The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-06-28

Only Three Inches Over the Dam-The Volume
In the Schuiyiklli Observation-Disclosures
of Another DroughI-A Glaring AI,stal<e-A
Word of Caution TO Housekeepers, Brewers,
Manufacturers and Others.
We are not of those who live in, as it were,
slant state OF delrium forever seeing some frghtful
shadow Other great bugbear Neither are we Of
those who would lie supinely on their backs, and
trust TO fate to work all things to good purpose.
We believe in the scriptural adage which says,
"God helps those who help themselves" therefore,
in order that our citizens may be prepared to help
themselves, and without designing or intending to
create any undue alarm, we VIII lay before our
OF affairs at Paramount, which we CLEANED by a
thorough personal inspection this morning.
1t was clearly demonstrated last August that in
case OF lack of water in the Schuylkil above Fair
mount the people OF this great city would be placed
entirely at the mercy of the elements, and upon
them, Would depend not only their health and COM
fort, but the vast manufacturing interests which in
case OF want OF water would suffer to almost an ir
retrievable extent nor would this be all, for fire
occurring, the chances would be that an immense
destruction Of property would be wrought
From present prospects, we are sorry 10 say that
the chances OF another drought similar to tnat OF last
only too probable, and the loater supply
lou DO equally as scarce Despite the experience OF
last year. despe sae asg desyte eISS tha ana
was said and done during that great water famine
not one step has been taken in the right direction
to increase the supply OF water should the volume
of the Schuylki from above the dam give out 'Tis
true new turbine wheel has been erected at an
immense outlay, which was set in operation some
two weeks ago, and which is said possesses sui-
cient power TO MI the basin in two hours, but OF
cient water to work it? great deal OF talk has been
wasted both by Councils the heads of the Water
Department. and Others relative TO extensive reser
voirs, patent pumps aQueducts, etc, but now when
the summer is actually upon u.s. when water Is most
needed, and when is entirely Indispensable Qf it
ever were Otherwise), We look around and ind
that not single step has been taken which viii
enable us to breathe freely should the drought con-
found it drained almost dry, for the purpose OF
allowing the workmen TO construct cotfer-dam, the
object being the erection OF another powerful tur-
wheels.
Entering the wheel-house all was quiet, except in
the northern end where the machinery was slowly
working.
Accosting a workman, we inquired as to the case
when he replied, 1--WE have shut down."
''What for 2" asked we.
'TO allow them construct a Golfer dam"
"What is the object OF that?"
there (pointing in the direction OF the old tread
whees), and another small one there" pointing to
| the other end).
'Wnl that increase YOUR supply much"
"Oh yes greatly"
''These turbines cannot be worked by steam ?"
'Oh yes you can run them by steam, bat We
| haven't the steam power"
Turning to the doorway, we said, ''There is but
| little water running over the DAM"
"Yes; that's SO. was in hopes we would nave
| had rain before this"
| "Well, what II IL don't conner"
With shrug OF the shoulders, he replied, "That
will be bad"
"Can you work II the supply from above gives
! out?"
mot unless the Navigation Company lets down.
| Pursuing our steps still further we met another
| workman who Informed Us that they expected 10
start about noon: propOunded several questions,
| IN answering which he gave as his opinion that
wheels should be built To run by steam, which could
be used in ceses OF emergency, and at other times
left idle remarkipg ''they would not eat anything
| FICIi here ne NSuGcd Ogf WaJ 10 lac dan A-ll
found that the depth was Just three inches, WHIST