, 1875-08-01
OUR PUBLIC WORKS.


fourteenth annual report Of the Board Of
Public Works, which presents some items Of
much interest, especially with regard to our
water facilities, which We commend generally
to the people Of Chicago, and particularly to
the insurance interests and sore headed news
sistently misrepresented the efforts made by
Chicago to protect herself against danger
from fire. From the report Of the Board, it
now appears that at the time Of the 1871 fire
We had 272 miles Of water pipe; now we
have nearly 400. There were then 1869
hydrants; now there are 2,6o7. The capac-
ity Of the Water Works at that time
was $4,000, 900 gallons Per day; before
the close of the present financial
year, it will be 10o,0o0,000 gallons
In addition to this total increase in the quan-
tity Of water, many Of the old pipes and
hydrants have been replaced by new ones,
and ten large fre-cisterns have been built.
To these New York parties We commend the
statement OF the Board that, GAS soon as the
new engines sha1l be in working order {two
compound, condensing, beam-pumping en-
gines, capable Of raising 3o,o0o,0o0 gallons
l55 feet high in twenty-four hours), namely, in
November Of this year, Chicago will be one
Of the safest cities in the counhy-if not in
the world so fix as the water-supply is Con-
cerned" Since 1871, there have been laid
521, 1887 feet Of water-pipe,- 100 miles,
at q cost Of ST, 400, ,453; also 1853 hydrants,
Of which 66 were in the North Division,
129 in the South, and 158 in the West.
The income from water-collectons for the
year (Which ended in ApriD was $7o5, ,926,
decrease Of $2,877 on the collections Of the
previous year, which Was occasioned by the
July fire, that swept away $50 acres OF build
ings. The total income OF the Water Works
since 1854 has been Kix millions ($6, ,086, ,61G).
The expenditures connected with the water
supply for the past year were $C17, 7,065, leav-
ing surplus for the year Of $8B, 1861, which
goes to show that the Water Works are more
than self-supporting.
We are glad to notice, in connection
with the waste Of water, that, in accordance
with the suggestions Of TEE TRIBUNE, the
Board recommend the general use of meters
whenever the financial condition OF the city
viii allow Of their purchase. The comments
Of the Board upon the waste of water are
very forcible and pertinent, and ought to CON-
mend themselves to water-users throughout
the city.
During ths year, AZ miles Of sewerage have
been built, making the entire sewerage of the
city 80 miles, the whole cost Of construction
for the year being 1851, 7,5o7. Eight niles Of
streets have been paved during the year,
making total Of Ill miles Of paved streets
in the city. In this connection, the Board
very curtly hints that many Of the streets are
in very bad condition, and that There can
be no radical or permanent improvement
until the taxpayers, with whom the matter
is optional, choose to pave them" During
the year, over - miles Of sidewalks have been
laid, making 725 miles in the city. During
the year, 712 building-permits were is
sued, and 244 applications for the
removal Of wooden buildings were
favorably acted upon. In connection with
this branch Of their report, the Board very
strongly condemn the practice of allowing
the removal Of wooden buildings within the
city limits, and their protest ought to 10
recognized There is great good sense in
their statement that j" The fre-ordinance now
prohibits citizen from erecting q wooden
building, and, On the theory Of general pro-
lection, requires him to use brick or stone.
It is serious violation Of this theory, and q
gross injustice to citizens thus prohibited, to
authorize the removal Of old wooden build.
ings into proximity with structures built IN
accordance With the provisions OF tho ordi-
nance."
Among miscellaneous improvements ao-
eompushsd during ths ysaz are ths followings
D1e1ein1 IL thu Hvu hAs b@aa 4asxiad on IL