Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-07-01
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TO BE NOVEL
Council Authorizes the Board to fxsnd $4,000 on
New Location Up the RiSsr-ROu-
tine Business Transacted.

Alta quarter OF nine last night the
ordinance authorizing the City Water
Board TO proceed with the removal OF
the pumping station to point north Of
the city limits, came up in the Second
Branch of Council, and was read first
time. On the second reading Mr.. John
Hall, of the Board, was called upon,
and made short statement, saying the
expense was to be entirely betrayed out
OF the revenues of the works. He said
money expended upon the old pumping
station--and $4,000 would be re-
ouired-would be money wasted. The
new pumps were ponderous affairs,
weighing 600 tons and pumping Is, 00O.-
900 gallons daily, and it would be but q
question of time when the operation Of
such gigantic masses of metal would be
Objectionable to the residents OF the
neighborhood about the foot of Eighth
street, and there would be clamor for
removal, which would cost
many times what it would at
present As to the liquidation
Of the debt, Re said with the economies
in operation at the new site, 1t was the
opinion of the Board that the whole
debt could be liquidated by the depart
ment in about seven years. The Board,
he said, had looked over the entire field
and was fully satisfied the proposition
was an excellent one for the city, and
that it should be prosecuted forthwith.
The old reservoir and old pumping sta
ton would be abandoned, or only used
in times of very great emergency.
Mr.. Bailey wanted to know what ef-
feet the increased cost would have up
on water rents. He wanted to see the
works removed and the water supply
improved, but he wanted, at the same
time, to see what the effect was going
to be on water consumers.
In reply Mr.. Hall said there would be
no increase in water rents. They would
remain as at present. The Board could
not figure a time-periOd exactly, be-
cause many old pipes were expected to
break, under the high pressure, and
many extensions Of mains were in con-
temptation. The Board was certain,
however. of its ability to take care OF
the financial end.
Mr.. O'Leary said at the new site coal
would be two cents. bushel cheaper,
and not as much would be required to
move the new machinery as is required
to run the old. The change would be
a big advantage for the city.
r.. De- q q
advantage and great improvement,
but at the same time he thought there
should be limit as to the amount OF
money and the time required for Its pay
ment. Council could not fix those lin
it's, through ignorance Of the facts, and
the Board had failed to do so. He said
he was not fighting the matter, but he
thought, in justice to the citizens, there
should be something more definite.
Mr.. Brock offered an amendment re-
stricting the Board to total outlay Of
500, 900. He said he had consulted
with the members of the Board, and
while they could not say definitely that
sum would be sufficient, they were still
willing to see the amendment goin.
Mr.. Hall said the Board would have
close estimates made, and in case the
500, 900 would not cover the outlay the
work would not be undertaken. 1t
would either be dropped, or they would
again come to this Council tor further
authority.
Mr.. Brock said his point was, not to
give the Board unlimited authority. IL
the Board would say it would take
- o. ha
it, but he did not want to give the
Board unlimited power.
Mr.. Bailey said he stood just where
Mr.. Brock did. He did not want to see
the improvement started, and stopped.
He wanted it to go on and be completed.
He was willing to vote for 100000 or
some definite sum.
Mr.. Hall said an engineer had gone
over the ground and had made rough
estimate for the Board. He reported
that 500, 900 or $4,000 at the outside
would do the work. He hoped Council
would understand the Board had no more
interest in the matter than other
citizens. They simply wanted to do the
best they could for the people. They
had gone to great trouble to buy good
machinery, and thought they had the
best in the country. Now they wanted
to put that machinery in the best loca-
ton and cut the coal bill in two. He
thought $4,000 would do the work,
100000 might do it. The Board was
endeavoring to do the very best it could
do.
Mr.. Brock said his amendment con-
tanned no reflection upon the Board.
He simply wanted to throw out safe
guard for the city. He would increase
the sum in his amendment to $4,000.
Mr.. Hall said he thought that would
be ample, and the amendment was
adopted.
Mr.. O,Leary then offered an amend
mendment saying that in no case should
water rates be increased.
Mr.. Brock and the Chair thought
rents were regulated by Council, any
how, and the amendment was with
drawn.
The ordinance was then passed and
went'to the First Branch.
When section one had been read, in
the Upper House, Mr.. Wilson said he
thought it would be a good idea to take
in the Committee on Water Works, to
act with the Board, as the Light Com
mittee did in the case OF the electric
light plant. He thought the Board
should have the benefit Of any advice
the Committee might have to give. That
was what the Committee was for. He
moved to insert Committee on Water
Works" wherever the Water Board was