the methods of
enumerating the population in 1919
and In 1878 Possibly the fact that the
carrier census was taken about the LIST
OF May while the latter was taken
about the LIST Of November may account
IoF the difference. The fact that the
enumeration of November, 1915, when
compared with the enumeration Of
April, 1913. shows an increase OF popu-
lation amounting to but one-half OF 1
per cent tends 10 support the nypothe-
SIS every day observation giving a
very strong impression of greater
Growth OF the population during the
interval between these censuses
Even. however, II the high death rate
Tor the calendar year 1915 be accepted
as an established fact. yet when the
neath rate of that year is conpared
with the average annual death rate for
the hve-year period l90S-l9Io the gen
erai downward trend of mortality is
SHOWN. This general downward ten
oency In the death rate is due. how
ever. TO a decrease in the number Of
deaths from communities BILE diseases and
diseases generally that are preventative
by public efforts and has occurred moi
Withstandlng tendency toward an in
crease in the deaths due to faulty per-
eonal habits beyond the reach OF GOV
eminent agencies except through edu-
The death rate from pulmonary tn
oerculosis decreased from 222 TO 1as
per 100000. Deaths from typhoid fever
decreased 35 to IL. Deaths from diar
rhea. among children under two years
OF age. decreased from 81 to Al None
OF the other communicable diseases.
except pneumonia and grip. now con-
tribute materially to the general death
rate. In contradistinction from the de-
creases Just stated the following in
ersases are to be noted: Organic heart
disease. from 1es to 204; pneumonia,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-05
Sidewalks are paved with cement and

Sidewalks are paved with cement and
alleys with vitrified brick or asphalt
block: 1929 square yards of vitrified
brick and 5,439 square yards of asphalt
block pavement were laid in alleys
There was also 2.940 square yards OF
concrete pavement laid in alleys, this
being a new departure during the year
The cement sidewalks laid aggregated
1902 square yards. One-half the cost
Of curbs. sidewalks and alley paving is
assessed against the abutting property
except In the case Of public buildings
and reservations. Cement sidewalks
are laid under contract and alleys are
paved by day labor.
The contract prices paid for laying
cement sidewalks during the year were
as follows:
For large jobs adjoining paved streets,
per square yard SO.Dl
For large jobs adjoining unpaved streets
and for all small jobs. per square yard. IL!
For the fiscal year 1917 tn prices are
as follows:
For large Jobs adjoining paved streets.
per square yard .......-..-....-.-...$0 OBS
For large Jobs adjoining unpaved streets
and for all small jobs, per square yard. 1.17h
The initiative in the matter of paving
sidewalks and alleys Is generally left
with the owners of abutting property
the Commissioners requiring a ma
jority petition for such work before 1t
is ordered. Exceptions are made, how
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-05

from 1853 to 1873; Bright's disease. from
131 to Ill: apoplexy. from ss to 1928:
malignant growths, from 50 to ITO. and
arteriosclerosis. from Is to 43. The
lesson to be learned from these figures
seems to be that 1t is now Of prime i'm
portance to equip the health depart
ment with facilities for a search with
respect to the prevention of the dis
eases that appear now to be on the in
crease, and with means for instilling
into the public mind and the mind Of
the individual such knowledge as now
seems to be available with respect to
the influence of personal habits on
these diseases. The work of a modern
health department is no longer merely
that of combating communicable dis
cases. but 1t must engage in general
campaign for increased bodily vigor
and for the prevention of diseases Of
all kinds.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-05
DISPOSAL OF CITY REFUSE.

New contracts for the collection and
disposal of city refuse went into eff
feet at the beginning Of the fiscal year.
The contract prices were as follows:
Garbage, s69,S4o per annum; miscel-
laneous refuse, s2s,400 per annum;
ashes. $4,000 per annum; dead ami
mails. s2.9SS per annum.
The contracts for garbage, miscel-
lansous refuse and dead animals were
for,a three-year period ending June 80,
1913. The contract for ashes was for
a one-year period ending June 80,
1916. For the fiscal year 1917 a new
contract was made for a period of
two years at price of $4,000 per an
mum.
The unit costs are as follows:
Garbage. per ton. 1874: ashes. per
cubic yard. 81 cents: miscellaneous
refuse. per cubic yard. Is cents: night
soil. per barrel. s1.17; dead animals.
each. IA cents.
The per capita cost of this service is
about 81 cents,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-05

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 Law
sidewalks and curbs and to pave alleys,
and to give a hearing to the property
owners affected. The work is ordered
subsequent to such hearing when, in
the opinion of the Commissioners, it is
necessary for the public safety, health,
comfort and convenience. The dema nd
for this class of construction is con-
slant, and increased appropriations for
this work could be advantageously ex-
pended.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-05
Street and Alley Cleaning.

The street and alley cleaning divi-
sion serves a population of 357,749 and
covers an area of approximately sew
enty square miles. 1t has charge of
the cleaning of all streets. avenues and
alleys in the District of Columbia, ex-
cept such work on the outlying county
roads and suburban streets as is done
under the supervision of the superin-
tendent of county roads. The work is
done by day labor and not by con-
tract.
The best method OF cleaning streets
is by hand patrol, supplemented by
washing with either squeegees or
er particles are removed before they
have chance to be crushed by traffic
into dust. The washing removes all
fine dust. The area cleaned by this
method has gradually been increased,
and the expenditures for hand patrol
work and washing represent over
two-thirds of the expenditure in street
cleaning work. The street fushers are
used to clean roughly paved streets.
The unit cost per 1000 square yards
of this work is as follows:
Hand patrol, $0.132; machine sweep
ing. s0.144: alley cleaning. $0.326;
squeegeeing. $0106; flushing, s0.212.
The total cost of street cleaning, In
Guiding all charges except interest on
investment and depreciation, was
s297.31719. With the population served,
357.749, this gives a per capita cost of
s0S31.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-05
Veterinary Surgeon.

The veterinary surgeon reports the
following transactions during the year:
Thirty-two horses certified for pur-
chase.
Nineteen horses recommended to be
sold
Eleven horses recommended to be de-
stroyed.
Eighteen horses died.
One hundred and ninety-five horses
were treated at the hospital.
One hundred and seventy-three AMI
mails were recommended to be trans
ferred from one department to another.
Five hundred and twenty-one horses
have been branded.
The District Of Columbia now has in
its possession 71s horses and mules.
Roadway Pavements.
The accompanying table shows the
area in square yards of new roadway
pavements laid and old roadway pave
ments resurfaced during the year, with
the totals In square yards and miles of
the various kinds Of pavements at the
close of the fiscal year.
Comparative statement showing char
acter and extent of roadway pavements
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-05

brick buildings and 36.S78 frame build
ings In the District Of Columbia, of
which 1.529 brick and $40 frame were
erected during the year. There were
brick and seventy -ons frame buildings.
Permits for buildings are issued upon
the payment Of a fee. which IL intended
to cover the cost OF the open alton OF
the building inspectors Office. Tho
fees collected during the year AMOUNT,
over the preceding year. The receipts
for fees just about equaled the salaries
OF the office. but expenses Incurred for
transportation and contingencies made
the receipts. The building operations
in the District Of Columbia were the
largest since the year 1912.
About 500 passenger elevators were
inspected by the two elevator inspectors
during the year..
Inspection Of Steam Boilers
The number Of steam boilers inspect
ed by the inspector OF steam boilers
during the year was 525. The compen-
sation OF this official Is received from
fees paid by the owners Of the boilers
The total amount of fees reported by
him during the year was $4,000. and the
expenses of inspection 1925. leaving a
net compensation of $1,975.
Examination Of Steam Engineers.
The board of examiners of steam en-
gineers held So meetings. and examined
11S applicants, of whom 50 were found
competent and 70 incompetent.
Construction Of Municipal Buildings.
During the year seven buildings were
under construction, as follows:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-05

roads repaired were New Cut road.
Massachusetts, avenue extended, Rnooe
Island avenue extended. Pennsylvania
avenue southeast, Georgia avenue
northwest. Bladensburg road northeast
Michigan avenue northeast. Connecu,
cut avenue northwest and Benntng ROAD
northeast.
Approximately $34, 900 was expendeo
for surface treatments Of roadWays
with tar and oil and $1,000 for sprin-
king roadways with water.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-05
Special reports fled by employees num-

Special reports fled by employees num-
bered 1929.
Bureau of vital statistics-There were
recorded during the year 6.4s5 deaths
that occurred in the District OF Column
bia and 5s5\ deaths of persons whose
bodies were brought into the District
Of Columbia to be disposed Of. Birth
certificates numbered 1924 and still
birth certificates numbering 425 were
received One thousand one hundred
and seventy-nine transcripts were is
sued from the records of births, still
births, deaths and marriages, for which
fees amounting to $514 were collected.
health department at the close of the
year 1870 physicians authorized to
practice medicine in the District, SGT
dentists, 2s6 undertakers and ninety
two midwives.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-05

considerably increased over the previous
year: Considerable time was spent in
making a survey Of the Anacoetia river
ana dats for the purpose Of instftuting
In connection with reclamation OF these
Oats.
Under an appropriation Of $500 made
Tor surveys Of old subdivisions many old
boundary lines were marked out on the
ground. For the present fiscal year no
appropriation was made for this purpose.
although the work has not been COM
pleted.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-05
STREET EXTENSIONS.

During the year twenty-four street. al
ley and park condemnation cases were
prepared and fled, an increase OF six over
the previous year. Twenty-eight street
and park condemnation cases and fifteen
alley condemnation cases were under con-
sideration by the courts during the year.
Among the important cases were the
opening Of 18th street between Spring
road and Colorado avenue: Perry place
and Spring place; eleven small park
places; the widening Of Wisconsin ave-
nue. between Garfield street and the
District line: widening Of Naylor road
between Good Hope road and the Dis
trict line; the opening and extension
OF Calvert street and Cleveland avenue:
the widening Of Georgia avenue and OF
Benning road.
A table appended to the report OF the
surveyor gives the status of all con-
demnation cases instituted by the Dis
trlct Of Columbia where the proceed
ings have been instituted or have been
completed during the year.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-05
SIDEWALKS AND ALLEYS.

for paving sidewalks and alleys. and
in addition the sum of $4,000 for lay
ing sidewalks and curbs around public
reservations and municipal buildings.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-05
Trees and Parkings.

The number of trees on streets. in
school yards and on Fairgrounds at the
close Of the fiscal year was 104.4s0. The
trees planted during the year amounted
to 3,421. and those removed amounted
to 2.o6s. leaving net increase over
the preceding year Of 1856 trees. OF
the total number of trees. 104,306 are
planted along the curbs of streets. the
increase in the number of trees along
curbs being 1.488. The mileage Of trees
at the close of the year was 5s2.s4.
being an increase of SAG over the mile
age of the preceding year The trees
are planted on both sides of the street
and the mileage is figured on the basis
of 352 trees to the mile. The length of
streets planted with trees is 1862
miles. being an increase of 4.23 over
the preceding year. The amount ex-
pended for planting and care Of trees
was $43.879.63. The amount spent in
care and moving of .parkings was
$2.190.91. This Office also issued 1853
permits to grade parking terraces.
1t was not possible to undertake any
general trimming Of trees on account
Of the smallness of the appropriation.
and the total trees trimmed was only
1918.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-05
BUILDING OPERATIONS.

The estimated value Of building con-
struction. including repairs. during the
year. not including buildings under
construction by the federal govern
ment. was $13.495,535, an increase over
the preceding year of 81. 80. eO3
The number of permits issued for
buildings. building repairs. awnings.
signs, engines. motors. etc, was 5.797,
an increase of 226 over the preceding
year
The total number Of new buildings
constructed during the year was 1899,
an increase of 1853 over the preceding
year OF these 1,348 were dwellings,
an increase of 1914 over the preceding
year: sixty were apartment houses. an
Increase of eighteen over the preced-
ing year. and 430 were business build
ings. an increase Of 141 over the pre-
ceding year. The permits issued for
repairs to buildings were 1926. a de-
crease Of 1872 under the preceding year.
The distribution of the cost Of these
improvements. including repairs. is as
follows: