The Washington times., 1934-01-01
SEWER SYSTEM
SUPPLIES JOBS
FOR MANY.
Tax Reform, Street Paving
and Debt Retirement
Mark Passing Year
BY ROY S. BRADEN

Dy NOG De D4SHADNAN
County Manager, Arlington County
(Written especially for The Washington
Times)
Arlington county made rapid
strides during 1888 in its program
of development. despite unsettled
conditions and a changing Of
policies throughout the entire
country.
There is no question but what
the greatest step, and one that
viii mean more to the future OF
the county, is the adoption Of the
comprehensive sewerage system
program which provides for the
construction Of trunk lines in
every section of the county and
two treatment plants that will dis.
pose of the effluent in a Satis-
factory manner.
In addition to the above, a re-
volving fund was set up for the
construction of lateral lines that
will act TO serve property on every
street in the county. The program
has already been approved by the
State advisory board, the Public
Works Administration in Washing
ton, and finally authorized by the
electorate of Arlington county by
an overwhelming majority. Field
surveys are almost completed on
the trunk line system, and plans
for one of the treatment plants
will be available within a very few
days and contracts can be awarded
for construction in the very near
future.
No Tax Burden
According to the program
worked out by the county board,
this system will not be burden
to the taxpayers, especially as the
Federal Government makes an
actual grant in the amount Of 30
per cent of labor and material.
The biggest program in Arlington
county during the coming year in
the way of construction and en-
ployment will undoubtedly result
from what has been done during
the year 1888.
During the past year 8 settle
ment was also effected with the
bonding company 10 cover short
ages in the accounts in the treas
urer's office and this settlement
meant $350,000. BY reason Of
this the county was able to re-
store it's debt retirement fund IN
the water department, to pay off
floating indebtedness and to pro-
vide a working fund for the re-
mainder of the year.
p. U. C. Appointed
A public utilities commission
was appointed and this commits
sion has been very active in try
ing to bring about a different
classification of rates for the va
rious utilities. Already a deci-
sion has been given by the State
corporation commission ordering
a reduction in the gas rates from
$1.50 to $l.20 per 1000 feet. This
decision has been appealed by
the gas company and is await
ing a decision from the court.
IF the court suStains the decision
of the State CORPORATION commits
sion, it will mean a great saving
to the people throughout the
county.
The water supply system has
been extended by the conStruc-
ton Of large water mains to as
sure the county of thorough pro-
lection and will mean that the
main feeder lines within the
county are capable of supplying
any growth we may have during
the next few years. Reductions
in rates of water consumption
were made effective January /,
1888, and this meant almost 20
per cent which the consumers
benefited by.
A program Of street rebuilding
and resurfacing on those streets
where sewers already exist that
are deemed adequate for present
needs was put through. Some
very high class secondary streets
were constructed during 1888 but
only on those streets wherein
sewers existed.