The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-20
OUR ARCTIC VISITOR.
A Slight Relaxation Of His
Icy Grasp.
SOME GOOD SUGGESTIONS.
The Ice in the Rivers and Bay
Diminishing.
THE TROUBLE IN THE SOUND

The milder weather has appreciably improved
the condition of affairs, In 80 far as the ice-bound
pipes are concerned from which is drawn the
supply OF water necessary TO this great city.
1t IL true that this winter has been an
exceptional one; but that some reasonable
and common sense plan should be adopted oy
which the recurrence OF the present difficulties
might be prevented is now forcioly presented.
All the opinions OF engineers most conversant
with the system now In operation tend to show
that there are innumerable remedies which might
be adopted by which the sufrerings experienced so
universally during the past fortnight might be
mltigated II not obviated altogether Some SAN
guine people, during the sunny midday hours
that prevailed In the middle OF the present week.
were falsely deuded with the idea that an end
was about to be experienced OF their troubles.
Again, too, yesterday, when the morning broke
lowering and obscured, the possibility of break
ing OF OF
with which all things have lately been enclrcled,
through the natural action OF the threatened snow
storm which 1t was generally believed would have
to occur before the breaking up OF the rigid grasp
OF Pere Hiper could be considered possibility
| likely to eventuate, was hailed with unqualified
| delight. II was thought that the neck OF the
winter solstiec so to speak, had been broken. Az
| the day advanced, however, the deusiveness OF
|
ton of the thermometer for Instead OF finding
| an unheard OF temperature registered, 1t was dis
| covered that the mercury was slowly but surely
| falling again. Az the night approached further
| retrograde movement the order, and the
| record, which at three O'Clock p Nj. showed
| mean OF thirty one degrees, was at seven O'Clock
| p. NJ. as low twenty-seven degrees, while
IN the succeeding hours up to midnight
the same ratio Of decrease was main
tanned. Even should thaw set in
it would be some days before relief would be
experienced, SO deep has the frost entered the
EARTH In the meanwhile housekeepers may still
do much to mitigate the evils under which they
are suffering, or that may reasonably be expected
to arise from
BURSTING PIPES
by as has been previously suggest ted taking time
by the iorelock and Keeping constant watch on
the water connections. There Is doubtless even
now many tenant OF occupler OF house who,
finding the water pipes frozen, still
hugging the 1attering JUNCTION to his soul
that all will be weN when the weather
moderates and that precautions need be
taken or examination made. Such people, how.
ever, will DO well to at once institute thorough
examination, and when defect Is discovered, as
there doubtless Will be, to at once have 1t
repaired; otherwise when the thaw does set in
much annoyance and actual loss must necessarily
arise.
1t cannot be supposed that the present cold
reign will exist much longer for the sun is every
day gaining greater altitude. and, therefore,
| greater power. And 1t cannot II ordinary CAL
| culations are TO be considered OF any
value, be very long before change occurs.
Just now the only inconvenience felt Is
from stoppage In the supply Q. water owing 10
weather. however. the consequences may be more
serious. for the cracks or aws In the pipes which
ntNSa q "a
felt in the most annoying manner IN the shape OIL
hooded doors, carpets, furniture and ceilings.
THE LESSON LEARNED
should operate to compel landlords and owners OF
houses to insure 70 their tenants next year some
have been compelled to undergo this winter. 1t
may, too, result in law being passed which
Will compel q better system being adopted,
by when similar troubles IN rhe luture may be
rendered improbable or even Impossible. SUCH q
the community, for as matters now stand the
landlords appear to be the masters OF the sltua-
pene a Joking lS' =. % Of the Water
supply IN their houses AT all seasons. They dlsre-
gard the hardshlps and inconvenience tnat they
punctual and Obdurate IN their
DEMANDS FoK THE RENT.
Yesterday the same unusual sights OF honey
combed streets and blazing fires were wit
messed in the efforts OF the plumbers TO
secure to their clients and customers .
continuation OF the water supply, but
the frost was found to have thoroughly perme-
ated the ground That their efforts had to he long
continued before any relief could be obtained.
The different styles OF apparatus used, TOO, in
blowing steam through the pipes aiuer they nad
been opened would have Afforded an opportu nifty
ior study the part OF curious students oil the
science OF engineering seldom 10 DE met with. To
attempt to describe these peculiar contrvanceS
would be futile and Intellectual. Iney must be seen
to be appreciated.
There is "a fear expressed now that, account
OF the great accumulation OF ice IN The various
reservoirs from winch the city supply of water Is
issued there Will be none of this necessary ad-
junct to lie and health obtanabie should the
resent weather continue. From in auirles made
nv re
Lnere appears TO be no reason 10 ANTICIPATE such
result 70 any case considering the perect system
basins rle methods enpioyed are too intricate
to describe or Illustrate. me pubic, however,
need have no apprehension In this respect.
TIMELY ADVICE
The kitchen boilers. or water boxes attached TO
the ranges, are still a source VI positive danger,
winch 1t Will be well to take every possible pre-
caution to prevent. In this regard 1t viii De iound
through wuich the not water passes the first thing
in the morning, II the Ore is allowed TO go
not now, while 1t WIN come through Tie
cold water supply pipe, there may be considered
good reason Tor Deneying that Inc Irost mas acted
upon 1t and sealed 1t up No fire In this case
should be lighted, but the services OF plumber
water back. The dre may then be set gong with
out DANGER This trouble and i1copvenlence may
low fire all night and leaving the waste pipe from
the boiler open SO that tne water may run With
water the boiler IN the morning; but tins sacrl.
fee OF little convenience wild save many hours OF
delay az well as the art and cost arising from
calling IN plumber.
THE TREATMENT OF WASTE PIPES
Another source OF trouble and inconvenience,
both to personal comfort and health, Is to be
found during The present season from the reezing
OF waste pipes and drains IN water closets and
sinks. They are nos thoroughly and electually
protected rom The lrost 1nls can only be pre-
vented by keeping the pipes ree and open at all
times This may be zone by occasionally throw
ine In goOo-sized douOe handful OF salt and Tree
wasnlng win water y. Notwithstanding this APP
plcatlGn, they should become choked up with ice
there is no alternative but TO Call In the plumber
Immediately. BY so doing the health the In
mates Of the house and much nuisance Will be
avoided. Tne cost Will naturally loss OF
actual money, buC this Is better than a loss OF
health.
THE PIRE HYDRANTs.
1t Is suggested that the freeZ,ng up OF the fire