Evening star., 1921-09-30
CONDUIT PROSPECTS
WORRY ENGINEERS
Present Flume Has Reached
Obsolete state-Danger
of Break Increasing.

Wn3t the attitude Oh ccOcTdi Duu-
get Oficer Dawes and former Senator
Sherman, his assistant in charge OF
the District budget, will be toward
recommending a large appropriation
for continuing work on Washington's
S10.00O.000 water supply conduit au-
thorized by Congress last spring Is
giving government engineer officials
considerable concern, it was indicated
today. This Is because of increasing
indications. it is stated. that the pres.
ent conduit has reached state OF
obsolescence making likely at any
time complete breakdown Of the
capitals water supply system.
s- Acted ON Tyler Report.
When Congress tackled >the conduit
item on the Regular Army appropri-
alton bill as an emergency measure
1t acted on. report by Maj. NJ T.
Tyler of the Corps Of Engineers OF
War Department. to the effect that
Washington is in danger OF being
confronted with a water famine at
any time and that a new supply line
should be built with the least delay
possible.
new conduit at approximately $1O.-
100000 and three years as the shortest
fine in which the improvement could
be provided.
Congress approved the report and
made available an initial appropria-
effect. Preliminary work on the prof.
ect has been started under the direc-
tion of Maj. Tyler and borings are
now being made along the right-of-
way in the vicinity of Great Falls.
Approved Quick Construction.
In adopting the Tyler report in toto.
Congress approved the recommenda-
tion in the report that the conduit be
constructed in the shortest time possi-
bic. 1t generally was understood that
Congress. by this action. held so vital
to the welfare of the people of Wash
ington and the protection OF govern
ment property. virtually pledged it.
self to appropriate approximately So
600 900 a year for three years in order
to assure the building of the new
water artery in that length of time,
as recommended in the Tyler report.
War Department officials and the
District Commissioners stood back OF
this program, and it is believed that
the District budget, which is now be-
fore Gen. Dawes. provides for an ex-
penditure of at least $3,000,0OO during
the next fiscal year on the water prof.
ect. The Commissioners are prohibit
ed from publishing the recommended
tions contained in the budget in ad-
vance of its reaching Congress.
Apprehension Has Developed.
Neither Gen. Dawes nor former Sem
ator Sherman was in washington
when the seriousness of the water
situation was called to the attention
of Congress. For this reason appre-
hension has developed in some quar-
fers that the federal budget officials
may not be fully informed of the
danger that would be involved in any
slowing up of the proposed CONDUIT
construction program.
The budget officer may increase or
decrease the amount recommended by
the District Commissioners. Should
he slice the item, it is certain that
the civic forces which united in a
petition to Songress to EXPEDITE water
legislation again will appeal to Con-
gress for a carrying out OF the con-
struction schedule as originally plan
ned, it was said by local organization
leaders today.
that the existing conduit may go out
of commission at any time. Maj. Tyler
is pushing the preliminary work on
the new line with the view of laying
the foundation for a three million
dollar work program next ysars
Beginning to Hreathe Easlsr.
District water department officials
are beginning to breathe easier as
the summer months of high water
consumption draw to a close with
out having imposed breaking strain
or the conduit. More than sixty years
old, the conduit this summer has been
delivering about 100000 gallons Of
water a day above Its $4,000, 900 gal
!. Ion safe capacity mark. Engineer
officers are a unit in the belief that
the nine-foot brick tunnel through
which Washington derives it's entire
water supply doubtless has been
close on many occasions to succumb-
ing to the unreasonable strains that
have been placed upon it. The tun-
mel is SO constantly in use that it
cannot be emptied for repairs-an-
other factor that is adding daily to
the likelihood Of q break, in the line
which might jeop&rlize the lives of
Washingtonians and subject govern
ment and private property here to
the greatest fire hazards.