Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-10
BY JAMES E. CHINN.

BY JAMES E. CHINN.
The first definite step to improve
the sanitary condition Of the valley of
Piney Branch between Sixteenth street
and Rock Greek has been taken by
District officials, it was disclosed before
the House Subcommittee on Appripria-
tionS, which is conducting hearings on
the District appropriation bill for the
1882 fiscal year.
j. B. Gordon, sanitary engineer of
the District, told the committee that
his request for appropriations totaling
81 ,511 900 included an item of $685. 600
to begin construction of the proposed
Piney Branch trunk seWer-a project
designed primarily to improve the Sani-
tary condition of the Piney Branch
Valley. The project, he explained, is
approved by the National Capital Park
and Planning Commission, and the in
clusion of the item for starting con-
struction was the direct result of an
intensive study of the Piney Branch
sanitary problem, which followed re-
peated complaints from the Mount
Pleasant Citizens Association.
Will Cost $500, 900.
The sewer will involve a total esti-
mated cost of 100000. 1t will elm
mate all house sewage from the open
valley of Piney Branch, thereby re-
moving pollution from Piney Branch
Parkway While not improving the
sanitary condition of Rock Creek, it
would, with the single exception of the
Luzon Valley sewer, remove all storm
water overflow from the stream within
the boundaries of Rock Creek Valley.
The extension of the Piney Branch
70 A0lI
Gordon, will be so designed as ulti-
mately to form an integral part of
the proposed comprehensive program
for relieving Rock Creek of all pollu-
ton within the District. The sanitary
engineer, however, pointed out that
while the $4,000 expended for the
trunk sewer is within the bounds of
good economy, the large sum required
for the entire removal Of sewage from
Rock Creek. which he estimates at be-
tween $5,750,000 to $6,775,000, is not
considered justifable at this time, as
the benefits to be obtained are not
believed to be proportional to the neces-
sarv expenditure. Mr.. Gordon also de-
clared that District authorities have no
control over the upper reaches of Rock
Greek. which constitutes about 30 per
cent OF it's entire watershed.
Fund For InLercepLOr.
The S125,00O request for the trunk
sewer is the largest individual item In
the sanitary engineers program for the
coming fiscal year. Another major
item, however, calls for an appropria-
ton of $50, 900 for continuing construc-
ton of the Upper Potomac interceptor,
which TANKS the river upstream from
Rock Creek It's function is to intercept
oil F3Tn I'M I'M
from the area west of Rock Creek, as
well as to permit the diversion of Mary
land sewage now discharging into the
river north of the District line
The interceptor is now more than so
per cent completed. The appropriation
requested for 1882, Mr.. Gordon said,
Will carry it along Canal road from
Sherrier place to Weaver place.
Aside from the two major projects,
Mr.. Gordons program includes more
than 10 smaller installations, such as
extensions, sanitary sewers, Stormwater
sewers, combined system sewers, sub
urban sewers, and the reconstruction of
old and defective sewers.
The public school items, totaling
$13, IFS, $50, will be considered by the
committee early next week. While the
total appropriation sought is $713,1 lao
less than appropriated for the current
fiscal year, it will permit the construc-
ton of four new buildings. the COM
pletion of three others and the cree
ton of additions to seven more.
Will Eliminate IL PortabIes.
In other words, these additional
school house accommodations are de-
signed to eliminate II portableS, 26
part-time classes and 81 oversize
classes. Thus, upon the basis of the
number of portables, part time and
oversize classes as of November l last,
there would remain upon final COM
pletion of all building projects to be
initiated or completed by the 1881 ap-
act and the appropriations
recommended for 1882 only eight port
ables, IL part-time classes and 129
oversize classes.
In all, the 1882 bill carries $4,000, 900
in new construction and school site
items, an amount that is $948, 200 be-
low the appropriation for the same pur-
pose this year. OF the total sought,
So, 100000 is for buildings and $780,
600 for grounds.
The largest single item in the new
construction program is 100000 for
continuing work on the new Roosevelt
High School which is to replace Busi-
ness High School. Next is 100000 for
School, for colored pupils, in northeast
A start on the proposed
junior high schools at Eighteenth and
Otis streets northeast, in the Wood
section, is provided for
by an item of 100000.
Another 100000 is included for be-
ginning construction of new building
to house the present Jefferson Junior
High School, in Southwest Washington
Other building items are, 100000 for
completion of the first unit of the
Young platoon schools, for colored
pupils in Northeast Washington; $140,-
900 for erection of an eight-room build
ing in the vicinity of Connecticut ave-
nue. and Upton street; $145,000 for the
erection of an eight-room building in
the vicinity of Burleith; $165,000 for
an eight-room addition to the Doug
lass Simmons School, including a COM
bination gymnasium and assembly hall;
$165, 900 for an eight-room addition to
the Harrison School, including COM
bination gymnasium and assembly hall;
100000 for six-room addition to the
Orr School; 100000 for a second-story
of four rooms at the Key
School; 100000 for completing con-
struction of the Mcfarland Junior |
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