The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1870-05-07
WAFER
Discussion OF the Subject at the
Court House, last night.

1900 1870
Mr.. Read was elected and explained
the object of the meeting, and intro
duced Hon. Thos. 7. FIagler, Presi-
dent of the Holly Manufacturing Co,
Of Lockport, N. Y.
Mr.. Flagler proceeded to explain
the difference between the Holly
method of supplying cities with water
aud the reservoir system. BY the
Holly plan, the water was forced by
the machinery directly into the pipes,
the pressure from which is made to
vary according to the demand made
upon them, whereas in the reservoir
plan the weight of the water in the
reservoir is the power relied upon to
fill the pipes.
In the reservoir plan, the water has
to be pumped to a height in the reser-
voir equal to the greatest height the
pipes are required to go. thus making
it necessary to keep a large body of
water at an unusual height, while in
the Holly plan this is employed in
keeping the pipes forced full. at a saw
ing in the expenditure Of power.
In order to provide against the
contingency of machinery getting out
of repair, an extra set Of machinery is
kept in reserve, as in all other com
plete systems.
He showed that in the running ex-
penses the Holly system was the most
economical. 1t was surer than the
reservoir system, which is more
liable to get out of order. II would
supply purer water, as it adopted the
system of fltering by wells, instead
of settling by reservoirs; and lastly,
he quoted numerous examples to
show that as a. source Of eVenu it
possessed advantages superior to any
other system.
His speech was In a great measure
composed of matter the substance of
which has already been repeatedly
published in the JOURNAL, and going
to show the great superiority of the
system.
The rates Of supply are so much
cheaper than the expense at which
individuals can supply themselves.
and m%aiutain cisterns, wells, etc., the
aggregate cost of which is undoubt-
edly greater in this city than the ul-
innate expense of water works; their
cheapness, therefore, recommends
them.
The rates in Binghampton, N. T.,
being from 50 to 80 per house, aver
aging about So per year. In Auburn,
where they are owned by a corpora
dion, the rates are So so per year.
Mr.. Ingle was fully satisfied with
regard to the superiority of this sys-
tenn to all others, entertaining only q
single doubt. and that was its adapta-
bility to the situation here. He also
asked whether the Holly Company
would undertake the whole work,
either for cash OF the city's bonds.
Mr.. Flagler has perfect confidence
In the ability of this system to con-
vert the turbid waters Of the Ohio,
into pure limpid water as had been
done with the waters Of the Susque-
hanna, at Binghampton, by the filter
ing, which might be by either natural
or artificial filters. where soil did not
supply it. AS to the second question,
the Company arc manufacturers of
machinery only, and do not dig the
wells or lay the pipes, but there were
many companies who both manufac-
ture and lay pipe, guaranteeing
strength, which was An important
item.
Mr.. Ingle said he had no doubt as
to the safety of contracting for pipe,
machinery, &C., but as to the cost of
sinking the iltering shafts he was es-
pecially anxious to secure a response
BILE corporation like the Holly Com
pany, to take the whole work, lest the
cost might exceed the estimate of cost,
or the city's ability, so that the city
may know when it begins to build
the works, where the expense may
end.
Mr.. Flagler could not assume any
Of the doubts depending upon the
soil through which the shafts must
paes. Tho assumption Of the respon-
sibility naturally belonged to Evans
vile, and his company would not, and
should not be expected to do so. AZ
Covington the work bad been begun
BY tunneling seventy-two feet, and il
would be necessary here.
Ia response to a question by Mr.
Robt. A. Hill, Mr.. Flagler explained
the popularity of the Holly patents.
Mr.. Chandler thought there was nc
doubt about the relative purity Of the
river and cistcrn water.
We do not know that any result
has been attained il any expert
ments in fltering the water Of the
Ohio.
Mr.. jeffrey had advanced the same
idea, but it was denied by some, and
this was the doubt VIC must take the
burthen Of, and this was now the
question before us, and one we should
inform ourselves as TO the practica.
biliiy of, before we rush into tho ex.
pense Of an experiment so great.
Mr.. Flagler agreed with Mr.. Chand,
Ter that this was the question. Gov.
%inrion was making the experiment