New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-07-16
THE WATERwoRKs

From the card published in yesterdays
Picay1ne, signed by Messrs.. Leeds & Co.
and others, it appears that the proposed
extension Of the city's waterworks is
neither desirable nor justifable on the
score Of costliness, and the present supply
Of machinery being ample for all necessi-
ties
1t is admitted by the friends Of this pro-
posed improvement that the present ma
chinery is excellent of it's kind, but not
equal to the wants of the entire city, which
includes the Fourth and Sixth Districts.
How is it that out of 10000 hydrants,
scarcely 5000 can be supplied with the
present power? We know that this defec-
ton is not attributable to the machinery,
but to irregularity and arrangement of the
pipes. 1t is admitted that the present en-
gines and pumps have greater capacity
than is utilized, but can not be applied to
the proposed extension in Immediately
supplying the needy Fourth and Sixth
Districts, nor be serviceable in the general
proposed plan of perfecting and improving
the entire system throughout the city,
which can not be done without the con-
templated new machinery.
The object Of the department is to se-
cure first engines and pumping capacity,
in duplicates, to be worked singly or to-
gether, each set with power sufficient to
supply efficiently the entire city, incl1sive
Of the Fourth and Sirth Districts. These
duplicates, while having capacity in each
separately to furnish the entire city, will
serve for the gradual increased consump-
ton combined, and provide in case of any
unforeseen accident.
When this new machinery is com pleted
and in operation, supplying the up
per and rear districts, now so much in
want Of water for protection against fires,
cleansing and domestic purposes, a feature
of the improved plan is to connect grad
ually all the pipes in the present service
to the new machinery, with such general
method Of arrangement as viii make the
supplies superintendent all over the city,
and with pressure sufficient to serve it
throughout not less than one hundred feet
high. When soperfected the machinery
now performing service may be used in
cases Of accident, a provision which the
city has not now, and who can tell what
moment such an emergency may not
occur
None Of the large cities of the North,
East or West but are wisely provided with
so as to have provision in case
Of accident Chicago has four sets Of en-
gines and pumps, of not less than ten to
fourteen millions each, and we learn after
the recent sad experience is providing
more. cleveland has two sets, each from
ten to fourteen millions; Buffalo has two |
also; Philadelphia, Spring Garden Works,
has four sets Of engines and pumps; Ken
singtoh Works, at Philadelphia, has two |
sets, all Of about equal capacity, and the
Works, also at Philadelphia, has
two sets.
The machinery proposed to carry out
this general plan OF improvement and ex-
tension is not only obviously necessary,
but can not be dispensed with longer
without endangering the safety Of the city
It any moment.
The protest Of disappointed competitors
5 obviously not altogether disinterested.
We imagine that the much desired
action by the Council to-day viii not be
Affected thereby. We share in common
with the larger portion Of citizens in the
restitution which afiicts us, and property
4 the Fourth District particularly, and in
-ne lower aud rear portions Of the city.
Inc Administrations highly commendable
ior pushing forward this work Of much
needed improvement, and securing in the
interest ct consumers. not only an album
liant and cheap supply of this article Of
primary necessity, but in Keeping the con