The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1885-05-11
THE QUESTION OF SEWERAGE IN
A NEW LIGHT.
Mr.. Sootts Suggestions. With the
Estimate of Cost and other
Details.

population of the city Of San Antonio.
The next and most important move is
sewers; or, In other words, the santa
ton of San Antonio. This ia vital
point. The elllcloncy-or delicienoy-of
carrying out the sanitary laws will add
to or detract from the wealth Of the city.
A great deal has been written on this
important subject; much money has
been spent in devising the best mode Of
placing san Antonio in sanitary con-
dition, and to-day we are MS far from
satisfactory definition ms we were two
years ago. Only one point is gained. A
large bulk OF the people of San Antonio
have come to the conclusion that some
thing must be done in this direction,
but, unfortunately, they are as far di-
vided as tho East is from the West on
the plan and means to be used in its ac-
complishment.
BY way of Introduction, might say:
| The readers Of the LiGrr are well aware
| that have always been nm ardent advo-
cate for sewers. And why? Because
until lately | was not acquainted with
any other plan.
Sewers, where surface drainage can
not be had to carry of storm water and
waste water from the houses, are n ne
cessity, admit; but to carry of the ex-
crement from the oesspools is grand
mistake-proved to be so in Glasgow
and Manchester, England After spend
| ing millions OF pounds sterling. with all
the ingenuity and talent of the most
practical engineers that could be had,
| the sewers failed of tSese requirements,
and were condemned. 1t Is unnecessary
| to enumerate the many plans that were
| devised and carried out, and some of
| them ut an enormous cost and by the
best engineering skill. Like the sewers.
after a fair trial, they were doomed and
destroyed In the city of Manchester.
And not until Il humble workman, who
could neither boast of G. T.. to his name
or collegiate education, solved the
problem-suggested plans. They were
laid before the City Council, adopted
and maturod, and after eight years ex-
perienoe, stand to-day without n rival, a
monument OF perfection to the name OF
this humble protector.
aNNN w AhlAN bAAA Alll0 pau ~ II HOl so
costly ms many would suppose water
required, no vaults needed, and can be
placed within three feet OF your bed
room window without giving oilense to
the oliactory organs Of the most fastidi-
Gus. The modus operandi is this: A
small closet, say four or five feet square,
above ground, can be built of wood.
brick, stone or concrete. the height oil
the seat Is inches. should be rat proof
the seat and back Is automaton, In one
corner is an ash box (a receptacle for the
ashes from your stove or fire PLACED, be-
low the seat Is n round iron kettle Is
inches high and Is inches In diameter.
an opening OF this size from the back OF
side, ms most convenient, to take out and
replace the kettle about once n week or
oltener If necessary. The object of the
ashes Is when rising from the seat the
back part will come forward and strike a
pin and siit small particle of ashes into
the kettle and close the lid at the same
time. The cost of this win not exceed
$50 or $50, with bricks and cement, OF
concrete, and this will last a life time
If made Of wood, about half that amount
Including fixtures. Now, so far, this has
not cost the city one cent except the
sanitary Inspector. At the present time
we have II ,42G heads Of families. accord.
] lux w llEull " IhuIlllls CNN TWO
thirds Of this amount live inside the first
and second fire limits. This would be
all that would be necessary fol
the present, twO-thirds of II ,l2G
without fractions would be 20 10. or say
1000 closets, five wagons with 20 kettle
each 0he number used in each wagon
In Manchester), four loads per day, five
wagons, 81 per day, each week of six
days, or s2i per week; say 81 per day
each man and team, would be $40 pei
day; two men to empty kettles, wash
and disinlect them. say 81 80 each adj
ded Is SOB cost per day to the city; 1906
kettles and 20 extra ones for each wagon
would make Sll00, at 81 each, sig. 400
one man with team, pillow and scraper tc
trench the land and bury the sewage and
plant an orchard of young trees, or fol
gardens, etc, until some one would see
the utility OF IL, and buy it from the
city. which in time would pay the cost
of taking il for the expense of hauling
which would be good investment fol
anyone who had land in the neighbor.
hood of San Antonio. But in the mean.
time suppose the city pay for that, say
man, team, pillow and scraper, 81 per
day. | would suggest for the present
not TO add more expense than necessary
until we have better times. Those who
/ hAfN Nv NAAlNA AhlNNNltlll nluft 10 use
same kettles until they could add nm.
other kettle for urinal purposes. and
then our system would be complete, and
clean, healthy city. and no debt hang.
ing over our head. II is the general talk
by every person that have met with
that Manchester Is the model clean city
Now we must sum up the total cost fol
one year. There would be no difficulty
in hiring teams and men at the afore.
mentioned prices. Remember this does
not interiese In any way with the pres.
ent system OF scavenger carts: Five
teams, at 81 per day, hauling kettles. 3lg
days. S6210; two men. cleaners, at 81 80
per day, 3l2 days; S036; one man, team
pillow, scraper at 81 per day, 3l2 dayE
Sl2iS; 400 galvanized iron kettles will
covers to tit tight, at 81, SlG,IOO, good
for ten years, SlGi0; disinfectants and
sundrles, 500; total for one year, $40. IGi
II must be plain to any practical man
that the prices have allowed, are more
than Is necessary. We're the city to in.
vest the money and purchase teams and
hire drivers, il would cost one-thirl less
= For the satisfaction of the public
VIII say this In no wild talk, this Is bust
ness we have gentleman OF un,
doubted yeraoity and a good machanlt
ana property owner in San Antonio
VINO lived 20 years In the City Of Man.
chester, England, as an extensiv,
builder and contractor, and was con
tractor for some of said closets, and h,
holds and has in his possession detailed
drawings and Specifications of the same
and Is well posted In every detail, ant
with all these varied plans for 20 years
and take 1t upon myself TO say that, |
/ the City Council wish he will cOnstrllo