Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-02-08


THEREBY INCREasED-PRACTICAL sUGG ESTIONS-
THE Us. OF REDUCERs RECOMMENDED.
Capt. s. l. Phelps, late Commissioner OF the
District Of Columbia, in an interview with q STAR
reporter to-day, expressed himself respecting the
water famine more fully than on a previous occa.
sion. saying: GAS have been quoted In The
STAR touching the water question in a form not
conveying just impression, think 1t perhaps
advisable to attempt more explicit statement,
reS0rted to while the conduit is being extended,
and until the connections with the new reservoir
10 De made north OF Boundary are completed"
CAUSE OF THE SCARCITY.
Primarily our present lack OF water upon the
high grounds Is due to the manner in which the
mains from the distributing reservoir have been
laid Instead of a separate and wholly indepen-
dent supply for the high and for the low grounds,
all the mains are connected in one common circu-
latl0n, as II in ignorance OF law of nature itself
and OF a human ira Ii no less imperative In its
operation Water VIII run of to the lowest levels
and A. will let water flow In his pipes in prefer
or to incomnoding himself in the least, in order
that b., who Is above him, may have water. Any
one familiar with such subjects will recognize the
need for independent mains: but mains are not so
laid"
R.porter."Was there reason for laying them
''Oh! my friend" the Captain answered, show
can tell only know that some things march in
ways as inscrutable are those OF Providence. 1t
THE WASTE OF WATER
In Washington Is about us great by night as by
day, as shown by the slight variations in pressure
upon the NUNS This tells the tale OF thousands
OF open faucets and leaky pipes. The capacity Of
the gr' at mains is largely exhausted from the
united How or these myr1adS OF small openings,
and. where these occur in water closets within
houses, there IS an ayenglng Nemesis at hand
foul air flowing upwards into the rooms. Let those
who Indulge in this source OF wicked waste, at the
cost OF the IT fellow water rent payers, stuly
little into the natural laws governing In such
cases. Applying what has been sal about the
Waste at Light to the higher portions Of Capitol
Hill II will be seen that the result is to prevent
any increase or pressure during those hours when
harity any water is bal lg used for human wants,
and that none can be relied upon to send up to
hours, be stored for use 10y day The same effect
cuts of the usefulness In 4 large degree of
THE STAND PIPE
for all the northwest elevated section. The sup
ply pipe leading to the pump, under the most
favorable circumstances, would not carry a suffi-
Gent quantity for the pumping capacity. As Is,
that main Is not half filled While there ia no pres.
sure and no sufficient flow.
me result Is the pumps have very little work to
do, the supply pipe is not filled, and, except for
some ~ minutes about SIX O'Clock in the morning
no water reaches the first chamber floor In any but
to the saam1 PIPE In the
some oOO water connections, In premises supplied
from The stand pipe. were found defective, out of
be closed until repaired. Let any one figure up the
How through those 500 openings, and. to tho result
add for all the UNDECIDED sources OF outrageous
waste 1t would serve to give a wholesome view
OF what 1t means to pump water TO supply a
people who are not made to pay for it as they pay
Tor other necessities of life. Capt Hoxe tells US
tnat, under pressure CT 20 pounds 1900 gallons of
water Will flow In day through "a inch aper-
ture. WHIT Is the cost then OF those 500 openings
"'The stand pipe holds when full 2s5. 900 gallons.
which is more than 100 gallons to every house at
tached to 1t, and. while that amount Is being
drawn Off the pumps are adding to it. Whether
the pipe is ever tul now may be doubted: but it is
certain that II this be the case should be
taken to get water enough to the pumps between
nlied. It must be quite evident that were the
tank full to start with, and the water used In sea-
son. III would meet most OF our requirements. The
moment freeze sets In water never rises above
the ground floor in the higher premises because
then, In thousand houses, every spigot is open to
prevent freezing, that besides being victim, to
those below Us, We become victims second time
and TO the detestable plumbing work done FOR the
nanst part in Washington. Thus, we are ground
literally between the upper and lower STORIES the
indifference OF those en- the low grounds to ali the
wants OF those higher up and the still greater
what the others have spared to U.s. rather than re-
pair and improve the water works within their
homes"
RELIEF TO BE GOT BY STOPPING THE WICKED WASTE.
ITO stop wicked waste" added the Captain, sis
difficult but it can be measurably effected by the
employment OF a few reliable men whose duty 1t
should be to test the flow in the connecting pipes
of houses by touch Va Key upon the stop cocks.
When II Is discovered that The now 10 tnuOus,
particularly at night and for the second TINA
after due warning the first detection, the water
should be then and there summarily shut or, ana
not restored until the fine provided By law has
Deen paid. This WOult bring some persons, at
least, TO sense of right RedHcers should be put
into all street connections with the houses upon
dH TSe all 1e% Is feet
Wouli be to deprive people in such houses of part
OF tnei: present control over the water supply of
bly, situated 1t would refuge the flow in the pipes
In favorably situated houses. and the
s consequent t,sm amount of water passing
enjoyment Of water would not be cut on, but
would still have it in all needed quantity, and
would be taken In drawing baths; but then resi-.
dents on the higher Ia nds might sometimes enjoy
the unwonted sensation OF a bath in their own
the complete satisfaction of some OF the luxurious
among us, those whose wants are generally needed
with nIsn willing y, ears but after all they might be
could be easily and cheaply put In, and as easily
removed when the new water works shall have
ended all need for their continuance Partially
closing the street stop-cock, where the main is
tapped, would answer The same purpose II it was
made serious onense to medde with them when
once regulated by the proper authority But a
reducer upon every house. without
regard TO whom the owner may be, would be GER
tain In its operation and leave no ground for for
9etfulneSS about StOp-cockS. In PHILADELPHIA the
inlet pipes In use are rarely anything like as large
as those common here. However, without perrna-
nent change In this respect, ours can be tempo
rarily reduced to the size common in that CITY
with the greatest benefit to those who now suffer
from water famine"
SIMPLE LEGISLATION NEEDED.
"This relief must be brought about by legisla-
ton, which may be very simple; tor the difIi-
cuties that would meet our Commissioners. II
attempting II, wonld be great-posstbly insuper.
able. The public buildings should be subject to
the reduction, at least at night. by partially turn
Ing the stopcOckS on all OF their connections with
the mains, between the hours of four pm and
eight am The necessity for this measure is great
now, while the evil Is a rapidly growing one.
large number OF new houses are to be erected this
season. and each Will add to the Ills we now have
while 1t cannot be expected that the new water
works will be in operation for near three years to
come. The SANITARY conditions arising from the
present defective and Oscilating supply In many
house pipes Is a subject which might be enlarged
upon with great propriety. but shall content
myself with this mere reference that side OF the
picture"
The. Washington and Chesapeake
Railroad.
PROSPECT OF ITS COMPLETION By JULY lsT NEXT
This company which Is developing the project
OF railroad, connecting this city with point on
the Chesapeake bay, hope 10 be able to run trains