Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-10
THE WATER PROBLEM
A Lively Discussion on Filtration
Takes Place in Allegheny.
BIDDING ALSO FOR PIYTsBURG.
Filter Men Not Allowed to Present Their
Claims at the Meeting.
oouscIIMEs In DEEP coGIrATIOs.

Several filter men occupied the lobby in
City Clerk Whites room over in Allegheny
last evening, and evidently itchsd for
a chance to expatiate upon their
respective apparatuses for the purif-
cation Of the Allegheny brand of
Adams ale. For two solid hours the
gentlemen Of the Water COMMITTEES debated
the expediency OF getting move on in the
matter of taking steps for the adoption of
some improvement. Finally, on the ques-
tion of vital interest, Mr.. Henrick's motion
to instruct the City Controller to advertise
for plans and specifications for the filtration
Of water. the negative votes were SO decisive
that the filter men jammed their occipitaI
coverings well down upon their ears and
strobe homeward.
Mr.. ]. e. McCrickart, Secretary of the
Pittsburg Company, was present at the
meeting. He represented the company
which recently offered to supply the city of
Allegheny with water at the yearly figure
of $4,000. In the course of conversation
Mr.. McCrickart intimated that a PROPOSE
tion of the same general import asthat made
to Allegheny Councils would be shortly
laid before Pittsburg Councils. He said:
FIGURING ON PITTsBURG.
"Our idea in the fixing of the quotation
OF price to Allegheny City was that we
would have to furnish about 20, 900, 900 gal
Ions Of water per diem. Pittsburg con-
sumes upward of $4,000, 900 gallons every
day, and I presume that our price
for the service will be graduated
accordingly. Z The figure is likely
to run from $4,000 to 500, 900.
Oh, yes. Our company will furnish bonds
if required. Although we have no pure
water plant in operation as yet, it will not
be long before public and adequate test
will be made of our apparatus. We claim
that Pittsburg is even more in need of some
such device conducting to pure water sup
ply than Allegheny. Our system is prac-
tical, and all we want is an opportunity to
demonstrate its usefulness" At the COM
mittee meeting, on motion Of Mr.. Cochran,
the Superintendent of the water works was
instructed to prepare specifications for two
new duplex engines tor the Troy Hill
pumping station, the Controller to advertise
for proposals.
ROUTINE BUSINESS TRANSACTED.
The report of the subcommittee on pure
water supply, submitted at the last meeting,
was called up and discussed for an hour and
a half. Mr.. Cochran advocated going to
Nine-Mile Island for the water supply, and
Messrs. Stayton and Henricks said that the
distance was immaterial SO long as q filter
system was made use of for the publication
of the water. Mr.. Cochran said he didn't
care "shucks" for analytical reports, and q
lively argument ensued between himself
and Mr. Stayton. Mr.. Cochran asserted
that the workhouse people had bought the
only available place for the reservoir at
Nine-Mile Island, but Mr.. Henricks said it
was a syndicate. Superintendent Arm
strong said the city could condemn land
outside of the city limits for water works
site.
After voting down by noes and ayes a
motion to instruct the City Controller to
advertise for bids on filter systems, the
committee adjourned.