The Washington times., 1932-09-06
FLOODS BLAMED
ON REALTY
PROJECT
Stripping Of Land Cited by
Engineer; Water and Silt
9 Feet High in Street

Stripping land several blocks
eastward from Fifth and In
graham Streets Northwest, in
development project by a
real estate operator four years
ago, was blamed by Director Of
Sanitary Engineering j. B.
Gordon today as the cause of
floods in that area during
heavy rainfalls. The stripping
removed trees, grass and
grading.
Director Gordon said several
of the engineers in his depart.
ment had been studying the con-
ditions for months in order to
affect cure, but he added that
no improvements will be made in
the section this year due TO the
rigid economy program adopted
by the District.
Street Slopes Cited
Although no cost estimates
have been advanced by the engi-
neers, Director Gordon said that
if one suggestion of a cure was
adopted it would cost $1,000, 900.
This suggestion was construction
of sewerage to Rock Creek,
which at several points would
have to be constructed so feet
below the street surface.
At present, he said, there is
a sewer nine feet in diameter
large enough to drive an auto
mobile through-at the Fifth and
1ngraham Streets corner. In ad-
dition there are II catch basins,
where normally there are four
at other corners.
In addition to the denuding Of
the land east of the corner,
Director Gordon said, adjoining
streets slope directly to the
corner of Fifth and Ingraham
Streets, so that the area catches
the full force of rain water flow.
141S Ill 1Our QlTeCClOnS.
Park Damage Heavy
The condition, Director Gordon
said, may be corrected with the
development of the denuded terri
tory and the construction of
small sewers which would follow
such development.
AS result of the flood last
night, which swept away manhole
covers and created geysers that
spouted Is feet upward, a gang
of Sewer Department laborers
worked all night in cleaning the
sewers.
More than 10 days will be re-
quired to repair damages done to
the local park system by the
weekend storms, it was estimated
today by Frank T. Gartside, chief
of the Parks Division.
Trees were destroyed, roads
washed out and numerous catch
basins filled with debris. The
most serious damage was in East
Potomac Park, where eight large
trees were uprooted, and in the
Rock Creek and Potomac Park
way.
A section of the roadway in
the vicinity of the Massachusetts,
Avenue underpasS was washed
out and is closed until repairs
can be made.
The downpour which occurred
last night flooded between 200
and 300 cellars, sent scores of
persons scurrying to safety on
high points, and marooned untold
numbers of motorists who were
forced to summon police and fire
apparatus to help them.
Parade Spectators Drop
The scorching sun took its toll
yesterday as more than 100000
people gathered to witness the
firemen's parade. A corps of ply
sicians treated 181 persons where
they fell, but so others who were
Frustrated were taken to hos
pitfalls.
Swim from Auto
Ira Priddy and his wife. Of the
500 block Peabody st. N. W., were
forced to swim through eight
feet Of water when their autonno-
bile became inundated in the
flood zone last night.
William Donnelly and W. 8.
Newton. of the $500 block of Fifth
st. N. W., rescued an elderly man
and his companions after swim
ming and wading to the stalled
automobile where they were i'm.
prisoned.