Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1879-04-24
WAFER WORKS
The Other ASMN-

Mr.. EDITOR: In your issue If the
22ad inst. q communication appears in
opposition to the movement now on
foot for the erection Of water works,
and it is but justice to all classes that
the other eide should be heard. The
article is written in that fair spirit that
should enlitIe ii TO the attention Of the
public; bot whilst considering the
statements contained therein they
should be weighed in the light of facts
before conclusion is formed. I will
state that the proposition OF MesSrs.
w. b. McDonough & Co., of Cinein.
natl. Ohio, and j. j. Fitzpatrick, of
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, cO.oes from
parties who are thoroughly expe-
rienced in the building Of water works,
and entirely responsible III every re-
speet, and should receive the most
profound consideration. The prop
OsitiOn was made in three
forms, so that the city would
be at liberty TO choose either, but il
Was thought st the time that the city
lowing TO her embarrassed financial
cOnditiOn) could consider seriously
only the first proposition. THE propO-
sition is based upon the erection Of the
water works by the contracting parties
without any cost to the city. This
they have already done in several
Southern cities. They only ask that
the right of way be granted through
The streets aud alleys and public
grounds, over which the corporation
mas control, and that the city pay $50
per anuum for fifty fire plugs. put in
by the contractor al u cost OF S25 each,
or $50 each for One hundred, if it is
thought that this number is required
to meet demands. All hat is writ
ten about the cost Of WOIks, site for
reservoir, ground for eGgine
buildings, and fO- right of
way for pipes through private
property i5 altogether and entirely
sapeIhuuus and without point as the
contractors would have TO provide for
these things if they build The works
WIlh their own capital and as matter
OF Investment. AneTe is no fair think
ing man who would not at once say
tnat the city should pay for her water
privileges the same as Individuals,
and the rate asked is mucl less in pro-
portion to the water used than is
charged private parties for the use Of
water. Il Hill be part OF the con-
tract that the parties who own and
cOliroI the works, shall at ali times
keep sufficient water in the reservoir
to give an abundant supply in any ex-
tEaOFuinary eIgency as when great
fires are raging, and 10 meet this re-
quiTement, there will necessarily be
heavy daily expense. AS to the price
asked, | will say that it is lower than
is given by any city where the works
belong TO private parties as the follow
ing will show.
DanuiIle, Virginia, having popula-
tiOH Of s 900, took 100 plugs about two
years age for 500 each. The city of
Montgomery, Ala, (about size of this),
took, on the first OutracC, 100 fire
plugs at $75 each. Kansas City, Mo,
took 800 fire plugs at al annual charge
OF S33, 600 for the whole NUM- Der, and
additional ones at $50 each. These
statements are made TO show the lib.
erallty OF the proposition submitted
as to the terms. The expense OF the
City Fire Department is considerable
more than it would be if a water
works We're erected, and there would
be but little use for steam fire engines.
II is already cOutemp plated TO make
uumbeT Of public citizens, at a heavy
cost 10 the city, and place them in
each of the Wgrt8 This is in answer
security against fire. All this,
and further demands Of this
kind will be done away with entirely
after water works have been secured.
And IL must be understood that the
expense of the fire department will in
crease each year as the city increases
in size and population, so there is
really no telling where they will stop
at. One fire plug is worth as much in
eXtiDguishing fires as four of our pub
lie cisterns, and would cost nothing
like as much. Under q good system
of water works the rate of insurance
on property would be reduced to the
extent of $40, 600 annually. In Mont |
gOmery the rate of insurance was re-
duced One-third; and in Atlanta, one
half IL is fact well known to every
citiz5n Of the city that under our
present arrangements the house that is
caught on fire is rarely ever saved |
This is nothing against the fire de-
partment, for il is impossible to get
water IN time 10 save the building.
As matter contributing to the gen.
eral prosperity of the city this enter
prise should be encouraged. There is
not city of the size of this anywhere |
in this country but what has a COM
plete system OF water works.
AS to the amount of pipe laid down |
will state that the proposition en-
braces about seven miles Of pipe of
sufficient size to supply city with a
of 80, 600. All the pTinci- |
pal and many of the smaller streets
are reached by the survey. and in the
future additional pipes will be laid, as
public or private necessity may de- |
mand. 80
MINOR DISPATCHES.