The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-12-29
DEERIIG SEWER PROBLEM.
Citizens Meet and Discuss 1t In an
Animated Meeting.
MUCH DIVERSITY OF OPINION
DEVELOPED.

ARC 0IaAluS Ssdfos oAc dutl seven txst5
Unhealthiest Portions of Portland
Many Ideas ACCOMPLISHMENTS of
Majority Favors Sewers.
The Deering city government as
sembled last evening to hear the argu-
ynents for and against the construction
of the extension of the sewer system to
Woodfords and Deering Centre.
The hearing was hsld in Lewis Hall
and was largely attended.
On the part of those favoring sewers,
Mr.. c. A. Woodbury. was first heard. He
reviewed the action of the old town in
preparing for system of sewers, and
said he believed a system OF sewers was
much needed at Woodfords, especially at
the Corner, and on Pleasant street. He
was not prepared to say that the plan
adopted by the city government was
best; but was very certain that some
thing would have to be done, or the
sanitary situation would be threatening.
AS to the method provided by the city
government for paying for the sewers,
he was not prepared either to endorse or
condemn. But there seemed to be de-
feet in the system. The principle that
not more than third of the cost Of
sewers should be levied on the general
taxpayer, he believed to be right, But
as to the levying of the remaining two
thirds, he was in some doubt. If this
should be levied according to square
feet of area of the land benefited a mis-
take would be made, for the burden
would be inequitably imposed, also if
the burden should be imposed entirely
according to the front foot extent of a
given lot. Lots differently situated
would be differently benefited. There
fore he thought that land value ought to
be considered in connection with front
foot extent. Also he thought there
should be provision for payment at a
future time for lots not now improved.
DR.. Carlton Kimball asked Alderman
Hutchins to explain how the present sys-
tenn assesses the tax.
MI. Hutchins said that the city govern
ment had taken the plans of the old
town engineer and had assessed lots ac-
cording to the square foot area Of the
lots. The city council had also made up
a plan Of assessment according to the
front foot of extent. AS to the defer
ring of payment of assessments on un-
improved lands, Mr.. Hutchins said that
the sewer act provided for this. As to
the differences of the two methods of
assessing square foot or front foot) he
said that, street by street, the aggregates
did not vary much. But of course the
assessments of individual lots did vary,
Mr.. Manasseh Smith,
said that the protection of the health of
the inhabitants was matter of the first
But he thought that the
sewer was one of the most
dangerous of modern inven-
tions. 1t might be necessary in thickly
populated districts, but was a perpetual
source of danger, a conduit for the pas
sage of disease germs. The city of Port
land afforded an illustration Of this.
on high, dry and well drained
land, the wards at the extremities of the
city shovld be the healthiest. But what
was the fact? Those wards were not the
healthiest, but the sickliest. Diphthe
ria, typhoid fever, and other zymotic
diseases were much more common than
in the lower w4rds. TIE reason was
plain, The sewer system was affording
can opportunity for the passage of dis
ease germs and these germs were being
piped up into all the houses in the upper
part Of the city from the sewage depos-
lis on the low levels.
Tie city government had estimated
that that the proposed sewer would ben
eft his land $500 an acre. But for $4,000
he would not allow 8 pipe connection
from his house to back bay, that deposit
tory of the filth from this city and Port
land.
There was no purifier like the open
ground and sunshine. Any amount of
filth could be put upon the ground and
the sun and the Almighty would take
care CT it in few hours. The best sci
sntists were advocating the abolition of
sewers, even in large cities, and were re-
return to the night cart
system.
Unquestionably some means must be
taken to carry off the water, but the plan
to blast up through Spring and Mechan-
ic streets was, in his opinion, very fool
ish. The inhabitants of those streets
had not asked for it.
Mr.. Smith concluded by saying that he
did not believe the present system OF as
sessment was constitutional.
DR.. Carlton Kimball
spoke next. He began by relating that
not long ago he found within 20 feet OF
his cellar wall cesspool. He had
plan drawn and consulted eminent doc
tors in Portland, all OF whom declared
that the cesspool was an unmitigated
nuisance Since then two water closets
had been connected with this cesspool.
This situation was alarming to him, and
he was looking to sewer system for re-
lief. The village was full of cesspools
and they were source of danger con-
structed as they are. Properly made of
brick and stone, and properly tended,
cesspools were all right. The city of
Brockton, with 10000 people, did not
have a sewer, and its cesspools were very,
satisfactory.