Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-01-23
WISE PRECAUTIONS.
WHAT The TRUSTEES ARE DOING AND
WILL DO.
Levees and Their Protection-Proposed
Improvement of the Y-street
Levee.

The members of the Board of Trustees
yesterday made their regular examination
of the levees, to see how work is progress
ing in the care of the entertainments, and
what else is needed to be done.
On their return Mayor Gregory was seen
by a RECORD UNION reporter and was
asked how he found things. He replied
that the Board found everything all right
and that there IS no reason, in its opinion,
for any apprehension or fear as to the
strength Of the levees in case of a freshet.
The work heretofore ordered, it was found
was being carried out faithfully, and it was
of the ordinary precautionary character, to
see that the leyees were not neglected any
where.
How about Front-street work ?"
Gas to that, replied the Mayor, "we are
having work done on Front street from R
street south to Y, to prevent any possible
cutting, by slopiDg the face of the levee and
facing it with sacked dirt"
rs there any intention to fill any swsles
on that liner
There are none of any moment, bat
wherever there is any likelihood of any
high water coming upon the levee we have
provided plenty of sacks to be used, if
needed, TO prevent any ingress of water,
though there is not any such thing at all
feared. While the Payne break remains
open there is 20 danger of any rise to
bring the water up to where it was few
weeks ago on the levee.'
Where are the men working?'
"As stated, on the Front street line, be-
d = 10 ca t. H.
done so much better now while the waters
are comparatively low. We have had
work done right along, understand. Over
on the east levee we have had men con-
stantly watching for any possible gopher
holes or anything of that kind"
How about the Y-street levee? h
''That is the subject of thought now.
The Board thinks it ought to be raised from
Ninth street 10 Front, and action is con-
templated now
How about the levees below the city ?"
1.-THE Payne break makes a difference of
over three feet in the capacity of those levees
below and outside of the city limits to stand
rise. The Board, however, notwithstanding
there is no apparent danger from the levees
of thM district. because when the Payne
break occurred it made difference at once
of three feet below Y street, while above, or
here at the city front, the change was but
from eight to ten inches Immediately; not
withstanding this, say the Board is pro-
posing to have the Ystreet levee raised,
and very soon, too. The idea is to put
q sack levee On the outer edge of Y street
about four or FIVE feet high and Of the
same thickness, from Front street eastward
Then, when this cross levee is permanently
raised, to fill in 10 the sacked earth. Thus
the roadway will not be interfered with,
and the levee viii be finally widened and
broadened.'
Does the Board propose to use any
broken granite anywhere
'Yes, on the east and north levee, where
the American river strikes the levee at
high-water, we propose to put several hun
dred carloads Of broken granite, and the
railroad people will be seen about the
transportation early to day."
What revenue has the Board for levee
work, if necess arv, beyond providing for
the cost of work now being doneW
ample for the present, but not sufficient
to do thorough, permanent work and carry
out the systematic scheme of the Board.
But the disposition of the Board is to spare
no expense to make the levees secure be-
yond all question. There will be no hold
ing back If it is necessary to pledge the
credit of the city for 100000, or for any
any other sum, it will be done. The Board
is not going TO hesitate in using money to
do whatever is needed. The city is safe,
and will be kept so. Her levees are in
good condition, but wear and tear here and
there must be replaced every year, and as
said, some raising must be done"