Evening star., 1923-12-03
) MILLIONS ASKED
FOR CAPITAL WORK
Gen. Beach Says This Sum
Is Needed for Parks, River
and Water System.

Approximately s5,0O0,00o can be
''profitably expended" during the COM
ing fiscal year for maintenance and
improvement of public buildings and
grounds. for continuing work on the
new conduit from Great Falls, for
partial reconstruction of the Execu-
tive Mansion and for various other
federal projects in the District of CO.
lumbia, according to Maj. Gen. Lam
sing H. Beach, chief of engineers Of
the Army, in his annual report sub
mitted to Congress today.
Some of these items have been in
cluded in the regular budget sub
mitted by the President, some have
been reduced in amount and others
are omitted entirely.
Half for Water System.
The largest item in Gen. Beach's list
is s2,500,000 for continuing work on
the project for increasing the water
supply OF the District, nearly half of
which amount is required for the con-
struction of the substructure of the
new filtration plant and pumping sta
tion to be located at the District line
just south of the dalecarlia or re-
ceiving reservoir. Due to the advance
of prices of construction material.
Gen. Beach estimates that the entire
construction of the new water sys-
tenn will cost 50, 900. an increase
of s441.000 over the original estimate.
That total comprises $5,925,000 for
new work within the District of Co
lumbia, s2,942,000 for new work out
side the District and S302,0o0 for re-
pairs to existing work. A special re-
port on the subject will be submitted
to Congress in a few days to show
that the work of construction Will be
delayed considerably unless the ap
this session. The sum Of $180,000 Is
asked for the maintenance and opera
tion of the Washington aQueduct to
meet current demands.
Work on River.
Reviewing the operations for the
Improvement of the Potomac river at
this city, the report says that the
total expenditures on the existing
project to date have been s3,283,256,
of which s2,455,S31 covered new work
and maintenance prior to March. 1893,
and the balance for maintenance since
that time. AS result of the opera
tfons Gen. Beach says that deep-draft
vessels can now enter the harborS of
Washington and Georgetown, freight
rates have been reduced and COM
merce facilitated. He says that as a
rule the wharves in the Washington
channel ARE in a very poor condi-
tion. except those operated by the
municipal and federal governments"
He adds that the terminal and trans
fer facilities at this city are made
quate and should be improved. Cur
rent operations consist of dredging
the Virginia channel and building a
levee around Columbia Island (re-
claimed area of 172 acres). The chief
of engineers says that $1,000 can be
profltably expended on the work dur
ing the next fiscal year, in addition
to an available balance Of s70,44S
from the last previous allotment.
Other items in the report are $780,
900 for Rock Creek Park, $4,000 for
Meridian Hill Park, SOS, 900 for East
ing of roadways; $4,000 for West
Potomac Park. $4,000 for a heating
plant in the propagating garden, s10,-
900 for Rock Creek Potomac Park
way. $15.500 for fire protection and
publication of water at tidal basin
bathing beach. $125,000 for general
park maintenance, $4,000 for reflect
ing pool. Lincoln Memorial; $4,000
for Washington Monument grounds,
including new drainage system; $780,
900 for widening inlet bridge, West
Potomac Park: $4,000 for improving
grounds at birthplace Of Washington,
Wakefield. Va: 100000 for roads
and sea wall, Lincoln Memorial: $780,
Hampshire avenue to G street, $15,-
600 for park Fairgrounds and $4,000
for painting house where President
Lincoln died