, 1880-07-18

NE: SUNDAY, JULY Is,
+ water-the duty Of increasing the water-sup-
ply by regular additions cannot Do asolaea.
| In 1867, only thirteen years ago. tne hlst
| lake tunnel, with its capacity OF 5o,ooo'ooo
gallons per day, was completed; now that
| tunnel is not more than equal to hal1 the
supply that will be needed IN 1881. Even tne
| additional tunnel was not constructed oay
before its necessity was obvious; anu I'VE
years hence, say in 1855. tho necessary OF all
other tunnel from: the lake will propa-
bly, present itself so strongly that it will have
to be supplied. In the meantime, with a laSe
supply equal to double the average daily con
sumption, it is the duty Of the city to provide
for the best and most economical dlstrloa-
ton to meet the public wants.
| The situation of the present pumping
works and the fact that the pressure is weak
| est at tile very point where 1t should Dc
strongest prove that what Is wanted now
| and what will be wanted hereafter, is an att
ditional pumping establishment on the east
or west bank Of the South Branch south OF
| or near jackson street. Much OF the 1orce
now given by tie machinery at the two ex-
tremes Of service is lost by friction through
the long distances from the stand-pipos III
| the northeast and southwest sections OF the
city. The loss Of TINT power at or near the
centre Of the city is a.waste when IS more
criminal, because it takes place Just where the
greatest power is needed. Now, If an addl-
| tional pumping establishment we're provided
midway between the present pumps the de-
mand on the present machinery would be
t largely reduced, the present serious loss OF
| power BY friction would be obviated, and each
Of the present establishments could supply
! as much water as it does now, at less cost
than is at present required. The addition OF
another pumping with equal capacity
to that on the North Side and located mid
way between the present establishments
| would secure to the central part OF Chicago
supply of water where there is more occa-
sion for it, and by reducing the strain on the
other works and saving the loss of force
now caused by the friction through the long
mains, with their countless turns and angles,
would give to the general distribution OF
water force nearly equal in all parts Of the
extended city, and sufficient, with the exist
ing works, to exhaust all the water that can
be supplied by the existing tunnels.
The addition Of other engines to those now
in use at the West Side Works may be neces-
sary in time, and should be made, but their adj
dtion at this time will not overcome the great,
pressing necessity, and that's, other pumping
works in the centre Of the city. To increase
the power at the extremes Of the city is mere
ly to increase the waste, increase the cost,
and not add anything of consequence to the
supply. The present evil Of having no pump
at the centre will continue, 10 matter what
additions may be made at the extrenlties
The city some eight years ago made con-
tract with the Government by which the
site of the old Bridewell was exchanged for
the site and ruins of the old Post-Ofice and
Custom-House. That exchange was made
because the city asked it, so that Public
Library building might be erected on the
site Of the ost-Ohice, while the Bridewell
lot would better suit the Government as a
site for Government warehouse. AS the
city i'll some way was deprived Of ever using
the lot obtained from the Government for a
library, and that lot has been ever since
used for theatre, and as the Government
is in no need Of site for a ware
house, it might perhaps be as we'll
for Chicago to ask Congress to take back the
property. If this can be done, the site Of the
old Bridewell would suit admirably is a
place OIL which to erect the central Water
Works. 1t may be that Congress will be un-
willing to do any more swapping, particular
II as to do so would deprive the Board Of
Education OF Chicago of the opportunity of
running theatre as part Of the public-school
system; but it may be willing to sell the lot,
which the Government does not need, to the
city as site for additional Water-works. In
that case, should that lot upon examination
prove to be suitable and satisfactory one
for the Water-Works, then the city might at
once take active steps In the matter.
The City Council Should, at as early a date
as practicable, determine upon the policy that
is to be adopted. It should decide now that
the best interests Of the city require an adj
ditional pumping establishment near the
centre Of the city and within reasonable dis
tance OF the line of the tunnel. and should
then direct the propersurveys as to the selec-
ton Of q site, and the preparation Of plans
and estimates. It will take probably two
years to complete the establishment and put
it in working order, and by that time it will
have become an imperious necessity. The
decision Of this matter cannot be made too
soon. An abundant supply Of water is
essential to the health Of the city, and the
Council should never by delay suffer the
supply to become either deficient OF pre-
carious.
The water revenues are cheerfully paid by
the people. This increase in the operations
of the department can be paid for out Of the
surplus earnings of the water service without
impairing the extension Of that service. The
Council can do no wiser act than to settle
tlis question promptly.
-WAA-An-E-R
JOHN BULLS VIEW OF TIE UNITED
STATES.
tits not always pleasant to see ourselves rs
others see lis; but there is notable excep-
tion to the rule in an article recently printed
in the London Times. It is a matter of very
unpleasant notoriety, and in times past it has
occasioned much hard feeling between the |