The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1880-06-20
DRAINING MEMPHIS.
over Twenty Miles OF Sewerage Com.
pletcd Since March-An Area of
Nearly Five Thousand
Acres TO be Drained.

Memphis, June l9,-The Appeal to.mor-
row will publish six-column article giving
full history Of the sanitary work performed
in Memphis since the closing of the epidemic
of last year. Accompanying the statement is
beautiful map showing the line of sewers
that have been made. A brief synopsis OF
the article is embodied in the following:
"This work embraces up to date tho compile
ton of twenty and half miles
of sewerage and the laying of thirty
miles OF drain tiles. The latter is, no doubt,
the most important part of the work, since
they drain the earth of impurities and secure
to us immunity from the offensive odors that
formerly burdenod and tainted the mir we
breathed, and saves us from the soil satura-
ton which tainted the water W. drink. This
system, known by the n.me of Warning.
after the consulting engineer Of the national
board of health, was much debated by the
national commission of November, 1879.
The sanitarisns who comprised that body
were not willing TO lend themselves to or
indorse plans that had never been tried
on scale such Us would meet the demands
of so large population as that of Memphis
without the most careful examination. They
therefore closely scanned and scrutinzed the
figures and propositions of Colonel Warning,
and after DR.. Folsom, of the Massachusetts
board Of health, had suggested an increase of
the flush tanks, the most valuable part Of the
system after the drain tiles it was indorsed
by the commission ana recommended by the
taxing district government Ms one entirely
feasible AS well on the score of econo.ny as
of health. Months passed between
the time of tho adjournment OF the
commission and the commencement of the
work, owing to frequent debates upon the
subject in and out of the papers, and the
delay incident TO the meeting of the legisla-
ture, The first spadeful Of earth was not
thrown until March, since which time the
work has been prosecuted with rare vigor,
with results above stated. Tho system OF
sewerage is known 10 tho engineer as surface
or shallow system. BY it the pipes ARE laid
in lines that as near MS possible follow the
natural drainage of the land. The system i.
completed. 1t will be about thirty five miles
in length, and will be kept
in perfect order, rs results SC
far prove, by 1850 flush tanks in connection
WITH the sewer pipe There has so FIR been
laid 10 miles of drain or subsoil pipe When
completed, there will be probably As miles,
from 2 to inches in diameter, draining
an area Of nearly 5000 acres. The system Is
radically and widely different from that OF
any aud all other cities in this country or
Europe, in this: That no rain water is ad,
mitted to the sewer-pipes nothing but
closet or kitchen waste water, the latter find
ing its way by a slop stone basin All the
house connections, closets and ar-escape,
are of the most approved kinds, every care
being taken to prevent the escape
Of foul gases. Thus far the system
works most satisfactorily, and quite up
to the predi tons OF its protector, and it |,
believed it will continue to do 80. 1t can be
enlarged at any place and in any direction
by simply adding other outflow main lines
The cost so far, including from three to five
miles of pipe on hand and u full outfit Of
tools, incidents and contingencies, is about
$lS8,000 or up to the lat of July $3.50, 900
The cost Of the whole system, when com
pleted, will be about S250,000. We have
good reason for b, lieving that the work vii
be effective.