Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-12-30
The Water Works Question =
practical SuggestfOu.

tEaCtACdA SuSseSthOh.
,EDIToRs STATESMAN AS it is a foregone
conclusion that Columbus must be sooner
or later supplied with water by aqueduct,
l propose to offer few suggestions to our
citizens in regard to the manner in which
that question should be solved. In doing
this work, it should be the aim to combine
usefulness and beauty, and to that effect I
offer the following suggestions: Let a
square or block of ground be bought
where it can be had at the lowest rate-on
High, if possible, If not, then on Front or
Second street. In making the reservoir,
let the main wall be built % feet from the
sidewalk line, and 25 feet high, in durable
outer wall be of brick and 80 feet high,
forming two stories in the interstice be-
tween the walls, to be finished off as stores,
shops etc. The inner wall should have NJ
opening inward, and the roof should slant
inwards, so as to shed all the rain-water
into the reservoir. The roof all round should
have no scuttles, and thus the reservoir
would he protected against the
throwing in of garbage and filth, and no
influence but that of sanitary sunbeams
would affect the water. On the front of
this hydraulic block should be a facade of
Doric pillars, surmounted by raised plat
form upon which should be fire bell of at
least 5000 pounds weight, and over this
should be high wrought iron tower, with
winding staircase, surrounded by senti-
mel box, with windows all around, (very
like steamboat pilot-house,) to which
should center a fire-alarm apparatus
By attaching a spring to the clapper of the
bell, a regular fire alarm could be rung
from the lookout above; and the watch
man on duty should also be required to
strike the hours and quarters throughout
the day and night.
This hydraulic block may be at first sup
piled by engines from the Scioto, until a
head of water at least thirty feet above the
floor of the reservoir can be tapped else
where for supply. One of our fire en-
gines thus on duty would be as absolutely
on duty as if the firemen were doing away
their time at the engine houses or walking
off the superabundant fat of the horses.
1 take it that a combined block and res
ervoir built on this plan would net enough
in rents to pay the interest on at least one
million of dollars at ten per cent. At the
same time, useful and ornamental struc-
tnre would be added to the city,
and fine lookout achieved at trifiing
expense. Pipes need not be extended only
in the principal streets at first, for the
means for detecting fires would, or ought
to greatly lessen the loss of property. A
civil engineer could easily estimate the
quantity of water such a cistern would
hold, but the rent to be derived from the
stores and shops around the whole block
would depend, of course, upon the location,
but sooner or later business would naturally
tend toward SO conspicuous an object. 1t
could not be placed within quarter of
mile of the State House, upon High street,
or even on Front street, without almost
from the start becoming an interest-paying
improvement. In this light, and by adopt
ing this plan, voting water-yorks is not
really voting more taxes.
A few trout dropped into the cistern
would greatly help to preserve the purity
of the water, for fish, by devouring fresh
water algae, insects and animalcules, are
most useful water scavengers.
Respectfully yours,
PoLITIAN.