The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1883-09-20
THE MOUND CITY
0norons work Of n Special Cons
mIttee.
The Runaway Fever Prevails In Epl'
demlc Form.
Texas Hero and the Modern Dude.

recently organ lied an expensive committed
consisting OF five members Of the house o.
delegates for the purpose of attempting tc
discover why it is that the spstem of water
works in use here, with daily capacity fol
throwing fifty millions OF gallons into this
main pipes. will ON thirty &c
thirty-tw million gallons. There are some
other puzzling problems connected with
these same water works that this commit
tee are periodically endeavoring to solve
with the aid of such light as they can bring
to their assistance. THEY desire to know
for instance, why 1t was, some time ago
that twenty-eight carloads OF coal on the
track at the works were rejected, for which
the contractor was to receive nine and
three-quarter cents per bushel. and imme-
diately afterwards hesuperintendent OF the
works went on the market and bought coal
at eighteen cents bushel, in spite of the
fact that the carloads OF coal'referred to had
been examined by
COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS
and pronounced good, merchantable coal.
They want to find out if they can, why the
city was threatened with water famine
last summer, when the pumping capacity
of the works was greater than the estimated
necessities of the people. It has. been
there is water works ring, and that only
certain contractors can supply the coal re-
auired for the use OF that particular part OF
the public service. There are some of the
citizens here who are uncharitable enough
to charge vsnally in this matter on the part
lofthe superintendent, bat as yet it is fair to
say that in this investigation this
charge has not been maintained, though
there is some evidence before that body of
/ inquirers into the principles OF hydraulics,
which might eau e unfavorabie suspicious
and differences to arise in the minds OF evil
disposed people. At any rate there has
| been a general stirring up OF affairs ut the
city waGer-W orks, the old engines have been
oyerhauled and repaired by competent me-
chanics, and the whole system of supply
put upon better basis than before. A
new engineis being constructed and placed
in position, and by the time the next SUM-
mer comes around it will be found that the
people Of the city will have all the water
they want to drink, at least, and perhaps
some 10 wash their soiled linen in, and
little to spare spare for . their nero daily daily
tical facts come to light during this inquiry,
which has not yet te,n completed, viii Ii
will probably have an influence upon the ad-
ministration of this branch of the munich
pal service.
THE MATTER OF wATERPHoNEs,
meters and volOCimeters has been eluclda-
ted, and from the light they have, the COM
mittee having this investigation in charge.
are lead to believe that certain, cheap and
efficient method can be adopted for the pur.
pose of ascertainIng the waste and loss of
water from the pipes. 1t is estimated that
more than halt the water pumped at the
works here, is wasted. Experts testify that
meters have been tried for two years at a
time and while the actual amount OF water
consumed by large manufacturing estab-
lshment, for instance, cannot be ascertained
nearer than ten per cent, perhaps, it is be-
lieyed for practical purposes that that's near
enough, since the variation from accuracy
is in favor of the consumer. One of the
best informed gentlemen in the country in
formed the committee that meters could be
supplied to the city for y$l3 each, which
would save millions of gallons OF waste
daily. He claimed that it was an imma-
terial fact, where an establishment was
wasting, say
$4,000 GALLONS OF WATER
per day, as are some of the manufacturing
places here, whether the meter employed in
Dictated 900 or 5000 gallons variation from
the correct amount or moi, so that the balance
was saved to the city. The cheapness of
these meters, he thought, was an induce
stated that 24O gallons of water per
day per head. was, in his opinion,
enough to supply the wants OF
any reasonable person for domestic
purposes. He had made an examination
In his own house and had instituted care.
full measurement, ana had found that he
was taking from the mains at least 1000
gallons per day. Alter that he had over
hauled leaking pipes. and out-of-the.way
water-cocks, and had succeeded in reducing
his demand upon the public service to the
minimum amount of 400 gallons per day,
without inconvenience to his family. This
was the testimony of Colonel Flad, one OF
the best informed gentlemen on this SUBJ
iect in the United States, and perhaps his
practical suggestions may be OF service to
other cities besides st. Louis. Some need.
ed and sweeping reforms will be instituted
here as the result OF this inquiry.
In regard TO
SENSATIONAL DOMESTIC MATTERS,
this city, as usual, seems to be taking the
lead There seems to be something mere,
IN the nature of an epidemic, for running
way from home, among the young ladies
If the place. To what untoward influences
Ibis Maynard tendency on the part OF some
members of the female population OF this
tity may be attributed will require more
profound student Of the human heart than
fpretend to be. The absent Mary Churchill
nas not yet been found, notwithstanding
the many rumors to that effect. Like the
cred in many parts OF the country at the
same moment of time. She is doubtless
with some lover with whom she has become
infatuated, aud her short romance
will soon be ended. IL is quite evident 10
people here that there is nothing whatever
in the rumors Of her presence in FL Paso,
Texas. Bertha Smith, another runaway,
also about the same age OF Mary Churchill,
still refuses 10 make her Whereabouts
known TO her distressed parents. These
misguided young women have turned
over page In LIES experience which they
will dou btless live TO heartily.to regret; "but
the tender grace OF day That 10 dead will
ne'er come back to them" Absolutely no
clues have yet been found as TO the move
ments OF either of them, Notwithstanding
the efforts of the detective police. Prcbs
bly, none will be fo1nd until such time as
the young ladies themselves choose 10 re-
veal their hiding places. At any rate. in
ali this wickedDess, we see a confirmation
Of the scriptures. and our belief is strength
sned that II was undoubtedly
i cannot help noticing that another disti1-
guished Texan has achieved q distinction
on his travels which many Of his friends
are not urObably aware o.. Recently the
New York Herald, published half q col
umn Of matter describing
Az IscTDKxT on THE hallway CARS,
on the line between COney Island and
New York city, IN which q chivalrous
young T,xsn slapped the face OF q Fifth
avenue dude because be would not give
up bis seat 10 q lady. This pleasant little
adventure has been sailing about the conn.,
try nov iOr.seveTzi weeks and has come IN
der my Observation atlesst dozen times
in as many leading papers The gentleman
concerned IN this little episode has mod
estly c0Dcesled bis idenfisy. but the writer
Of this letter deems II his outy - reveal bis
personality that be may claim h0n0rs due
MIN from the fair ser generally, and from
the lsdies % TeIss tn pariic1lsr, and CON-
maDd the homage y bis immediate female
ncqualniances- Ibe gentleman j. Colonel
J. j Tariey. oi Galveston. and be related
80 fr1rffarf 10 ne In fIfs city on Lis r.