St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-11-19

WOrthington pumps had broken down
twice. The first break was in June,
1890, after the pumps had been virtually
accepted by the city, but while they
were still on a years trial. The ring IN
the plunger broke that time because OF
carelessness in putting up the pumps.
The pump was idle at that time four
weeks. 1t was the other pump that
broke down a few weeks ago, and
started this investigation.
Under fire OF questions from Aid.
Hunter, Mcconnell said that the only
point where good pressure could not be
obtained was at the summit of Ridge
wood. by Capt. Snider's. If all the
hydraulic elevators in the city were cut
off, Mcconnell said. there would be good
pressure at that point. If trial of that
plan should fail, he would put in
standpipe at that point, with supple
mentary pumping station.
When the pumps have been broken
down they were running at less than
the guaranteed pressure, while they had
been running at other times at press
ure of ninety pounds.
Numerals supervisor of the water works
would you say that these WOrlhington
pumps come up TO the standard called for by
the contract?
McConnell-To the best Of my knowledge
and belief, and judging from the tests made
by the engineers should say that they are
fully up TO the requirements.
Mcconnell went on to say that but one
of the pumps has been running at a
time. With the new big main COM
Dleted, both can be run at one time.
There bad always been trouble in get
ting water to Mount Curve and Ridge
wood. A few years ago, before the
WorthingtOns were put in. the Jumbo
couldn't turn wheel and battery of
boilers costing $50, 600 had to be put in
to help them out.
One of these Worthington pumps. Nc
COnnell said. would pump 1900. 600 gal
Ions day. The city uses from I3.OOO,-
600 to 14.000.00O gallons per day in win
ter and 25,000,000 to 100000 in sum
mer.
Huuter-What we want to get at is are you
as supervisor or the water works perfectly
satisfied that these Worthington pumps are
all that was ever expected of them. and all
that is required for piece OF mechanism:
McConnell-Yes. am satisfied that they
are right in every respect.
Bradish brought out the fact that both
Worthington pnmps have never been
disabled at one time. except for two or
three days since this late break. A
bolt in one of the pumps became loose
then.
Chairman Rollins began to 60 into the
question OF cost of pumping at the East,
West and North side stations.
1T was not question of cost, Mr..
Chairman" said Mcconnell. ''that
caused US to go up the river. 1t was
the feeling of the people"
The committee became friSky. iovial,
joyous at this point. Mcconnell offered
to illustrate back pressure by hitting
Bradish in the nose. Bradish ques-
toned Chairman Rollins on the cost of
securing an election as alderman in
Minneapolis. Rinker made crack at
the Tribune.
Mcconnell brought in some figures
on pressure tests. The figures showed
that, with one WOrthingtOn pump run
ming at seventy-ive pounds pressure.
good pressure can be obtained at every
point in the city, except at Mt. Curve.
Hunter tried to make point on the fact
that pressure sufficient to fight big fires
could not be obtained except by the use
of fire engines. But all cities have to
depend upon their fire engines. The
pumping pressure in Chicago is only
forty-fye pounds.
Mcconnell returned to hydraulic ele-
vators. There was about thirty of them
in the city, and all have 4-inch OPEN
ings. Through these elevators and
other ways unmentioned, Mcconnell
said there was more water wasted in
Minneapolis than in any city in the
world.
In answer to Rollins. Mcconnell gave
the cost of the new 36-inch main as
$1O2, 600, from Twentieth avenue north
to Fifth avenue south. North of
Twentieth avenue the main did not
cost so much, as there were not so many
connections TO make.
McCOnnell's evidence was ended by
his again declaring that. with relief suf-
fcient to take care Of Mt. Carve, Min