The record-union., 1894-04-03
THE PHYSICIANS TN EARNEST.
They Want the Best Possible Sewer
age System.
The Subject Discussed at a Special
Meeting of the City Board
of Health.

There was a special meeting of the
Board of Health last evening to consider
the sewerage question. President Wizard
presided, and there were present Drs.
Gardner, Wagner, Huntington, Glow and
Fowler.
DR.. Wizard explained the purpose for
which he had called the board together,
and read from the charter to show that
the Board of Health has full power over
al! matters affecting the public health,
sewerage, etc.
lie suggested that the board appoint a
committee to call on the Trustees and re-
quest that body to defray the expenses OF
the Board of Health in visiting Wood
land, Stockton and other places that have
introduced the separate system, and
ascertain how the system works. DR..
Ross had informed him that the system
had worked to perfection in Woodland.
This city needs some such relief, and he
deemed it the duty of the Board Of Health
to act in the matter for the best interests
of the city.
DR.. Glow did not believe that anything
short of complete and perfect system
would answer.
the people down the river would certainly
enjoin the city from dumping its sewage
into the river, and then all the expense of
putting in the Newbury plan would be
wasted. Beside, the cost of flushing the
present sewers would be enormous. II
the present system were maintained and
the sewage have to be disposed of by
chemical precipitation, the cost OF thus
handling the drainage water with
the sewage matter would be very great,
whereas, with the separate system the
drainage could be pumped into the river
and the house drainage might be disposed
of chemically at comparatively small
expense.
DR.. Wagner said the whole point
seemed to hinge on the disposal OF the
sewage, and the question was whether it
should be by pumping into the river or
by chemical precipitation. If by the
former method it seemed as if the New
bury plan would be the proper thing.
DR.. Huntington said he had long in
terview with Mr.. Newbury and became
tavorably impressed with his plan. He
was however, little dubious about the
utility of ten-inch sewers, on account of
the lack OF grade. If there were any cer-
tainty that the city could use the river he
believed the plan proposed by Newbury
would be just the thing. In other States
rivers were allowed to be used for the
purpose, and he did not believe the courts
would make any exception in the case of
Sacramento.
Dr. Glow said he did not think it wise
for the Board of Health to antagonize
Mr.. New bury's plan but he did think the
board ought to investigate the matter and
not take any action until it became salts
fed it was on the right track.
DIR. Huntington said he could not see
that the Board of Health had much to say
in the matter. Whatever 1t might recon-
mend, the Trustees held the sack, and
without money the Board of Health could
do nothing.
DIR. Wizard had no idea the people would
favor expending money, even 500, 900, for
partial system. The Board of Health
should go ahead and recommend some
definite system known to be effective,
urge its adoption, and let others take the
responsibility of adopting or rejecting it.
DIR. Fowler urged the advantages of the
separate or double system, by which the
drainage water could readily be disposed
OF and the solid matter treated separately.
After further discussion, DR.. Gardner
moved that the members of the Board of
Health call upon the City Trustees and
advocate the introduction of the separate
or double system.
DIR. Huntington moved to amend by
asking the Trustees to allow the Board of
h6dlLu LO 20 10 IlO necessary expense OF
calling hither the best sanitary engineer
to be secured, and to have him report to
the board the best plan adapted to this
city.
Dir. Gardner accepted the amendment,
and the board at once adjourned.
On arriving at the Trustees room DR..
Wizard addressed the board, stating the
object of the visit. He said the members
of the Board of Health felt a deep interest
in the sewerage and sanitation of the city
and requested the Trustees TO employ a
competent sanitary engineer, at an ex-
pense of not to exceed $1,000, to come
here and make thorough investigation
of the sewerage system of the city.
Trustee Leonard thought it would be
well 10 wait couple of weeks till the re-
port of the engineer and committee
should be submitted.
Trustee Tozer moved to refer the mat
ter TO the Sewerage Committee, with in
structions to report at the next meeting.
DR.. Gardner stated that, in the opinion
of the Board of Health, Mr.. ewbury's |
plan cannot be successfully adopted. |
The city would certainly be enjoined. 1t
was an important question, and the |
board wished to see the city adopt the
best system possible. They would be |
glad to meet with the Sewerage Commit |
tee and consult on the subject.
The committee expressed themselves |
as more than willing to so consult, and |
DR.. Glow suggested that they meet the |
Board of Health tonight at the latter's |
regular session, which was agreed to.