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


select Branch-President Sperlng filled the CHAIR
with full attendance of members The lobbIes
hoWever were deserted, and viii probably remain
90 until the frost nips
A petition was received asking for the opposition
OF Councils to the erection Of bridge on Mechanic
street, Manayunk proposed by the Reading Rail-
road Company.
communication was received from the inspec
tors OF the county prison suggesting much needed
Improvement in the mode of con veyinR prisoners
70 ana from the county prison 1t was ordered to
response from the City Solicitor relative to
ashes upon Broad street was for the present laid
note was received from II. p. M. BlrkInbne
calling attention TO alleged reflections upon him by
the present Chief Engineer relative to certain un-
finished work left by him 70 his successor for
plelion. Mr.. Brkinbine claims that he is thus re-
feeted upon in several reports made by Mr. GraeG
Mr.. Stokeiy moved that the document be
printed.
>. Mr.. Wagner asked that It be laid upon the table.
To print would be expensive.
The CHAIR said that Mr.. Birknbine had called
upon MIN with It, and was very desirous that 1t
The document was therefore read follows:
To the Select and Common Councils of the city
of Philadelphia-Gentlemen: Having enjoyed the
confidence Of your honorable body as Chief En-
gineer of the Water Department for nearly seven
years, during which time large appropriations
were made for alterations and improvements 70
the Water Works, upon my recommendation, 1
addressed TO you by the present Engineer relating
TO the work which left unfinished. These reports
reflect severely upon my abilities as an engineer,
and, IL at all true demonstrate that the confidence
so long reposed in me by Councils was entirely
misplaced, and that whatever measure of success
may have attended the management Of the De-
partment, the improvements carried out,
was entirely accidental and can in no way be
accredited to any ability may be supposed to
possess Believing that a thorough Investigation
of the facts of the case will exhibit the ncorreet-
ness of the reports above referred to, 1 most re-
spectfully submit the following statements in
reference to two reports upon the West Philadel-
phia reservoir and one upon the mains connect
ing the Germantown with the Roxborough re-
servoir.
The communication of April 10th (Of Journal
Select Council p 2e9) does not present the subject
fairly; the second paragraph is incorrect. Allow
me to make a statement of the facts In the appro-
priation of the million dollar loan for extend
ing the Water Works, the sum of one hundred and
purpose of constructing reservoir in the Twenty
fourth ward. estimated that this amount would
build reservoir of twenty-five millions OF gallons
capacity. When, however, surveys were being
made and trial-pits sunk upon the ground pur-
chased by the city, its topography and that Of the
adjoining property presented natural facilities for
the construction OF a moderately large reservoir,
ton Of the city than any other like altitude,
felt it a duty to call the attention of Councils
70 the subject, and to recommend the eonstruc-
ton of a reservoir to store two hundred mill
lions of gallons. at my instance, the Chairman
of the Committee on Water, and subsequently
the Mayor, COMMITTEE on Water, and several
members of Councils, visited the location, and
very favorably impressed with the natural
facilities afforded for such reservoir. At the
commendaton of the Committee on Water, Coun-
ellis directed the construction of the two huu-
dTed million gallon reservoir, which estimated
would cost two hundred and fifty thousand dol
lars. While the surveys were being made, and
nsfore any drawings, plans, or detailed estimates
~ the department. The estimates contained in
ohosa reDorts are not mine but the present eugi-
neer's and little examination will illustrate their
unreliability In the estimate for the twent y-hve
miiijou gallon reservoir which he calculates to
cost two hundred and fifty six thousand two hum
dred and eighty mine dollars and eighty-sx cents,
the amount of excavation estimated would leave
cavity sufficient to contain forty four million gal
Ions. Surely IL cannot be considered mark of
eneineering skill TO spend eighty-eght Thousand
fp1r doll hafO
cents hauling waste earth to the spoil bank, he
proposes to do. All the excavation necessary is
that to form the embankment, and only earth unfit
10 be SO used should be hauled to the spoil bank
1t is also difficult 10 conceive where the large
amount of masonry estimates can be used and to
spend twenty-five thousand dollars upon the gate
chant beTs of so small a resei vor would be unwar-
ranted extravaganza. With these deductions my
estimate will be fou nd abou u correct
The same remarks Will apply TO the calculations
Tor the large reservoir, " hich he makes to cost
seven hundred and seventy-two thousand nine
hundred and sixty-sX dollars aad thlrty-tour
cens, where there is an estimate Oh one hunutea i
and eIghty-tw thousand six hundred and ninety
three dollars and sixty cents for hauling waste
earth to the spoil bank and htty one nousand one
aIIIng depressions in the bottom of the reser voir
If the depressions needed filling, the propriety OF
doing 1t with surplus earth, instead OF hauling 1t
TO the spoll bank, would have suggested itself to
almost any one, thus saving, at least the fifty one
thousand one hundred and sixty dollars and eighty
CENTS Throwing out these items, and others which
simply serve the purpose of swelling the amount,
the estimate presented you will be found sum-
One of the objections urged against the large
reservoir, is the expense Of making 1t OF any
utility to the principal portion OF the city lying
east of the river the estimated cost by your Eng-
Deer being one hundred and ninety thousand dol
lars. The distance from Thirty fifth street, on
which IL was proposed to lay the main from the
Twenty fourth Ward Water Works, to the thirty
inch main connecting the OOrinthian avenue and
Spring Garden reservoirs, is only about four thou
sand feet. On north College avenue there are two
sixteen inch mains, to one Of which connections
have already been made, leading north through
that part OF the city which is at too great eie-
w lad hyt thaO 9TH
The superior elevation OF the Twenty fourth ward
reservoir is such that its entire contents could be
uoursd into those on the east side If necessarythe
eonn Setion suggested, and the closing of a few
atoms are all that will be required to complete the
infringement The one hundred and ninety thou
Gand dollars which your Engineer estimates the
Connection TO cost might be expended, but fifty
thousand dollars would be more than sufhclen
for the work Had the large reservoir been CON
structed and connected as recommended, IL woulc
nave been more than paid for by preventing tht
apnovapce and loss to which manufacturers were
subjected by the failure Of the city TO furnish then
with water during several days OF the past sum
mer To abandon the large reservoir ana construc
a small one as recommended IN the communica
tion of July Sd (Of Jour Select Oouncli' p q
upon careful examination appears to be ill-ad
Vsed. - .,..... =. -,
sented for O reservoir, TO contain thrty-seVen mil
lion gallons 10 cost two hundred thousand dollars
including fifteen per cent for conuh hsehGles an an
omissions, and twenty hYe thousond dollar gaze
house. After making tair deductions, slmpl
statement, in direct proportion, Will sno" that IA
original esumase was sufficient for the purpost
The change in location is simply carrying tne re
servoir further up the blli not 10 the summit, pu
merely changing the site, 80 that IL can pe salo
be different from that recommended. ltwas neve
intended by me 10 raise the surface OF the water y