Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-28
WATER STORY, HIT BY SIMMONS,
BACKED BY CORRESPONDENCE
Plans for House Office Building Supply,
Originally Called Extravagant,
Subsequently Changed

In his speech in the House yesterday
on the District appropriation bill, Rep
resentative Simmons OF Nebraska re-
ferTed to q recent article in The Star
on the proposed water service for the
new House once Building as IAN indi-
cation Of the unfairness OF those who
attempt to get more for less from the
United States"
The story disclosed that plans had
been under consideration to make two
connections to the Districts water Sys-
tenn, capable Of furnishing at peak
load a total of approximately 100000
gallons over a 24-hour period. The
major portion Of this water would have
been used in q scientific ventilattng
system, which it is planned to install
IN the new building.
Simmons pointed out that such ex-
traVagant use Of water was not con-
templated. He said the total consump-
ton would amount to 100000 gallons
a day of which the ventilating system
would use 11a gallons.
Economical System Revealed.
The Star revealed this Monday in
another story, which showed that the
original plans had been revised to pro-
vide a cooling tower for the ventilating
system, which would make it decidedly
economical in the use Of water.
The first story published in The Star
indicating that at peak consumption
l 800, 900 gallons would have been drawn
from the water system was based on
information furnished by Capt. Hugh
Dram, Assistant Engineer Commissioned
of the District, who has administrative
net
and official correspondence exchanged
between D. w. Holton, superintendent
of the department., and George A.
weschler, . consulting engineer re-
tanned by the Allied Architects, Inc,
which Is preparing the plans for the
new building. This story, according to
Capt. Dram, outlined accurately the
plans that had been furnished the
Water Department.
Following publication Of this story,
however, Weschler revealed that the
plans had been revised, to provide for
the installation of q cooling tower which
would make it possible to economic In
the use of water for the ventilating
system. David Lynn, supervising archi-
tect Of the Capitol, also advised Capt.
Dram that the normal consumption of
water at the new building would amount
to approximately 100000 gallons day.
Department Ignorant Of Change.
Up until that time the Water De-
partment had no knowledge Of any
change in the plans. It was busily en-
gagged making tests to determine what
mains in the vicinity of the new build
ing would have on pressures in the
surrounding area.
Correspondence on flle in tie Water
Department shows that lGr. We5cller
flrst informed it of plans for the water
service for the new building In letter
dated February 26. 1t read:
IT am inclosing herewith sketch No.
3, showing the locations Of the two
water services which will be required
for the new House once Building. Both
should not be less than 20 pounds to
service this building.
Eat the suggestion of Mr.. Harrison,
chief engineer of the Capitol plant.
auxiliary house pumps and a tank will
be installed on the service near Q street
to guard against any possible lowered
pressure.
will you please investigate and let
me know whether these two services
can be supplied at the points ndi-
cated?"
HOIton Forwards Reply.
The following day, February ~, Supt.
Holton Of the Water Department replied
as follows:
with reference to your letter Of Feb
rlary 20 concerning two 8-inch water
services required for the new House
Office Building, will advise that the size
of the existing 8-inch main Will not per-
NIT the installation Of 8-inch services,
as it Is the policy of the department to
allow only 8-inch connections from
8-inch mains.
"It Is requested that, If possible, you
furnish this once with statement
showing the approximate amount Of
water to be used daily, also the peak
load. as it will be necessary to lay
larger mains in the immediate vicinity
properly to supply two connections Of
the size required If the latter are to
supply water at a rate OF how any
where near their full capacity:
Under date of March S, Mr.. WeSchler
replied to Mr.. Holton's request for adj
ditional information. His letter follows:
with reference to your letter Of Feb
ruary 81 requesting statement show
ing the approximate amounts OF water
to be used, I wish to inform you that
the peak load for the connection at the
north end will be approximately $40
gallons per minute, and for the south
will be approximately 2S9 gallons per
minute.
February IS to make provision for an
eight-inch supply at both locations.
7'The amount Of the water to be used
at the south end as stated above, viz,
sac gallons q minute, might indicate
a line smaller than eight inches, say
'Hct> more than six inches.
"I requested an eight-inch line be-
cause thought it advisable to cross
connect the north and south city sup
plies inside the building through a six
inch line.
could have a statement from you
regarding the water pressure which I
can expect at this building? And
whether you think 1t advisable to install
emergency booster pumps and tank
to avoid any possibility Of q drop In
pressure?
"Your cooperation would be appre-
eiated."
Five days later, March 10, Mr.. Holton