Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-09-03

for each thinks his waste Of the water is
and therefore win the habit 1t would have
been easy matter 10 have checked the evil at the be-
ginning, by starting in proper manner, but il will be
very difficult to appy an efficient remedy now.
Philadelphia has supply Of probably only one
third onefourh Of that of New York. yet as general
rule, hear very te if any complaints on the subject
in that city and yet every body seems to use it freely for
all legitimate purposes Sometimes in the heat Of sum-
mer, when every body is constantly bathing or every
respectable house has bathing establishment and when
nearly all the streets being constantly watered or on
Saturdays when according to custom which has exist
ed in that city for time far back that the memory
of man runneth not to the contrary, all the soops An
gice stops and the ootways washed and drenched
with water, you can hear occasional remark that the
supply is deficient, at least not great as usual
The Philadephians though stinted in the use Of
the Schuykl water and always having quite as much as
necessary, have always consumed it only in rea-
sonabe manner but they to follow the example of
their New York neighbours there would be general
outcry, and oil would be sufferers.
Comparatively but small portion Of the people Of this
city to be of the great which was com
mitted in the plan for supplying the city with water;
for it has not been matter Of public newspaper dis
cussion, though many intelligent citizens with whom
have conversed the subject fully convinced Of it,
aude to the plan Of bringing the water to the city
from the Croton river in aqueduct instead Of iron
pipes The former it is very obvious must necessarily
be doubly treby expensive and is neither safe
nor certain, viii it furnish as large supply.
An aqueduct must of course be constructed on regu
lcry descending inclined plane requiring the valleys
to be filed up and the hills to be through and ncces
sary losing portion of head or elevation
Of the water at the of supply The water through
an aqueduct flow only alta sluggish rate Of and
half and three-quarter miles per hour nor can
1t be allowed to FL the whole dimensions of the
aqueduct for SO it pressed against the crown
Gifts arch it would burst the work asunder az matter
how strong an arch is in resisting exterior pressure is
when such pressure from the interior
One three-feet iron main, such laid in
nexon with the distributing reservoir, with thickness
Of metal Of and quarter nch would convey
much water now be brought through the aque
duct; for it would have al the advantages Of the entire
head Of the Croton dam, and the water if necessary
would thus be forced through it at the Of FIVE six
more miles per hour TrO such Mains gviDga greatly
increased supply Of water probably double what the
aqueduct furnishes could have been laid through the
whole extent from the Croton river to the city, for
exceeding five millions Of dollars whilst the aqueduct
cost millions. If any accident should occur to the
aqueduct if any great obstruction should get it,
any collection Of small distinctions which would dam up
the water WITH severe pressure against the sides and
crown Of the areh and rend asunder, it well might
do for very considerable distance the whole supply Of
water would be cut Off and PROBABLY for considerable
tme until the extensive and costly repairs could be
peted With two iron mains, however, this result could
hardly occur for they would descend into the valleys
and up and the hills but be always buried suf
GENTLY below the surface Of the ground be perfectly
from designed and almost from the probability Of
accidental injury and is hardly probability that both
should boo ,tnfo
OF durability these pipes would exceed the aeueduct
for in good soil cast iron Of that thickness would last for
centuries, and it is hardly possible that stone masonry
can stand the effects Of constantly running stream for
even enc generation without requiring repairs greater
or less extent and always regular attention and careful
wetchfalness.
Whilst the Harlem ssens-b-iasa Hrueiuct was
building, CT these threefeet iron mains
ed with the end Of the aqueduct which had been finish
ed down the north bank Of that river and used TO
conduct the whole supply Of water that came down
through the aqueduc the river and to the great
reservoir and if the city, instead Of building that bridge,
at expense Of ST. 100000 convey the water
the river, had done by laying Of the above mains
in the bed Of that small stream, it would have been
more safe and efficient mode, and would have been
compished at expense not exceeding 100000 There
is probably instance record where any city has
thrown away than million Of dollars SO uselessly
for the parade and show Of having such structure
above ground
hope It is not correct see 1t stated in the papers,
that is decided to introduce supply Of water into
Washington by Of aqueduct In addition the
preceding objections the plan and the in favor
Of iron pipes, Congress will probably demur the
pense particularly as when Uncle Sam is stand pay
MASTER that expense win be increased greatly above
the proportionabe cost Of the Croton aqueduct You
will also find that for the right Of way for aqueduct
heavy damages win be claimed and will be awarded
against the National Treasury wherea. for three-fee
iron pipes all that would be required would be permission
to dig trench and FIJI up again. leaving the surface
it was; and for this damages, at any rate very
trifng ones, could be demanded or obtained
If such plan is really thought OF, hope it viii be
well and carefully reconsidered before It is definitely
adopted, as ii would involve useless and heavy
expense and endanger the completion Of the whole
work. Congress will get out Of temper with the large
calls for appropriations and may conclude abandon
the work. when partly finished if they ascertain it
win probably cost three or four millions Of dollars.
Parties, have doubt be found in this city who
win furnish, lay, and completely ct iron pipes, which
shall be capable of0conyeying supply Of water fully
equal nqueduct, for one-haf Of reasonable esti-
mate for the cost Of the latter
New York could have been as well or better supplied
with water by Of iron mains than she now is at
saving Of notices. than four five millions Of dollars and
this sum- thus economical would have completed another
great work which she has yet perform viz facing the
whole Of East river with permanent and substantial