New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-11-27
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE
WATER-WORKS AND MOTIVE POWER FOR
CITIES.

SIIlfSs
Effective MEANS OF PREVENTING LARGE coy
Observation-Disclosures OF WATER IN
DER A HIGH PRESSURE.
To me Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: Permit me through your columns to
call the attention OF the Mayor and other city officials OF
Chicago plan Of water works for large ciths which
have heretofore discussed with several OF my engineer
Ing friends, and, hut for the unfortunate condition OF
Municipal Government would this have brought
to the consideration OF the authorities OF this city,
What propose Is auxiliary water works. not requiring
tho use Of potable water and intended 40 far AZ cor
porae needs concerned to supply water for quench
ing fires and for washing streets cleaning sewers cess
pooh. &c, and which may be made sefsupporting
through furnishing at reasonable prices, motive power
Tor most oil the for which such power Ia now needed
In cities. To carry ont this plan, more sets OF
pnmpingengmes will be required, which should I've so
situated to reduce the friction In the delivery pipes to
the lowest limits and he capable Of delivering through
the distance to which 1t be desired TO extend the
system. suitable volume Of water under high pres
sure-say from $50 to 200 pounds to the square inch
This mode Of distributing power Is not in its ap-
picatlon to small areas as II Ia generally practiced
In Besscincr Steel Works. and Sir william Armstrong
some years ago brought into in England for wharf
cranes aud other where steam power either in
convenient or unsafe. Some OF the city water Of
England deliver their water under such head that the
pressure il utilized for many minor purposes such
blowing church organs, driving washing machine. and
similar light work. and quite recently gen.
lernan in one Of the New England cities has applied tur
bnes similar those which have long been used in Eu
gland to drive sewing machines by the Aid OF the city
water have never any proposition to organize
special water works these and kindred purposes but
after full consideration Of subject during the past
year. have become convinced that the plan us pract-
cable and that properly carried out It Will not only
give cc- control large fires which no fire appa'
rats on the present plan do but also furnish motive
power elevators in warehouses; printing presses ma
chino. hops. and all works not using power on very
large scale more cheaply and safely than 1t can he
realized from the ordinary modes Of developing power
through steam. The greater safety OF life and property
CONSEQUENT upon the aba sOnment Of steam boilers would
alone make ths plan WORTHY " considerations whic the
reduction Of insurance rates In consequence OF me cx
i,tcucr of inch c,ntro fires would also be- very
great
The varons advantages Of this plan too numerous
to he discussed in snch letter a. this. but many 9" them
will apparent slight reflection on the subject
novel; and who familiar with the use "f wat IN
pressure engine, will SUPPOSE There ni-t DE- era' n
,uy in developing this plan: but hefNing II feasible
and exceedingly valuable for All cities where large guam
titles of accessible, commend IT esl"' ANY I"
the consideration If tn" thicago aollties ana sHiIi ~,
pleased to give further details OF II should they he he-
sr-d Had Chicago streets been iinrd With pipe. AIRY
ing wafer under the prc>slrc~ herein named anu huthc
advantages thereof been Developed ne they womb then
undoubtedly have been. in ls manufacturers aud ware
houses well m private buildings, The lcaru cohli
grafton would hardly have occurred.
In uutnching fires la womcn rtI1lrfnieS-as every rN-
pcricccd knOw-iI ~ of great Importance to
have considerable force 10 the streams of water urth
and although the reaction -,ich IrrS~ur's - nave
Indicated would render necessary some exp,ncl'~ 20
enable IcIncn I" work their pipf> the control OF srh
'a,,- T.. :. Dt GiHL.
10. ;6 Broad,rdy N,r, York. NOV. Is, Isl.