Thirteenth. For laying asphalt walks in various reservations, $5,000. It is proposed to replace with first-class asphalt walks the gravel paths in Washington Circle, Mount Vernon Square, Executive Mansion grounds (south side), Lincoln Square, Stanton Square, Folger Square, Marion Square, Henry and Seaton parks, and to renew those in Farragut Square. In the late fall, winter, and early spring these walks are muddy and pedestrians seek the lawns, which are thus destroyed by trespassers. The amount of these paths which it is proposed to lay this year is about 3,500 square yards. Each autumn it becomes necessary to put down plank walks, which must again be removed in the spring. If asphalt walks are laid the annual expense incident to plank walks will be avoided.

Fourteenth. For improvement, care, and maintenance of Henry (Armory) and Seaton Parks, $5,000. These reservations, extending from Seventh street to the Botanic Gardens, cover an area of 34 acres, with road and walk surfaces of over 10,000 square yards. They are in an advanced state of improvement. Their beauty has been marred by the depot and tracks of the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad. A mound has been constructed around the depot upon which it is intended to plant trees and shrubs, so that in time the depot will be hidden partially from view. The materials for this mound have thus far been obtained free of expense to the United States, and it is now proposed to grade the mound and to seed and plant it. The funds requested are needed for this purpose and for the care of roads, lawns, gutters, etc., and laying out additional paths.

Fifteenth. For constructing an ornamental fountain in Lafayette Square, upon the site originally selected for the Lafayette statue, $4,000. This space is on the Pennsylvania avenue side of the square, directly opposite the Executive Mansion. The old foundation made for the pedestal of the statute can not be removed without considerable expense, but can be utilized for the foundation of a basin for an ornamental fountain, for the erection of which this estimate is submitted.

Sixteenth. For replacing the old flagging pavement of the sidewalks in the grounds north of the Executive Mansion by a granolithic pavement, $2,500. These sidewalks lead from the entrance gates on Pennsylvania avenue to the north front of the Executive Mansion. The old flagging at present composing them is in bad condition and should be replaced by a granolithic pavement.

Seventeenth. An estimate amounting to $6,000 is also submitted for constructing a large greenhouse at the propagating gardens for palms and subtropical plants. The greenhouse structures now existing at the gardens are of small size and not of sufficient capacity to accommodate that class of plants. "

Eighteenth.-An estimate amounting to $5,000 is submitted for improving Reservation No. 246, known as Howard University Park. This park contains an area of about 114 acres and is unimproved.

Nineteenth. An estimate amounting to $15,000 is submitted for laying an asphalt pavement upon the roadway east and south of the State, War, and Navy Departments building. The present gravel roadway is objectionable both in wet and dry weather.

Twentieth.-The sum of $1,500 is requested for renewing the superstructure of one of the greenhouses connected with the Executive Mansion. The present structure is weak and should be rebuilt at the earliest opportunity.

Twenty first.-An estimate of $2,000 for repairing the conservatory of the Executive Mansion is submitted. The structure is old and in

bad condition and requires extensive patching to preserve the plants which it contains.

Twenty-second.-The estimate for the item for "gas, pay of lamplighters, etc.," under the title "Lighting the Executive Mansion and the public grounds," has been increased from $14,000 to $15,000. In the appropriation act for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1892, the amount to be paid per annum for lighting, etc., each gas lamp in the public grounds was increased from $20 to $21.50. To provide for this increase, for the additional amount that it is estimated will be required for the care and maintenance of the electric lamps and wires recently introduced into the Executive Mansion, and for the purchase of new gas lanterns to replace old lanterns in the public grounds as they become unserviceable, the additional $1,000 is asked.

Twenty-third.-An estimate of $2,000 is submitted for erecting eight iron posts in the Monument grounds, connecting them with underground wires for electric lights, and supplying electric lights for the same. Since the introduction of electric lights in the grounds south of the Executive Mansion the travel after nightfall through that park has increased. Much of this travel passes through the Monument Grounds, which are not now provided with any system of illumination. Twenty-fourth.-The estimate for repairs to water pipes and fire plugs has been increased from $2,500 to $5,000. The sources of the spring which supplies the United States Capitol with water were much impaired by the excavations made in connection with the construction of the large reservoir near the Howard University for the increase of the city's supply of Potomac water, which has resulted in diminishing the pressure at the Capitol. It is proposed to use the additional amount requested in making connection with the strongest springs in the vicin ity and in overhauling and repairing the old pipe line and renewing such portions of it as may be found unserviceable.

Twenty-fifth.-An estimate is again submitted for replacing the overhead wires between the Capitol and the departments with a duplicate underground six-wire cable. The growth of the trees on the sidewalks renders it absolutely necessary, in order to maintain telegraphic communication over these wires, either to erect at once taller poles at a cost of about $1,600 or to lay an underground cable at a cost of $31,000. It appears to be the will of Congress that no more overhead wires shall be placed in this city (see District of Columbia appropriation act of July 18, 1888); otherwise I should recommend the appropriation of the smaller amount.

Twenty-sixth.-I recommend that the salaries of the two steam engineers at the Washington Monument be increased from $80 and $60 to $90 and $70 per month, respectively. The duties of these two men are of great importance. Upon their efficiency and intelligence depend, to a great extent, the lives of those who use the elevator. The increase asked is small and the men deserve it. I also recommend that the pay of the two firemen be placed at $60 per month each. That is the rate allowed firemen in the Executive Departments, and there appears to be no reason why the firemen at the monument should receive less.

The item for fuel, lights, oil, waste, repairs, etc., should be increased from $3,000 to $3,600 for the purpose of painting the ironwork in the interior of the monument.

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

O. H. ERNST,

Colonel, U. S. A., Major, Corps of Engineers.

Brig. Gen. THOMAS L. CASEY,

Chief of Engineers, U. S. A.

APPENDIX C C c.

ISSUE OF PUBLISHED CHARTS OF THE NORTHERN AND NORTHWESTERN LAKES, AND SURVEYS MADE FOR THE PURPOSE OF KEEPING THESE CHARTS UP TO DATE.

REPORT OF COLONEL 0. M. POE, CORPS OF ENGINEERS, BVT. BRIG. GEN., U. S. A., FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1892.

UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE,

Detroit, Mich., July 16, 1892.

SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith, in duplicate, my annual report on the "issue of the published charts of the Northern and Northwestern Lakes and surveys, made for the purpose of keeping these charts up to date," for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1892. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

O. M. POE,

Colonel, Corps of Engineers, Bvt. Brig. Gen., U. S. A.

Brig. Gen. THOMAS L. CASEY,

Chief of Engineers, U. S. A.

ССС 1.

ISSUE OF THE PUBLISHED CHARTS OF THE NORTHERN AND NORTHWESTERN LAKES AND SURVEYS, MADE FOR THE PURPOSE OF KEEPING THESE CHARTS UP TO DATE.

The sundry civil act of March 3, 1891, appropriated the following amounts for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1892:

Survey of Northern and Northwestern Lakes.-For printing and issuing charts for use of navigators and electrotyping plates for chart printing, two thousand dollars. For surveys, additions to, and correcting engraved plates, ten thousand dollars. Under the first item the issuing of charts has been done in Detroit, Mich., from this office; the rest of the work required being attended to by the office of the Chief of Engineers in Washington. During the fiscal year nearly all charts have been sold at the uniform price of 20 cents each. A few special lithographic charts have been sold for 10 cents each, and some charts have been issued free of charge for the official use of Government agents applying for them.

The following table shows the extent of this business:

Issue of the charts of the Northern and Northwestern Lakes during the fiscal year ending

June 30, 1892.

The sum of $1,024.50 was turned into the Treasury from sales of charts.

Total number of charts distributed to July 1, 1891
Distributed during fiscal year.

181, 186 5,801

Total distributed to July 1, 1892

186, 987

Complaints are often made of the quality of the paper on which the charts are printed. This paper is too easily torn and is not suited to the rough handling frequently necessary when the charts are used on shipboard. A better quality of paper could be furnished if more funds were available, and, in view of the great use made of these charts by the lake marine, an estimate of $3,000 is made for this item for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1894, in order that those who buy the charts from the Government may have this cause of complaint removed.

Under the second item of the above appropriation a number of charts have had corrections and additions made upon them in this office, and have been forwarded to Washington in order that the necessary changes might be made upon the engraved plates.

The following charts have thus been amended in this office:

The information embodied in the above charts was derived from the best available sources of information. Much assistance was obtained from the engineer office of the ninth and eleventh light-house districts and from engineer offices for the improvement of rivers and harbors. In some cases certain special examinations of the localities had to be made, and these were done in connection with works of river and harbor improvement in progress at the time. This work has been seriously impeded by lack of sufficient funds. The work is essential, however, if the charts are to be used for navigating the lakes.

Instructions from the Chief of Engineers require that if information of any obstructions to navigation not exhibited on the charts should be received, the same shall be communicated to the office of the Chief of Engineers, with an estimate of the cost of a survey. Among other ob