68 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



ERECTION OF FISHWAYS AT THE GREAT FALLS OF THE POTOMAC. 



By act of Congress approved February 1, 1888, an additioual appro- 

 priation of $25,000 was made for completing the construction of the 

 tislnvays at the Great Falls of the Totomac, there being already avail- 

 able for this purpose $5,042.32, the l)alauce of tlie previous appropria- 

 tion of $50,000 made by act api)rove(l July 12, 1882. In pursuance of 

 instructions from the Cliief of Engineers, V. S. Army, Col. J. :M. Wilson, 

 then in (;hargeof the AVashington Aqueduct, addressed me under date 

 of June 4, 1889, as follows: 



Office of the AYashixgtox Aqueduct, 



Washington, D. C, June 4, 1880. 

 Sir: I have the honor to inform you that I liavo this day received from the Chief 

 of Enginci'rs your letter of the 14th ultimo to the .Seeretary of War, with various 

 indorsements thereon, together with copies of the letter of the 31st ultimo to you 

 from the Acting Secretary of War. 

 The Chief of Engineers has directed me as follows : 



" Col. Wilson will place himself in communication with the Commissioner of 

 Fish and Fisheries with a view to having detailed plans and specifications pre- 

 pared, contracts drawn, and an inspector nominated. After approval by this office, 

 the work will be carried out under the direction of said inspector. Col. Wilson con- 

 fining his supervision to seeing that the dam is not injured and that the disburse- 

 ment of the money is properly made." 



In view of the foregoing order I have the honor to request that you will please 

 cause to be prepared and sent to me, at your conveuieuce, plans and specifications in 

 detail of the proposed fish ways, and that you will nominate as inspector such person 

 as you may deem fit to inspect this imi)ortant work. 



It has been the custom of this office to pay ordinary inspectors about $100per month, 

 but in view of the character of your work, which will probably require the services 

 of an expert, I think his salary should be higher, probably from $120 to $110 or $150 

 per month, depending upon his skill and capacity. 



The plans and sp(K'ifications should be complete, the latter entering into the 

 minutest detail, as they become a part of the contract, and any omission, however 

 trifling, may lead to complications with contractors. 



As soon as these plans and specifications reach me, I will prepare advertisements 

 inviting proposals, and after the work is awarded will, subject to the approval of 

 the Chief of Engineers, enter into contract for the work. 



As soon as the contractcn- is ready to begin, I will notify you, and your inspector 

 can then be appointed and assigned to duty. 



In all payments upon voucluns, I shall i-e(|uest your certificates as to quantity of 

 materials received, time employed, etc., and, based upon them, will make payments 

 as required by order of the Secretary of War. 



If agreeable to you, I will be glad to see you at this office any day between 11 

 a. m. and 12:30 ]>. m., to consult in reference to this matter; or, if you prefer it, I 

 will take pjeasuro in coming to your office any day you may mention after 4 p. ni. 

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



John M. Wilson, 

 Colonel, U. S. Army. 

 Hon. Marsiiaij, McDonald, 



Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries, Washington, D. C. 



