The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-08-24


mously agreed to.
Mr.. King offered resolution, that Frederick
Graf, II. p. M. BirlSinbine, with two others to
be by them selected, be appointed commits
sion to consider and report to Councils the
best plan for supplying the city with water
commensurate with the rapidly increasing
growth of the city. The said commission
Shall make thorough and full examination of
the subject, and report to these Councils the
result of their investiga tions and shall be paid
such compensation as shall hereafter be deter
mined by these Councils.
Mr.. Franciscus moved to refer the commu-
ncaton to the Committee on Water.
Mr.. King earnestly asked that before this
was done q report should be listened to from
the Chief Engineer of the Water-worIs To do
otherwise would literally be egotism. The
gentlemen proposed to be employed upon this
matter were experts, authorized to employ two
others. Let these gentlemen make the proper
observation in detail, and no further scarcity
of water such as now exists, could ever oc-
cur. The speaker had been asked what the
city would do in the existing case. His reply
was, "I will do anything, will vote for anything
that will give the required relief What
would prove the remedy the speaker knew
not, excepting the means specified in his mo-
tion above.
Mr. Francscus said that this Chamber was
convened, not to appoint commission, but to
find the means to supply the city for the pre-
sent with the water it needed. 1t was for this
that the present meeting was called. What
the people now want is not commissions" !"
but water. And this water they want at once.
1t will be time enough when this drought is
over to discuss the question of water-wor1S en-
largement; what is now indispensable is an
immediate supply.
Mr.. Hodgdon, chairman of the Committee on
Water, reported an ordinance appropriating
$4,000 to the payment of damages to the
Schuylllill Navigation Company for the loss of
employment to their boats; such sum to be de-
Quoted from any award subsequently made to
the Navigation in consequence of such loss.
Mr.. Hodgdon explained that for some days
past all the water of the navigation had been
turned to the use of the Water Department
There were some five hundred boats lying high
and dry, to which they could give no water.
The boatmen are deprived of employment for
the present at least.
Mr.. King opposed the appropriation in the
present shape. He thought that the S25, 600
would be as well spent by the Committee of
Councils as by special commission.
Mr.. Smith read a letter upon the subject,
showing that five hundred boats are now lying
high and dry. Many of these people have
their families with them upon their boats.
They are in the main penniless. The Naviga
tiOn has been sending them money and fodder.
The officers of the Company have been self
sacrificing in the matter. Their operations
have long been stopped, yet their expenses
have not for a day been diminished from the
usual rate. Give them this $25 900, and from
any future award of damages the amount will
be deducted.
Mr.. King could not see the force of this ar
gument. Mr.. Hodgdon is a most careful mem.
hon Ia hoq invn Stinafnh tba and tbncc
people have certainly been injured. A law suit
looms up in the distance. We are anticipating
it, and rendering verdict of ''guilty'' by Civ
| ing in advance of verdict the sum of $25 ,00O
| for damages sustained by the Navigation for
the period of just nine days.
| Mr.. Cattell deemed the appropriation but
proper and just. The Navigation shut its
| locks and opened its dams, gave up it's own
business, and relinquished all its interests to
| the interests of the city. They bring no suit
| for damages; they 60 honOraby to the city.
They have a large number of employees, who,
| if not restrained by high-toned motives, might
| break through the locks, which now supply
| the city with water from the canal, and pass
| on their boats. They could do so if they
| pleased They are waiting to see what Coun-
| ellis will do. Who will say that the Schuylkill
Navigation ought not to be compensated for
the suspension of their business!
Mr.. Plumly approved of the resolution.
Many people will now learn for the first time
that Philadelphia is supplied with water by a
private corporation. The damages done to
this corporation would probably be fixed by a
court at quarter million Of dollars. Even
| temporarily to satisfy such a power S25 OOO
| is but a tithe of what should be claimed by
| them.
Mr.. Stollley said that these boatmen could
not push out the gates of the locks. The
topography of the canal prevented any such
procedure if it We're undertaken.
Mr.. Smith thought that the Schuylkill Navi-
cation Company, if Councils refused this, then
reasonable request, would be justified in
closing every leak in their works clear down
to the city of Philadelphia.
Mr.. Plumly remarked that the city would
largely be gamers, and would simply manifest
their magnanimity, by the appropriation OF the
$4,000 desired for the payment OF damages
Mr.. Duffy thought that we wanted water IN
the basins. The present object was TO get
it there. There is water enough IN the
Schuylkill..
Mr.. Plumly. This afternoon the Hope
Engine Company will test their skill in pump
ing water into the reservoir. 1t will be time
enough to make appropriations "heh Such
means have failed.
NJ Hancock thought the whole subject a
forca If the Navigation Company want S25,
600 they can raise it in ten minutes in the
street IF at a regular meeting they come
bare with a claim Of 100000 damages the
nnaolyer would vote to pay it. He was not
wiIIing to go home and tell his constituents to-
rirbt that he had given away $25 900 of the
nity;s money until the Navigation Company
baS nersonaily come forward, and, at a regular
n,eeting. presented their claim.
MIR. Fox said he had been absent from the
citv for several weeks, but the eighteen gen.