The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-06-05
IN THE COUNCIL.
The Pawtuxet Water Will Be
Filtered.
IN Overwhelming Vote In Favor Of
Morrison-JeweII System.

SAsh.eu Iheir hpproVal OF the MorrBOn-
Jewell system, which was unani-
mously recommended I'm the report
OF the commission consisting OF
Commissioner Smith, City Engineer Shedd
and superintendent OF Health Chaplin.
The commission, Mr.. Il. B. Weston OF the
engineers department and DIR. Swarts,
were invited In turn TO address the Coun-
oil, and they were subjected to a critical
and exhaustive questioning upon the com
parative merits OF the mechanical and
natural systems, and as to the necessity
OF the introduction of any system. With
the exception of City Engineer Shedd, the
members of the commission expressed
themselves as heartily In favor OF
The plan which as commissioners
they recommended. On the contrary Mr.,
6hedd seemed to favor what is known as
the natural system, although he empha-
cized the fact that the question of purifi-
cation OF the water was one which called
lor an early settlement, and that rather
than any further delay should ensue, he
he would endorse the mechanical system.
The arguments OF Superintendent Chaplin
and DIR. Swarts were most en-
phatic in endorsement of the Morrison
Jewell system as calculated to more effec-
tually eradicate the evils resulting from
polluted water, and they cited numerous
gases In support OF their claim. The mis-
cellaneous business was largely of a routine
nature, and an adjournment was taken
The Filtration system.
The resolution directing the commits
Sioner OF public works to contract for
suitable system of mechanical gravity
tilters, and To expend therefor not ex-
ceeding sl51 900, including cost OF filters
and the necessary building and appli-
pnces, laid on the table May 21, 1894, and
made thespecial order for this meeting,
was taken up. The commissioner OF pub
lie works, city engineer, superintendent
of health, Mr.. Il. Ii. Weston, assistant
engineer, and DIR. Swarts were
present and submitted to cross
examination by the Council. Com
committee appointed TO examine
the different methods OF filtering water
by the mechanical means had, after a
careful consideration OF a years duration.
decided on the Morrson-Jewell system.
a year ago four filters were started, one
city and one by the Morrison Jewell Com
pany. The result was unanimously in
favor of the latter system. The appro-
priation will cover the cost of the
whole work to be done in the prepara-
tions for introducing the system. The
city OF providence certainly needs filtered
water. III the plan is adopted the iron
tanks will be built by Providence parties.
After his remarks Commissioner Smith
answered the questions submitted to him
by the Councilmen.
In answer to question by Mr.. Clarke as
TO whether the Pawtuxet water was not
equally as good and pure as that of any
city In the country, he stated that the
analysis OF the water shows that the
water is practically the same as regards
purity as when first used.
Mr.. Mccarthy introduced four uues-
lions, one as TO what cities have adopted
the Morrison-Jewell system; the second
as to whether or not any city has got be-
yond the experimental stage of the sys-
tenn; another as to what price Is to be
paid for the system TO the proprietors OF
the patent for the right to use the system,
and the fourth as to what other system Of
hltration IL is possible to adopt besides
the mechanical.
In answer, Commissioners Smith stated
that the city could adopt the common
gravity system, as extensively used else
where, and that no price was to be paid
the proprietors for the use of the patent.
Mr.. Mccarthy urged the question as to
price, and Mr. Smith finally stated that i'm
case the city adopted the Morrison Jewell
plan bond would be given by the owners
OF the patent which would guarantee the
city from litigation arising regarding
alleged infringements on other patents.
MIR. Sheahan-Is this patent controlled
by certain company?
Yes.
Does the city secure the right to use
this patent?
Yes.
There is no litigation as to the validity
OF the patent?
No.
What would be the cost OF maintaining
the filter?
About ninety dollars per day.
City Engineers Views.
The same questions were submitted to
City Engineer Shedd. He stated in answer
to the fourth question, that there is
general method known as the natural
system. This is a slow filtration, the
water passing. through sand. The
Morrison Jewell system makes it poss-
BILE to filter rapidly, by adding alum
TO the water before passing it |
through the process. 1t is a fact |
that a!cm puts the water i'm such a con. |
dition that the foreign matter is arrested |
by the sand when the water is passed |
through al a rapid rate. Mr.. Shedd gave |
brief description OF the mechanical |
system, and stated that the water filtered |
in this manner, while il might hold |
some OF the alum in solution |
after the process of filtration, there
was still not enough in quantity to be |
dangerous to humanity or injurious to |
boilers in which the water was used.
The removal OF bacteria seems to
ne as sufficient by. this as by
bacteria do pass through the filter, they
are OF harmless character, the expert |
ments proving without doubt that the
larger and more dangerous forms OF dis
ease germs are arrested i'm the passage of
the water through the process OF clearing.
In answer TO the question of cost, Mr..
shedd stated that the mechanical filter
would necessitate the expenditure OF
ISL 900. IL would cost $500 a year TO
maintain the system in good working
order. In building a sand plant or natu-
raj filter it would cost s25O,0O0 and n
yearly expenditure Of about twosthirds
rs much as to maintain the me-
chanical process. Mr.. Shedd said
that he considered the mechanical system
TO be as good as the natural process, but
the efficacy OF either would depend largely
upon the class of men employed i'm at
tending to~the process. La the natural
system one superintendent was needed
who could be assisted by laborors
unskilled, but i'm the
mechanical process a much more
skillful superintendent was needed to-
gether with skilled engineers and
4. ola cff. ok. 1