The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-04-26
COMMITTEES AT WORK.
The Sewer Committee on Right of way and
far Reaching for Water to Fill Flush
Tanks-The Water Company to Be
Interviewed on the Situation.

The sewer committee meeting last even
ing at council chamber, was attended by
members Buckridge, Martin and Carson
who were assisted by City Clerk McNair
and Mr.. Sullivan, of Sullivan & Steinmets,
sewer contractors. It appeared that there
yet remains about three miles of sewer
pipe to put down, and that right of way
has been secured except through ten tracts.
The committee is having some trouble in
getting this feature of it settled and the
list was examined last night and the work
proportioned out to the members. Some
of the fellows who have property in the
way want more for damage than members
| of the committee think is due 1t is
| thought in case there are no better terms
made that they will force their way
| through by means of the law or the eng1-
neer may be able to go around the property
| through which admittance has been re-
fused.
Reaching the flush tank question the
matter of how far it would be a good in
vestment to conduct water for flushing
purposes was considered. The city en-
| glneer reported that the sewer system and
all of it not supplied with water for flush
ing purposes would be of no benefit and
the complaints in the hot season would be
numerous. On the Mosely avenue main
north of Oak street the water for the flush
tanks in places would have to be conducted
two thousand feet, which at 10 cents per
foot would cost considerable Mosely
avenue south of Harry was also far away
from water and the same problem present
ed for that section. To flush by hand
OF lar 10
ton S54 annually to fill the flush
tank once per day. This plan also had
always been unsatisfactory wherever tried
for those employed to do the work would
often slight it. AS would be seen also it
would be quite expensive. He suggested
that the committee confer with the water
company on the question of extending
mains to North and South Mosley, which
if extension is made would solve the prob
lem. He also recalled that the water COM
pany could not be compelled to extend the
mains to any district until one customer
for each hundred feet Of main had been
secured. In the sections where mains
were needed for flushing he doubted very
much if that number of consumers could
be found, as the residents there had other
water facilities. 1t was absolutely neceS-
sary, however, to have water for the flush
tanks and it must be secured in some way. |
On motion of Martin the committee de |
cided to request the water committee !
to negotiate with the water company
and see what terms could be secured. Car
son thought probably more fire plugs |
could be taken OR the water company in |
some way could be induced to extend the |
mains.
In order to give complete satisfaction the |
head of every lateral should be supplied |
with flush tank, according to the engineer. |
Formerly it was intended to make such an |
arrangement, but when the cost of con-
the tanks and patent ciphon
were found to be s63 it was thought best |
to cut the number from two hundred and |
to about one hundred and |
eighty. Of these ordered only about
twelve have been constructed and are Civ
ing service. Mr.. Sullivan says the tanks
should have been put in as the latterals
were completed, but until recently no ac-
ton was taken about the tanks. The con-
slant tapping of the mains by residents, he
says, in the absence of flush tanks has re-
suited in stopping the mains UP in many
places which will create no little trouble,
not only to contractors, but to some of the
residents, who will suffer from sewage
in mains. He thinks before the hot season
arrives all the tanks ordered will be con-
structed and the mains stopped up so there
will be as little inconvenience as possible.
The committee on fire and water, con-
sisting of Mckee, johnson and Coffin, held
a meeting yesterday and looked over some
business in their line. Auditing bills took
up most of the time.