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 additional appro- 
priation of $25,000 was made for completing the construction of the 
fishways at the Great Falls of the Potomac, there being already avail- 
able for this purpose $5,042.32, the balance of the previous appropria- 
tion of $50,000 made by act approved July 12, 1882. In pursuance of 
instructions from the Chief of Engineers, U.S. Army, Col. J. M. Wilson, 
then in charge of the Washington Aqueduct, addressed me under date 
of June 4, 1889, as follows: 
OFFICE OF THE WASHINGTON AQUEDUCT, 
Washington, D. C., June 4, 1889. 
Sir: I have the honor to inform yon that I have this day received from the Chief 
of Engineers your letter of the 14th ultimo to the Secretary 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 convenience, plans and specifications in 
detail of the proposed fishways, and that you will nominate as inspector such person 
as you may deem fit to inspect this important work. 
It has been the custom of this office to pay ordinary inspectors about $100 per 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 $140 or $150 
per month, depending upon his skill and capacity. 
The plans and specifications 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 contractor is ready to begin, I will notify you, and your inspector 
can then be appointed and assigned to duty. 
In all payments upon vouchers, I shall request 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 p. in., to consult in reference to this matter; or, if you prefer it, I 
will take pleasure in coming to your office any day you may mention after 4 p. m. 
Iam, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, : 
JOHN M. WILSON, 
Colonel, U. S. Army. 
Hon. MARSHALL McDONALD, 
Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries, Washington, D. C. 
