The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-10-18


was constructed to contain twenty three feet.
Having had some experience in repairing the
seryolr on Oorinthian avenue, which was In
one-third of the price and the works were pur-
chased wiihoutit. The Rozborough reservoir was
intended to supply the district for the presen and
no regard was paid TO the Germantown Com
pany's reservoir. There had been, however, no
compla inis from the water tenants at German
town while the water was kept at nine feet. Ar
rangements were therefore made to furnish Ger
mantown at this head. Now II the thirteen feet
which the water is below the top of the German
town reservoir be added to the one and seventy
four this feet which IL is said 10 be belovv
that at Roxborough, and the formula, which is i'm
correctly copied into the report be applied not to
the greatest possible distance, but to the nearest
Inch main IS abundantly large, and will furnish
an adequate supply TO fifty thousand inhabitants
under better head than that at which German
town is now supplied, when the reservoir is as
full as it can be pumped with safety.
The calculation OF the How of water through
main seventeen thousand feet long, under head
Of only one and seventy-fou hundredths feet, is
simply ridiculous, as there would be practically
no flow at all. Another objection is based upon
the experience had with a single twenty Inch main
at the Jersey CITY Works; this single instance is
not sufficient to found principle upon and it may
be added that the water of the Passaic is different
IL its action upon iron from that OF the Schuylkill
The action of the SchuyIkiI water is so slight that
the coating of the pipe has not been considered of
suhcent Importance to warrant the expense. The
idea that coating pipes will increase their capacity
TO deliver water is a mistaken one. The stratum
OF water in contact with the sides of the pipe forms
better lubricator than any other substance.
which makes the cost of the works for Roxeorough
six hundred and forty seven thousand dollars, in
stead of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars,
the amount originally appropriated. No estimate
was made for main to Germantown, the works
supplying That place being at the time in the hand
OF prlYete company: The prices OF labor and
material have advanced fully fifteen per cent since
my estimate was made, but these are the only ad-
ditions necessary The time when another engine
will be required is far in the future that it does
not properly enter into these calculations The
works will answer all purposes, If carried out
originally planned, and will furnish a supply of
two million gallons per day to Roxborough, Ma
nayunk and Germantown.
In projecting the works it was fully understood
that the water furnished to Manayunk would be
lifted to greater elevation than necessary, but
until the entire capacity of the works is demanded
1t would be useless to erect pumping works
pressly for the low.lying districts Objections
might be urged to other statements contained in
these reports, but the above will be sufficient for
the purposes of this communication.
l most respectfully ask that Investigations be
to myself alone; the interests of the city also de-
mand it. Yours, respectfully,
Philadelphia, Oct. II, 1867.
Mr.. Cattell moved that the document be laid on
the table, and not be printed Here is discharged
man, declaring that all the estimates of the gentle
man now holding the position are false. There is
no use in referring this matter to the Committee
Water; nothing can be made out oft. Indeed many
of the statements 1t makes we know to be inaccu-
rate. We have suffered sufficiently for Mr.. Birkin-
bine's mistakes and miscalculations. The docu-
ment is simply piece of disrespect to q gentleman
whose
duties he is every day showing himself abundantly
able TO perform with great advantage TO the city.
Mr. Kerr did not desire to saddle the city with the
cost OF printing the document, but as the commu-
ncation of citizen, officer of the city, it
ought at least to be referred to the Committee on
Water.
MIR. Smith thought that as Mr.. Brkinbine had
long served the city it right that his COM
munication should be printed in the appendix for
preservation.
Mr.. Hodgdon didn't see a bit of use in spending
between two and three hundred dollars to print
such matter as this
Ultimately the matter was referred to the Com
nittee on Water, which carries the printing with
The City Solicitor announced, relative to the
using of ashes in Broad street for paving that the
subject was now in course of litigation.
An ordinance providing for the alteration into
store Of the premises Nos Ills and lll7 Chestnut
street, at a cost of S26, 600, was adopted
1t was stated that $4,000 year rental was offered
for each of the premises, when properly recon+
Mr.. Ritchie, from the Committee on Schools,
offered an ordinance authorizing the purchase OF
lot of ground the south side Of Pine street. west
| of Thirty. ninth, for school purposes.
This was opposed by MIR. Cattell and by other
the purpose. The result of such an appropriation
would be that the city would be holden for the
| ground rent, and receive no equivalent for II.
| Mr.. Wagner urged that in view of the difficulty
of obtaining any lot in the vicinity, the purchase
Mr.. Catteii pointed out that six dollars per loot
| for land neither paved nor graded was high
| figure. Even the street was not yet opened.
| The bill was postponed--yeas 13, nays 8.
An ordinance authorizing the purchase of a lot
| on the south side of Locust street, east OF Fif-
| teenth, for school purposes, was postponed.
| A resolution authorizing the Chief Commissioner
| of Highways to cause all the ground Of the work
in his department to be measured before 1t is be-
| gun, and to keep book specially for preserving
| such measurements, with amounts expended in
each ward, was passed.
The bill from Common Council relative TO re-
pairing South street, was concurred in.
A resolution to tramway Mechanic street. Second
wsrd offered by Mr.. Kamerly, was passed.
Bills TO open Ninth and other streets, as passed
by Common Council, were concurred in. Also,
the bill changing the names OF TWO streets In Ger
mantown.
CURED in. Also, the bill relative to the Port War
der s. line.
The bill to construct a sewer IN Berks street,
Twenty. eighth ward, passed.
| The Common Council sent in the steam boiler
bill of this Chamber, in which they concurred but
with amendments.
The subject was postponed for two weeks.
The annual appropriation to the Oity Controllers
| department was concurred in, Adjourned.
Common BrGneh.-At tweaty minutes after three
| o'clock the Chamber was called to order by Presi-
| dent Marcer.
A message from the Mayor, approving various
/ ordinances, &c, was received.
A comm unieation was received from Chief En-.
| gineer ID. M. Lyle, announcing that he had sus-
/ pended the Western and Spring Garden Engine
Companies for riotous conduct on the night of Oc.
tober 10.
| Also, a communication from H. p. M. BirkIn.
/ bine, denying certain statements made in the re.
| ports of the present engineer, which have beer
| Submitted 10 Councils. Mr. Birkinbne make!
| counter statements, and essays to prove them. Re
l ferTed 10 the Committee on Water.
| Mr.. Fran nciscus offered q resolution instructinF
| the Committee Finance to inquire into thI
/ method of transacting business and the manner o.
the city government, and report at the earliest
| 10 Councils. Adopted.