Evening Star Newspaper, November 25, 1882, Page 2

TN SPeey Ee) eT ren : SS Sa Shs ee) THE EVENING STAR: WASHINGTON, —SMSURDAY:. DISTRICT DRAINAGE, SEWER-| _ AGE AND WATER SUPPLY. ~ REPORT OF CAPTAIN HOXIE.| IMPORTANT FACTS, RECOMMENDATIONS | AND SUGGESTIONS. ASSESSMENTS FOR SPECIAL IMPROVEMENTS—THE WATER DEFICIENCY—HOW IT CAN BE MET TEMPORARILY—THE PROPOSED “INTERMITTENT SUPPLY”—CONCERNING “‘WATER WASTE,” 50 CALLED—WATER METERS UNRELIABLE AND UNDESIRABLE—THE SEWERAGE QUESTION— WHAT SHALL BE DONE WITH THE STREET | RAILROADS. Capt. R. L. Hoxie, United States engineer in Immediate charge of District drainage, sewer- age and water supply, has made his annual re- Portto District Engineer Commissioner Ly- ecker, as follows: Wasurxerox, D. C., November 15, 1882. Masor G. J. Lyprcxer, Corps of Enzineers, U.S. A., Engineer Commissioner of D. C. have the honor to submit herewith | @ report of operations during the year ending | June | Bwrninary Statement of Expenditures, together with | “Apuropriations wade Jor the Year ending June 3B, 1883, and Estinnate for Year ending June 30, 1 1% aondjzosaq | yectal improvements are | yess OF Coil e paid rather Slowly. The Congressional action, heretofore taken in permitting the revision and reduction of this tax and the abatement of interest, has not had the effect of stimulating payments gen- eruily, but rather thereverse. Delinquents still hoid out in the hope of further concessions. The acts of Congress of June 19, 1878, and “Fane 2, 1879, anthorized the revision and correc- tion of an erroneous or excessive tax. The “@twanie act, under which the original tax was Jevied, directs the assessment of a reasonable Proportion, not exceeding one-third of the total ion it has been found that this limit was rarely exceeded. The strictly “erroneous” tax was comparatively insignificant | {nm amount. The reduction rests mainly upon the interpretation of “reasonable proportion” Of the total cost. In order that the terms of the acts authorizing the reduction of the tax may apply to any case, it is neces: thas the origt- Pyeri ion, in this propor- Feaseat toe decals to ave sean the ‘tax Sexoessive.” - From this results mainly the re- code. of rules for revision was . embodying the views of the Commis- proportion of the cost «i these have been applied as r to be assessed, Wiiformly as possible. It is possible that the Tutes are not perfect. It is contended that they arenot. But under these rules the revision of | the special tax has been con} to the District of and detingu back trom five to £CIAL SPITS. It is still urged, very strenuously by interested Bares aud theie avents, that the tax rests une- Qtielly. and fhecefore un: iy. upon delinquents, &ad furthe xed. The argn- | i The amount ery instance, | far within the legal limit, and to this standard only can al elaimant lawfully appeal. The absolute tion of the tax is impossible. It has | nestly attempted in the code of rules adopted, onaBle limits. nued indefinitely there will be # © ne of drawbacks, first to one class, then to another, as either complains inv tet, atti_the result will be the Same as in the ianeus egny¥igstion case which 4 recorded by Hsop. it is to be rememtireed QAEMMs is not a gen- eral tax, the suoullyentang gvaich would relieve equally all tux paces pe District of Coiumbia, butspecnd tamatuerfrom a favored class for =peciabianeits reeeived) Ht is a debt due from this einss of people te the tax-payers of the District of Cotumpbia, and all that is left is Reeded to take up outstanding obligations of the District of Columbia, to which the debt is Pledged. Whatever hax been, or may be, for- ven of this debt, is a direct loss to the District Gees and an additional burden upon the tax- payers. The report of Mr. W. 0. Roome, transmitted herewith. gives in detail the status of this mat- ter, and the following is a condensed exhibit of | the condition of the special improvement fund Pledzed tothe rea on of the outstanding Special improvement oonds on October 11th, Uneollected tax, which will be ayail- able for such redemption, if coi lected in cash... anding drawback ce: must be r i for issue, which must be received in pay- ment of this tax, if pre- ready sented 140,718 85 | Bet set. less accumulated terest, the amount of which is not ascertained .. 8 per cent impravement bond: | accumulated interest outstanding. 620,200 00 in- «$531,366 10 | with Margin, less accumulated in*crest and then reversing the process. the intermittent supply. | known, but may be conjectured. | disappearance of water. on delingent ta +.s.. 888,838 90 | ‘The accrued interest approxiruates $ 385.000 00 The bunds now draw six p rc cent interest uly, the lien certificates r¢ presenting the de- tax draw ten-per cent. So, the only the further and great inconventence and distress are ex- rienced in the more elevated portions of ashington. It-is not a scarcity of water that afflicts the people of the District ot Columbia. There is an unlimited supply at the source from which it is taken, and the existing mains would -bring to the city twice the amount which {is now consumed. The increased quantity can onfy be brought in at a loss of elevation proportioned to this increase, and the low grounds gpadually get it all. Un- fortunately the growth of the city, within the last few years, has been largely upon. elevated ground. "In 1878, when the stand-pipe was erected for the Washington High Service, the pumps supplied: about 1,400 buildings, and it was moped. that Capitol Hill might receive a share of the benefit. The rapid increase in the consumption of water by buildings in the !mme- diate vicinity of the stand-pipe soon demon- strated the impracticability of delivering any to Capitol Hill. At this time 3,019 buildings are supplied from the high service, and it is impos- sible to keep up with the consumption. Not only are the pumps unequal to the increased demand, bat the supply fo the pumps from the low service is insufficient. Upon Capitol Hil and the high grounds not supplied by pumping the famine is not much worse. It has been attempted, by the regulation of the prineipai.stops in the mains, to cut off the flow frem the low grounds and “‘back it up” to high elevations. whenever this: was practicable. Complaints from any location bave been care- fully examined, the actual condition of affairs ascertained, atid the equalization process re- sorted to. About all that can be done in this way has been effected. TEMPORARY REMEDY FOR THE DEFICIENCY. In some cases of unusual scarcity a partial system of intermittent supply has been resorted to for the low service. This consist: imply, in turning the water off from one locality to con- ceptrate it upon another, fora limited time, It is robbing Peter to pay Paul, and then rebbing Paul to pay Peter. It is the last resource, and must finally be adopted as the only means of supplying water until the new works shall be completed. When systematically in operation it will be necessary for all consumers to supply th ives with tanks or receptacles of some kind for holding for tilling these when the sup- nd to subsist upon the con- tents while the supply is turned off. It will un- doubtedly be inconvenient, bat not more so than any organized system of intermittent supply. Such a system is in use in many localities where water is omized. It i Present condition of affairs. THE PROF D INTERMITTENT SUPPLY. In the hizh-service district of Washington a modification of this system has been in opera- tion since the pumps were first put up. The district supplied by the pumps is shut off from and-pipe at J o'clock a m., and the low-ser- vice s opened into it for temporary use. The tand-pipe is then filled by about tour hours’ dy pumping, and at 5 o'clock a.m. the low- service mains are again shut off and the water from the stand-pipe turned on. In this way the accumulation of four hours’ pumping is turned on at a time when the consumption is createst—from 5 to 10 am. The water is not allowed to flow freely from the tand pipe. The flow is controlled so as to ex- ud the time of emptying the tank until ten lock a. m., ortwelve o'clock m. After this the pumps stru: cient head of w water, to arrang ply is turned on, is pref zie vainly to maintain a suffi- er throughout the remainder effect of the pumps during that which is rvice without pumping 1. It is very much like pumping into t ir. Yet the pumps y the whole ay jy from the low-service twelve-inch i Supplies them: It will be necessary to resort exclusively to Consumers must pro- vide themselves with tanks or suitable recepta- cles to contain the water; the stand-pipe must be tilled several times each day and discharged under a full head into tue mains, sending the | water, in this way, to each consumer and divid- ing it equitably durinz the limited time of flow. HOW IT CAN BE MANAGED. For this, as in the case of the low service, it will be necessary to give public notice in order that each premises may be provided with the necessary means ef profiting by it. The times of turning on and‘of$iiittiag off the water can be uniform except in the case of fires occurring in a district having low pressure. In such cases all the pressure available must be turned on in that district, just as is done at present. When- ever a fire occurs, under the present arrange- ment, the pressure is concentrated as far as possible in its vicinity by opening or closing the Stops which control it. THE QUESTION OF WATER WASTE. It can hardly be said that water is wasted as long as enough will flow to meet the demand. There may be conditions under which water or air may be untairly distributed to consumers. Such is the case here. With the exception of a small contribution to the Washington high ser- vice by a six inch main across the P street bridge, over Rock creek, the entire supply of Washington crosses Rock creek in the two forty-eight inch mains which con- stitute the arch of the Aqueduct bridge. Just at the bridge is the Aqueduct office, in which a self-recording water-cauge stands, which is connected with these mains and regis- | ters, the pressure under which the water flows intothe city. The curve of pressure, so recorded, is almost a straight line throuchout the twenty- four hours, the pressure increasing only about two pounds during the night. So the quantity of water which flows into city at night is but little less than that which flows in during the day time. Where it zoes before reaching the Potomac through the sewers is not accurately It is probable that not less than ten million gallons of water flow in at a time when little or no consumption should be reasonably expected. The mains are not emptied during the day, and consequently ve not to be refilled during the night. The ‘Ss cannot be accounted for through the leaking of these mains, because the leaking, continuing both day and night, fs added to the consumption during the day, and if the consumption ceased at night the flow into the city wonld be only that due to the leakage, whereas the flow Is. actu- ally, nearly uniform day and night, Besides, a serious leak soon manifests itself. The stiff, re- tentive clay of Washington throws the water tothe surface, unless it finds an outlet through the sewers. In the latter case it is detected there, or the continuous flow washes away sur- rounding material and undermines the paye- ment, making a depression which indicates the locality of the leak. A teak occurring last sum- mer in one of the large mains justin frout of the aqueduct office, forced the wuter up from a depth ° twenty feet, penetrating ‘a bituminous street pavement, and discharging the water upon the surface of the street. THE TANK SYSTEM. A few tanks have been provided by property owners on the high grounds, to be filled at night, and the practice is common of asing bath tubs for this purpose. All of these would store up but a small amount of water. The pressure in the mains throughout the city varies from three to thirty pounds per square inch, rarely falling below six pounds. Under this head the ordinary three- quarter inch service pipe will dischurge, if flow- ing freely, in the basement or lower. floor, about ten thousand gallons in twenty-four hours, Three thonsand such services could, undoubt- edly, be made to discharge the whole twenty- tour hours supply of twenty-six million gallons. to 318 hydrants, and to all of the public buildings, ‘reservations, and fountains. It is easy to see that a continuous flow through a smali proportion of these will account for the w It Is probable that the waste is widely distributed. It is evident from the uniformity of the flow luto the city that the water is by letting itrun. Of course it rans to erp a levels, and leaves the summits high “WATER METERS UNRELIABLE. THE PROPOSED ROCK CREEK RESERVOIR. When the Rock Creek reservoir shall have been constructed, following naturaily the liberal supply now projected, it will probably be found tomac by combined tunnel and canal into the. expedient to divert a fair proportion of the Po- valley of Rock Creek, to find its way through the Rock Creek reservoir to the city. It will be cheaper and pleasanter than any hygienic enter- prise predicated upon parsimony of water. A detailed statement ot expenditures on ac- count of the existing water supply of the Dis- trict of Columbia 1s transmitted herewith, and the following extract from the dail: Ab: Weld of June 30, 1882, gives the condition at mal- the close of the fiscal year: Summary statement of the reoetpts, ex; tures, &c., of the water office, from duly 1, 1881, to June 30, 1882, FINANCIAL STATEMENT, Water main tax arrears. Water bonds outstanding. ‘EXPENDITURES. OMice............- os Washington and Georgetown hf vice, pipe distribution, repairs, material, new work, contingent expenses, &c.... Interest and Total .......sscceveccsecscceseeesi Cash balance on hand June 80, 1862... . ..€47, SUMMARY STATEMENT OF PIPE DISTRIBUTION. 36-inch diameter. 30-Inch diameter. een diametet + 42,502 64 sinkibg fund on water stock. 43,796 08. 6 and 4 Inch diameter. Fire plugs. 28 Hydrants. 818 Pumps. we al Water takers, 20,475 FUND NEEDED FOR LAYING NEW MAINS. With the present sehedule of rents for the use of water, the water fund is gradually.accumu- lating small reserve. The absence of a suf- ficient one now embarrasses the laying of new mains. Originally the cost of this was defrayed by the Issue and sale of water bonds. The tax upon property adjoining the line of the new main was collectible in five annual instalments, and, when collected, with interest, was more than sufficient, ordinarily, to meet the expense which had been incurred in laying the main, and, consequentty, to redeem the bonds. This tax is now collectiblein four annual instalments, with the option, as_heretotore, of paying all of the tax upon completion of the work, with a rebate. No bonds can be issued. All re- ceipts on account of the water fund are now expendible under the several heads of appropri- ation each year, but cannot be used for laying new ‘mains. The interest and the sinking fund on the outstanding water bonds require a reserve of about $44,610. | Prudence suggests a further reserve for emer- | encies which may occur at any time in asystem of water supply. With this margin secured there is as yet nothing lett for immediate. ex- penditure in the iaying of new mains. ‘Thefund has not yet accumulated such a reserve to take the place of the original provision tor the issue | of bonds. | _ It is suggested that as the expenditure 1s or- | dinarily a secured by the tax which is | leviee “upon adjoining property, Congress be sked to author the use of the general re- ots of the District ot Columbia for this pur- pose when necessary, the amount expended to be repaid from the proceeds of the tax. THE SEWERAGE SYSTEM. A limited appropriation for the maintenance and extension of the sewerage system has-been available during the last fiscal year. Ti‘has been necessary to continue the “permit system” for the extension of the sewers—a_ very unfair but unavoidable means of eking out a slender ap- propriation. It consists in exacting from appli- cants for such extension of the public wers the estimated cost of labor, to be paid in advance, the District of Columbia | purchasing the material from the appropriation | available, and defraying the cost of labor from | the tund so paid ip. The system works a hard— siup in this, that the benefit is shared by all parties on the new line of sewer, while the pay- ment is made by one-or more whoxe*déetra, for the improvement js equal to thp, sacrifice. Without this system the small amouat ‘appro- priated tor th)s purpose could not be expended with any just discrimination among the many applicants. If one-third of the cost were taxa- ble against adjoining property along the line, and the consent of the owners of a ma- jority of that property were made pre-requisite to the execution or the work, there would be no larger amount paid in, but it would be fairly divided. The check upon the extension of im- provements would probably operate beneficially in preventing the unreasonable extension to Temote localities of improvements. which by concentration can be made to benefit more people who are willing to pay for them. The old sewers of Georsetown ‘ere rapidly falling into a condition ef decay, which will necessitate thorough and expensive repairs. A large proportion of the fund for maintenance has been applied to such temporary repair as was absolutely necessary to prevent destruc- tion. Some of the older sewers of Washington are in similar condition, and in many localities a large expenditure will be required to perfect these old ers and adapt them to modern re- quirements. It is sugsested that as soon as the rotten wood pavement shall have been replaced and the necessity for this heavy drain upon the revenues shall cease, the annual appropriations for maintenance and repairs-of sewers should be greatly incre: a SEWER WORK IN PROGRESS. Work upon the Boundary intercepting storm sewer is progressing at three points under as many contractors. The progress is unquestion- ably slow. The first or outlet section, twenty- two feet in diameter, is completed. The sec- ond section, twenty feet in diameter, is! nearly completed, only fifty feet of in- vert and eighty-one teet of arch now remaining to be constructed. Ot’ the third section, twenty feet Im diameter, 1,300 lineal feet have been constructed. On the fourth section, twenty feet in diameter, a beginning has hardly been affected. only 100 feet of sewer being now completed. In all 5,030 lineal feet of this intercepting sewer have been completed. It is probable that the slow rate of progress is due tothe competition among bidders which puts the price of workata minimum, and the Inadeqnacy of small annual appropriations. The reduction of rates of pay by competition makes the contractor apprehensive of loss and engen ders a mistaken commemy. The amount of each annual appropriation will not justify the pur- chase of such an outfit as would be warranted by the immediate appropriation of the whole cost of the work, all to be expended under one contract. To meet the latter objection in the case of the fourth section, the work was adver- tised to include the expenditure of such appro- priation as might be made the ensuing year,and the contract so drawn. It has not proven effectual in accelerating the rate of progress. HOW TO PREVENT DELAYS. Under a provision common to all these con- tracts, certain contractors have been displaced from the work and other parties substituted, This, again, appears to have hud no effect what- ever in expediting the work. It is probable that In such cases of manifest inability to cope with difficulties of considerable Magnitude, a delinquent contractor should be replaced by hired labor organized under the direction of this office. This, with due regard to equitable claims on the part of the contractor, and with- out resort to vindicative damages against him. This course was adopted in repairing the Tiber creek sewer on North Capitol street, a work of equal magnitude with that of constructing an equal length of the Boundary sewer, and senting iter difficulties. ~The contractors were unable to make reasonable progress and declared their inability to do the work at their contract rates. It was taken in hand with hired labor and rapidly completed at less than the contract rates.” ti be Ber NOVEMBER 25, 1882—DOUBLE- SHEET: at The general system of sewerage in process of or bead fst i etiioteenluires bes eran lescril it previous re] e. reasons for its ade lon aven and the modifications of which {$ is ble suggested. Since then a Very e Teport of the results of an examin in TB80 of sewerage works ii Eurépé submitted by Rudolph Hering, civil and-san! ineer, to thé National Board of: Heatth, at their request as Deen bronght' to “my notice. Mr. Hering reviews very clearly and fairly the general subject of sewerage; giving the results of a thorough per- sonal exz ation, with many interesting sta- tistics L exh: “tive references to professional works upon th{s‘subject. His conclusions, con- forming" to thé: methods adopted here, are of interest as a recent expression ot competent professional opinion unbiased: by personal in- terest; and-applied to no locality. “The existing diversity of opinion the best method of removing offal and waste- water from houses and towns I believe, de explained, at least partially, by certain diffical- ties which meet us in rightly Judging the meas- ures, methods and designs. It i, therefore, be proper at the outset to ascertain their na- ture and examine their bearings. “In comparing the views of the gentlemen dl- rectly and indirectly interested in the sewage question, it can be observed that the habitual engagement of the mind in certain directions tends greatly to influence opinions, and to cause what may be termed a professional bias. “It can be observed in Europe, as a rule, that chemists, physicians, and agriculturists are prominent among the opponents of the water- carriage system. They point to the injurious effects of ‘soil contamination by sewers, of the gases and germs emanating from them, of the Pollution of river and subsoil water, and to va- Tlous dangers which are expected to arise from sewage farming.” * * * * . . “Again, we can notice that engineers, who find themselves confronted by problems such as the removal of gtorm-water from the surface of the streets, of sub soil water and house refuse, also the construction and cleaning of streets, the supply of water to dwellings, its subsequent removal and finally the restriction to the ut- most economy of expenditure, are qilite gene- rally in favor of water carriage. “But also among the latter alone, we discover a division of opinion. Municipal engineers of large cities with closely built up districts and well payed streets, who have been obliged and accustomed to provide for the rapid removal of rainwater and the protection of cellars, &c., have generally indorsed the so-called combined system of drainage for all towns; i.e, leading rainwater and sewage into the same sewers. “Among the engineers who have drained “small towns, where usually quite other conditions present themselves, the ‘separate’ system is often. favored, where sewage and rain-water are removed in different channels; but we find it likewise re- commended for all towns. Finally, even some of the details ot each system torm points of dis- pute. An Inspection of the different methods and works seemed to reveal the fact that advo- cates frequently lay too much stress on the ad- vantages, and opponents exaggerate the defects of systems,” * * . * * * “The physical features of a town will greatly influence the character of design, and, if not rizhtly understood, also give cause for erroneous jnions. The main drainage of London has frequently been attacked as being a wrongsolu- tion of the metropolitan drainage problem, yet the enormots population, the topography, the proximity to the ocean,the inexpediency and a thutouzh purification of the sew- ustified the authorities in adopting the present systen. “We have the sewerage of Memphis objected to on account of the exclusion of rain-water. Yet, wherconsidering that there was an urgent. necessity of speatlily and cheaply sewering the unfortunate town, feature is fully justified, especially when :considering the surface char acteristics: of ite? e. On the other hati, it would be «a like error to recommend thé excla- sion of rain-water, or the separate system for all cities. us aféw parties have advocated fn England and thig country,” * be us . * * “The sewerage question must be treated trom two aspects! As the works are to receive, convey and disctiarge organic waste products, the decomposition of which is, either directly or under ground from extensive di and when new sewers must be built far tant pa Pose, it will generally be cheaper. Its cost will also be favorable in densely inhabited districts trom the circumstance that the proportion of sewage to rain-water will be greater, and there- fore increase the sizes of the sewage pipes, yet without decreasing those of the rain- water sewers; while the sizes of the combed would not vary with the population, because the quantity of sewage is less than.the quan- tity within which the amount of storm-water can be estimated. x “But more important is the fact that in closely built up sections the surface washings from slight rains would carry an amount of de- com le matter into the rain-water sewers, which, when it lodges as the flow ceases, will cause a much greater storage of filth than in well designed combined sewers which have a continuous flow, and A pees also, appti- ances for flushing. In cities which bave every indication of rapid growth, these points become of impo rtance when deciding upon a system. “Th wrnrition case ES water by e ion m leading them into different channels originated, as already mentioned, from causes which were mainly financial, Where existing sewers could be made use of for rain water conveyance alone, very much smaller pipes were necessary for sewage; and when proper and complete purifi- cation of sewage was very expensive, it was ad- yantageous to prevent it from being occasion- ally increased even by a small quantity of rain washings from the surface. “The old sewers being incorporated into the new system with slight alterations and exten sions, naturally reduced the cost of the entire works very materially. It was then thought, “as the sewage was found to be effectually removed in the small pipes, and, on the other hand, many, if not most ot the large sewers showed accumulations of house filth, that the separate system had inhe- rent merits on sanitary grounds. “Among those who are advocating the princl- le, there is some disagreement as to the design ty which it will be best accomplished. Several systems are proposed, the distinguishing features of which are briefly described as follows: “The ordinary separate system as used in England consists of a pipe-line extending into each house, there to recelve the house drainage, generally with an admixture of some rain water from the yards and back building. The rest of the rain water, where it cannot flow off in sur- face channels, is carried off through separate sewers. These may be quite shallow, as thelr only object is to remove the water from the surface. “The details or the former are substantially like those of the combined system. The only differences are in their shape, which is cirenlar, on account of the regularity of flow, and their size. which 1s very much smaller. The details of the rain-water system are also substantially like those of the combined, ex- cepting their depth, and in most cases the absence of connections except from street inlets. In shape and size there is no material varia- tion.” * * * * * * * “Tt appears, therefore, that neither are the objections to separation serious nor the advan- taxes great, except in certain cases where puri- fication is difficult and the pollution of rivers feared. “Regarding now the comparative cost, the separate system is said by its advocates, especi- atty those elaiming patents, to be much cheaper. When rain water can as conveniently and safely be led off on the surface. there is no need for the combined system; and its cost, mainly due to storm-water removal, should not be com- pared with that of only a part of the separate system. The principle of separation, therefore, al- though often ostensibly preferred on sanitary grounds, does not necessarily give the system in. this respect any decided advantage over the combined, except under certain definite condi- tions. Under all others, preference will depend onthe cost both of construction and mainte- nafice, which only a careful estimate, based on the local requirements can determine.” * . “These points, among others, are brought out prominently by the advocates of the separate system in arguments to show its great superi- ority over the combined. A close examination, however, will show tnat the results obtainable are in some points only slightly better and in indirectly, the cause of unhealthful influences, it is necessary to exainine them, first of all, from sanitary point of view. When a satisfactory standard inthis direction can be reached, the next inquiry is Into the expense attached to eM ec a oer wore: into the least possible cost at which a san! condition . be obtained.” eats FP * * « * * * “To rightly understand certain present condi- tions, it will be well to glance briefly at the his- tory of the subject: “The first sewers in the more modern Euro- pean towns were obtained simply by arching over the natural water-ways, which had become fouled by general refuse continually cast into them. Their position along the valley lines re- quired a size sufficient for the conveyance of storm-waters. ‘After the introduction of a regular domestic water supply {nto cities, there was an Increased supply of dirty water running off in the gutters, causing filth and insalubrity both in winter am summer; and it was proposed to lead. this hous water, together with the street washings, rectly into the sewers.” * * * - . * “Tt was recognized that if water-carriage was to answer the general hygienic requirements radical changes were necessary in design and construction to prevent deposit and storage of filth. Investigations were, therefore, made with reference to’ grade, shape, &c., to facilitate a complete and rapid removal. and enough was learned to see a practical possibility ot attain- ing good sanitary conditions. Then, as it was found that most of the old existing sewers could not be made to answer the new demands, mainly on account of the shape and grade, it became a question of economy whether they should beeentirely replaced or used for a pur- pose less exacting. This circumstance gaye origin to the ‘separate system,’ when rain- water alone flowed into the old sew the house drainage being led away by a new system of very much smaller pipes. A small amount of rain-water was turned into the latter trom back roofs and yards in order to give them an occasional flushing. When, eyer, no old sewers could be systemati- cally utilized in this way, and the rain-water removal was an important consider- tion, we find that the ‘combined system’ was adopted, leading off rain-water and sewage by the same channels, as in the larger cities of Europe and here. . “Another phase of the question now appeared. The extension of sewers increased the amount. of filth discharged into the rivers, causing a pol- lution of perhaps the only available source of drinking water for other towns. This new trouble was mostly felt in England, where the population is dense and the rivers are small, and where it consequently has attracted the greatest attention. A sufficient purification of the sewage before discharging into the rivera became the only alternativ ie! * ’ * * * “The original expectations have been well sobered down, and the question resolved itself into the leavor to obtain a sufficient purifica- tion at the least cost to the community, instead 9f..expecting a large profit. Not ong, ,but several methods are found to give goed and economical results, and their respective avantages depend on local eon- ditions, which require careful consideration in each case.” - * * * * * . ‘After these remarks, applying to water-car- rige in general, it is now in place to examine into the ways by which it has been effected; and, here, too; we. are met by @ variety of opin- ions. 7 1 “COMBINED SYSTEM, “The characteristic feature of this method of sewerage ts that it serves the double purpose ot removing sowage’and rain-water by means of the same sewess. * Inttracing its origin it was found that the uddergtound removal of rain-waterin densely popnlated-cities was considered n even before a regular flow of sewage was by the introduction of a regular supply of water; and at the present day it-up and the pavements are districts are even larg better, which allows a more rapid concentration of rain-water in the thisunderground removal in “ during likely to be ordinary sewage, and ot well cleaned, that’ ft aco same ohannela.” : s s * s . . “The objections that have been made the combined system on pte di pty therefore, only substantiated when it is imper- feotly designed, built, maintained, or appiied— difficulties to which the separate system is also exposed, and perhaps others not necessarily so. A bias ishere un- doubtedly observable. The fact that there are direct personal interests concerned in several of the systems brings that out more promi- nently, and it 1s also observable thet those who advocate them exclusively are generally: not concerned in directing. Inanaging, nor are always thoroughly familiar with the engineering questions in a large and populous city. The advocates of the separate system usually ignore the practical possibility of making large sewers as perfect sewage car- Tiers as small ones, basing their opinions on per- tee works in this case and imperfect ones in the other. “An actual and extensive inspection cannot but reveal the fact that the above points give only slight advantages, if at all noticeable, over properly designed and constructed combined systems, and also that the latter can readily be kept as well cleaned as is necessary. “This can be particularly noticed in Frankfort, pembarg and the river sewers of London, Liy- erpool, other English cities, in which the air before and during flushing was not found to be very offensive—no more so than in Reading, Oxford, and other towns using the separate pes, Bits * * . . . CONCLUSION. “From the foregoing remarks, and mainly from the advantages and disadvantages claimed by the advocates and oppdnents of the various systems as they were stated to me, and to which I have given such relative importance and criti- cism’as my own inspection and examination of the works has warranted, several conclusions can’now-be drawn. “The sanitary demands upon a system of sew- erage, it is agreed, consist in the prevention of decomposition to the greatest possible extent, and where the latter is unavoidable, to decrease its injurious effects toa minimum.” . “It can be concluded, from- what has been sald, that these demands are fulfilled within satisfactory limits by each one of the mentioned ystems, provided they are designed and built nas perfect a manner as possible, according to the principles known to factlitate such removal and to prevent any evil effects which may arise from unpreventable imperfections. A supe- riority of one system over another in this respect will, then, not depend on its specific ee as much as on the conditions of the locality where it is applied and on the care given to its main- tenance. A misapplication on one hand and neglect on the other willhave a much greater influence on the sanit condition of each sin- gle system than the di nce between any two systems canhave under equally good condi- tions. “The factor, therefore, which will mainly govern a preference, is less the sanitary yaiue, as frequently asserted, than the cost of construction and matntenance. But.as also the cost depends on the locality, on its physical features, on social requirements, and on the yalue of ground and materials, it is evident that the criterion for tus dging the relative ad- vantazes of the different systems, both from a sanitary and financial point of view, is the locality itself. And as the conditions presented Sewage trom storm-water overflows would be- come objectionable, especially when the water is to be used for domestic purposes at no great distance below the town. Where pumping of the sewage is found too expensive to admit of the increased quantity from int sewers during rains, which cam occur in very low and fiat districts. Where it is to build a system of sewers ior house drainage with the least cost and delay, and the underground rain-water re- moval, if at all necessary, can be poned. Under such conditions the o1 inary separate can generally be applicable, yet certain Special features of the locality may determine in favor of Shone's system. For instance : Where pumping of the sewage to moderate elevations is advantageous or required at sev- Ee agp ol each other, ler the an Mnewe dep arent very ae Vhere deep excavation is ex] ive, elther from being under the level of subsoil, water or in rock, and where shallower sewers with better grades and intermediate lifts could be substituted, as in undulating grounds with rock near the surface when the sewage is to be carried across the ridges, or in low-lying and flat districts with excavations under water. . . . . . Good examples of the ordinary separate sys- tem are found at Oxford, Reading, Tottenham, and other small English towns. The best works on the Liemur plan are at Amsterdam. The Shone system has not yet been applied, except at Wrexham for trial purposes. In conclusion it may be said that as quite dif- erent conditions may occur in the same town, it is possible and practicable to adopt several sys- tems for it. It may be found expedient to ex- clude rain water from certain areas, whereas the combined system would be advisable In others.” WHAT SHOULD BE DONE WITH THE STEAM RAIL- Roaps. In my last annual report were considered two questions seriously affecting the commercial and sanitary interests of the District of Columbi: the reclamation of the Potomac flats, with the incidental prolongation of the main sewers of Washington to deep water of the Potomac; and the placing underground of the various steam railroad tracks now upon the surface of the streets. Thereclamation of the flats having been under- taken, pursuant to the appropriation of $400,000 for this purpose, under the direction of ‘the Engineer Department of the Army, this impor- tant feature of the sewerage of Washington Is now provided for. The steam railroad tracks still continue to inconvenience the people of Washington and to obstruct the growth and im- provement of the city. It was estimated that $2,365.824.09 would be required to carry out the plan proposed for putting these roads under- ground and on viaducts out of the way of the city traffic. It isto be hoped that in whatever way this object shall be attained no temporiz- ing scheme may be permitted to intervene and postpone its accomplishment. Isubmit herewith tables showing the con- tracts for supplies for the District of Columbi and the details of work done under contract ant by hired labor in connection with drainage and sewerage and water supply. Very respectfully, R Hoxie, L. Captain of Engineers, U.S. A. ——______~9- ___—"__ LETTER FROM NEW YORK. Life in the Great Metropolis—Lions at Large— A New Evangelist—The Theaters and Thea- ter People. Special Correspondence of Tax EvENINe STaR. New Yonk, Nov. 24. There is a whirl of preparation for Gilbert & Sullivan’s new opera, which will be produced at the Standard Theater to-morrow night with a gorgeous stage setting and an admirable cast. The famons authors of ‘‘Pinafore,” “Penzance” and ‘Patience” have at last discarded the initial P in writing the names of their operas,and have named their latest production “ Iolanthe.” Money has been lavishly used, and rehearsals pushed vigorously. Nobody has heard the opera yet, and it will be a genuine novelty. 1 hear that the music is not quite up to the standard of “‘Patience,” and that the solos are particu- larly weak. It is said that if the opera goes, musically speaking, it will be on the strength of the first three choruses. They are said to be |,very beautifully harmonized and excellently sung.’ The tragoen chorus in “Patience” is the prolclcus crtieeras built upon. The heroine is the weakest of all the parts in the o| asis usually the case with Gilbert & Sullivan. How- ever, these are only rumors light as air, and may prove entirely unfounded. About thesame sort of thing prevailed before the production of “Patience,” which turned out to be very differ- ent from the opera expected. Gilbert & Sulli- van are very wealthy men now, and make their own terms with managers. Their terms are pretty steepat the Standard—one-quarter of the entire gross receipts. TITLED TRAVELERS. Noble foreigners have never been more nu- merous in the city than now, and the list of titled visitors is long enough to satisfy the cravings of the most ambitious of match-mak- ing mammas. It ts noticed, however,—not without chagrin—that these aristocratic visitors don’t care a rap for the “‘sassiety” of the me- tropolis, but go in altogether for the tun, leay- ing social duties to men whose position in so- ciety are not assured by birth. Thisis provoking but inevitable. The society of European capi- tals is of course more brilliant than the society of New York, and it is not to be wondered at that titled strangers do not seek eagerly for social honors in America. The arrivals of noble- men no longer cause remark. in Thursday's papers insignificant jottings in small type re- corded the arrival of the Duke of Newcastle and Earl of Lincoln, a young man only 18 years ot age, and the Earl of Aylesford and Baron of Guernsey, also of youthful age. These two noblemen are traveling independently, and both oddly enough on the same errand—the pureuit ot health. Time was—and not very long ago— when the arrival of two seep! casbeetan! the titles ot Duke and 1 Earl and Baron, would heve created a flurry of excitement in New York. Now it passesalmost unnoticed. By-the-bye, his grace of Newcastle is not much of an object of envy, in spite of his honors, for the rman is in a very bad way physically” He e Duke in "79, when he was only 15 years old. I had rather be a robust American. CURING BY FAITH. A new form of religious faith and practice has sprung up in this city which is attracting sa great deal of attention. The Rev. Albert B. Simpson and his congregation believe that the power of God for healing may be used now as it was in the early days of the church, and act on that belief. I went to see the preacher of this new creed at his roomsin the Grand Opera House building, which adjoins a large hall used asachureh. The same rooms were once used by Jay Gould and Jim Fisk. He was with two women, seeking to be cured of their But you must pemewber that I have power, God js the power; 1 am only en instra- ment pronounced her incurab! pa trees She called upon God to was 4 heal her and she ts in perfect health to-day. menus ote seat apt heart ahanean, eurnat ism, 5 rena cefnees, bad ‘eyesight ‘and infirmities description. cases of consumption cured.” “Can it not be that these — have imagined themselves benefitted when they were not?” “Physicians have had to acknowledge the chan, There are @ number of cases of a structural nature which cannot be classed as Nervous cases where the cure has been com- ete. us “Are these cures all instantaneous?” “Not all. The healing power does not come of unt! the applicant ts in the proper spirtt of humility, and is able to offer the prayer of faith. There ts no Msaltation. I take every to God that comes to me. No record of théne cases has been kept, but there are hundreds 6f them, and scores of witnesses testily at every meeting that ts held.” “Why do you anoint the forehead with ofl?” “Because the Scriptures speak ot the annoint- ing with oil, which is reason enough. I regard it as the completion of the act of faith for a per- son to submit to this ordinance. The of! may be compared to the Holy Ghost, which seems to enter into the body and give it renewed vitality.” Mr. Simpson carries this theory to the ex- treme of not having a physician in his fmily; and he recites several instances in which his children were healed by supernatural agencies, There ts no doubt that he is sincere and beli everything he says to be true. The witne also appear to believe what they testify to. For these reasons, these faith cures are a great mystery; but the scientist merely lauhs, and ses it all, from first to last, as nervous phenomena kindred to that found in spiritual delusions. AN AMERICAN ACTRESS ABROAD. Fanny Davenport is much more promtnent when away from New York than when here, apparently. She found it dificult to get Into the papers while at home, though she lost her diamonds with methodical persistency, was robbed trequently, and patronized poor artists nobly. But in London she excites Increasing comment, and has turned newspaper men quite topsy-turvy. They seem to be impressed by Miss Davenport's avoirdupois, and flutter be- tween analyses of quality and quantity. Her diamonds created a great stir and were written up extensively, but her figare in Carniile bas roved just as big a dese for the Londoners as kt did for New Yorkers. It is at once a beautital and amazing thing to see Miss Davenport fade away and shrink when she dies of consumption in Camulle. I mean to see her try to fade away and shrink. It was rathera cruel thing to say, but the critic commanded a large following who remarked that ‘in some instanres It would be permissable to alter a play, and we are sure Dumas would be willing to have Miss Daven- ort’s Camille die of dropsy after he had viewed er attempt to fade away as a consumptive.” 1 t from London that she has just paid £7,500 of the purchase money for the Eng= lish version of Sardou’s new play. She will pay $15,000 in all, and expects to make it the hit of her life. The great French dramatist has of late been giving some attention to the translations of his plays now on the English speaking stage, and has gradually worked himself into a Galle rage quite horrible to contemplate. Therefore has he stipulated that Miss Davenport's version must be submitted to him betore it is produced, and only played after he haspronounced it good. Such a course bas its drawbacks, because the French can never understand that the elements which make a play a success in Paris will in nine cases out of ten damn it in England or America. However, there is no satisfaction In being @ great dramatist if one cannot also be dogmatic and autocratic. At ieast, so thinks Mr. Sardou. DRESSING FOR THE STAGE. “Who makes Edwin Booth's costumes?” 1 asked a well-known costumer yesterday. He shrugged his shoulders. “‘Is it a secret?” said I. “No; he bas not bad any made tor a long time.” " “Why?” “He does not think it necessary to have fine stage clothes; he is attractive enough himself.” «Who makes what he does use?” “His dresser—a man who travels with him everywhere and helps him to make up for the He pases ioane hii that's “He te particular about his rags—t what we call “em in the trade—and ts better dressed for his parts than any tragedian on the American stage.” ‘ seers is a terror to costumers, isn't e , “He would be if We had htm to dress—he ts such a dandy. Aman whom we call Miss Flan- nery has made his costumes for years, and at tends him in the green-room. Wallack is just as finical about his hair and moustachios as he is about his trousers, so that, altogether, Miss Flannery has as much as one man can do with- out going mad.” “Are not some of the younger actors extray- agant?” “Yes, Frederick Spalding spent a small for- tune on his wardrobe. His Claude Melnotie costume cost two or three hundred doliars. He had great confidence in his genius, and hit mother had money; but the youth soon foun out that.fing toggery does not make a fine actor.” — “What actress has the finest wardrobe?” “The most elaborate costumes I have ever seen are those made for Margaret Mather, who was recently brought out at Chicago. Her Juliet dress was made for a Spanish princess, who was to have been married, but her lover died before the wedding day. She went intos convent, and the dress was sold and found ite way to America. It was literally covered with and the other of | pearls. “Did she know how to wear her magnificent petticoats?” “No; she has some dramatic talent, but no knowledge of manners whatever. She does not know how to give you her hand properly.” “Has Mary Anderson good taste?” “Well, she dresses much better now than she did before her visit to Paris, where she was the guest, you know, of Sara Bernhardt. Sara, without doubt, gave her a few points. Before that her costumes were knocked together in the family. Her step-father carried out hisextreme ideas in economy by buying up remnants when he could find a bargain. The result was bad of state of excitement. “The very worst people to trust in the world,” he said, with a sweeping gesture. “You would be astonished to see our black list; it contains names which you would never dream of. Some by the various cities and places are exceedingly different, not one particular system will be the best for all localities, but different external ills, and several others were waiting to see him. Mr. Sim is tall, slender and stoop-should- ered. He hasa frail constitution and is of a L x 3 4 conditions will demand as readily different solu- nervous tem ent. His face is one not tions, both in general and detail. easily forgotten. He hasa large, prominent ‘ks, which “This is, in my opinion, the direction in which an ultimate agreement to the various contro- yersies, as mentioned at the outset, may be found. Andas most of the objectionable fea- forehead, deep-set eyes and palid chee! tures which have caused adverse criticism were woman. suit of black. cations are usually well defined when a war in due to faulty constgyction or neglect: of mainte- nance, rather than’to an essential error in the system, attention to these two subjects in at present of most importance, and will also con- tribute toward a greater unanimity of opinion. “It now remains to recapitulate the princi local conditions under which each of the water- carr! to be best applical judge from a “I can tell my story ina very few sald, modestly. "A year or more gar my position as the pastor of a fi ing Pres- because I It would if T would permit tt; but T ‘be in God's banda.” this matter impends. First,a few desultory ‘and erratic letters appear in the papers calling the attention of the public to the growing evil of tight lacing, and praying to all the powers that be that the dreadful scourge of the human form divine may be averted. The next “em yeast i i : i Regt E if i pis vill i : 4 i i é i A ii ; iil Hl #