The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-08-14
THE TESTS.
The Water Works and the
work accomplished.
Satisfaction not General on
the Public Display.


city council, for public display and test
of the new water works. In accordance
with this programme, arrangements were
perfected for display that was intended
| to test the new machinery in very practi-
| cable manner. The test was commenced
this morning and cannot be said to be
| entirely satisfactory, as it lacked in many
important particulars authentic figures
| from which conclusions can be deduced.
| The several public tests included the throw
| ing of streams of water along the streets
and into the air. None of these tests were
measured, and the distance thrown was
clearly a matter of guess work. Many
complaints were heard on the street that
the tests were simply display, without any
official figures as to the work actually ac
complished from which conclusions can be
drawn. 1t was an
OPEN SECRET
on the streets to day that the tests were not
as satisfactory to the average citizen as was
the case several years ago, when the old
water works were first completed, and pro
nounced ready for use. Several citizens
stated that they considered it very strange
conduct for a public test of the above
character to be made without some mesure-
meuts being taken of the distance the
different streams were thrown. The same
parties were pronounced in their disapprov-
al of the acceptance of the new machinery
Ia3 fhA ri
pacity, and work actually accomplished of
the new Holly engine. Some of the alder
men were also of the same opinion and
did not attempt TO conceal the fact that
they were not at all satisfied with the so
called tests of the new works which occur
red during the morning.
A DELAY.
The tests, so called, did not commence
this morning until after II o'clock, although
the fire department was ready some time
before that hour. The delay was occasion
by some part of the new machinery not
working to the satisfaction of those in at
tendance at the works. The delay caused
several of the aldermen who were located
on Second avenue awaiting developments
to visit the water works and their recep-
ton there was not of character to demon
strate that they were heartily welcomed.
The aldermanic delegation consisted of
Mayor Carse, Alderman Barber, Lundy,
Gray, Henry, Mott, Larkin and Warnock.
In addition to these there were Alderman
Hoyt, of Davenport, and representative |
of the city government of Joliet. Only |
two of the party, Mayor Carse and Mr.. |
Barber were invited in the building while |
the remaining city fathers were allowed to |
remain on the outside. This naturally |
caused some little feeling among the al |
dermen, and may result in some future
trouble.
THE TESTS
The first test was made at IL 10 o'clock |
and consisted of throwing six streams at |
the same time from as many hydrants 10
Gated block apart on Second avenue.
The MOBILES used were one inch in diane
ter. The streams did not cover greater
distance than 1875 feet, although the dis
lance is guess work, as no measurements
were taken in any instance. The second
test was double stream from each of the
six MIGRANTS. This was more satisfactory
rs the volume of water was greater, and
the distance covered more in keeping with
what was generally anticipated. The test
was not measured, and it becomes impossi
BILE to locate the extreme limit of water
thrown, because it covered the area cover
ed by the first test.
The third test occurred on the corner of
Nineteenth street and Second avenue, and
consisted in throwing stream through a
II inch nozzle, as supplied by two streams
joined by a seamless coupling. The stream
was thrown up to the top of the Harper
house but was not considered of sufficient
force to perform effective work in case of
a fire. These three tests terminated the
work performed during the morning, and
was followed by other tests later in the
afternoon.
THE FIRST TEST
this afternoon was throwing of water
through 1000 feet of hose and II inch
nozzel, 1876 feet was the furtherest point
reached. Next came the test from
the main at the corner of Twentieth street
and Third avenue. Water was thrown
from stand pipe through a two inch
ro11al fQ5 foot with q Stronu wind e0ainst |