The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-05-13
SEWAGE AND CITY MAPS.
Engineer Wade Replies 10 the Sug-
gestions ana Criticisms Of
Mr. Meyendorn
He Tells OF tho Promises That
Were Made to the
Ranchmen.
What tho Present city Engineer Thoasht
Were Original Maps Are only Trac-
ings Kept Tor Convenience.
To IhsInispendeat

sewage occupied the attention or the cry
council last tuesday evening. and while
was unable 90 be present a, the nesting. /
see IA your columns what appears 10 be \
full account OF the proceedings AMI 1 have
since talked with City Engineer Mevon-
dora concerning these matters and desire
with your assistance 90 lay before the tax
payers o; this city certain other iniorma-
tion which / have been able 90 gather in
my official investigation and certain ex-
/ plantations Of existing conditions IN the
/ Office OF city engineer. 10 NAV do good
/ and 10 certainly can do no harm. u what is
/ here said be regarded as hops it will be-
/ in the interest OF the city wholly and not
through any desire OF self vindieation.
/ In the first place / desire 20 call attention
I TO the oity's promise through me as city
( engineer 70 the ranohmen affected by the
/ sewage: namely. that as soon as the ground
/ should be free from frost this trouble
I would receive attention and immediate
/ plans be undertaken 30 put the sewage out
OF the way.
I In the next place that the small ditch
/ which now prevents overflow. 10 allowed
across these ranches with the definite IN
dsrstanding tha, work shall Immediately
Z n
[ be criminals delay will be expensive.
My plan recently presented is not an ex-
pertinent 81 least 50 fer as the city is con
cerned.
hmsv be on nv part or on the part OF
the successful bidder for the contract; but
the city is in no danger IN the experiment
since bond in q secure sum Is 70 interpose
in the eity's behalf IN case OF failure BY
the contractor.
J l believe that this should be the policy
/ no matter by whom or by what p ocess the
/ desired end shall be effected, namely; that
she city shall know what e 20 Be the cost
/ before the wOsk Is commenced. hope that
. the city vii n0t again import an engineer
I for this purpose, or it rt does that ample
opportunity will be given for local talent
TO compete with the newcomer ana MS
plans. Sewerage engineering Is now
published science, snd thefors anybolY
can Get plan for disposal TO cost much or
10 cost little, since tuero are 50 many sys-
TENS In this and older countries IN varying
stages OF successful operation.
But IL 10 plain that what will DO the work
in one place may be wholly useless In an
othef; 90 az last IL is a matter OF judgment.
Somebody must decide what Is suited for
Helena and 90 let that somebody put a.
bohd on his Judgment or else step aside.
We are in no condition to Put 10 an ex-
pensive plant even II IL were necessar 80
let Us use what W., have and use 10 wisely.
have stated whs. can be done aat at what
cost and am wiling 10 undertake It at tnoss
figures.
/ will include also the west side sewage
with no additional cost as soon as the city
shall see d. 10 dump the same upon the
sewer farm.
II an imported exert can do better We
ought 90 welcome him into the city's ssI-
vice; II no cannot be has no business here.
Vow, a. to ths available outlet for the
81 / Il
that there Is bat one and that is BY way Of
PTickiy Pear creek.
OF course there may be en- indefinite
number Of lines, but all must terminate in
the Priokly Pear cresk.
With reference 50 the city engineers
office hxturss Il is bus due preceding city
engnoer that the following explanation
be given: The city has had an office for
this department.. but few yeas preceding
which time city engineers and attorneys
and heads OF committees have eaoh IA turn
besn intrustsd with certain maps and
tracings from this office. which are 10 con-
sequence much the worse for wear.
But these we're copies OF additions, maps
explanatory OF petitions. etc, and are Of
small Consequence. tbs city possessed but
few maps and these have accumulated
VefT slowly; 80 that there Is not an engi-
neer actively engaged In the city. who does
not possess much more than does the city
IN these lines. Tue Mclntire records, OF
which Mr.. MeyendoTh speaks are rot city
but oounty records.
The cir has a blue print COPY OF them
but their preservation does EOt depend
upon she city.
lie renoil records OF which be speaks is
simply reference book or Temporary
journal, 20 tie IN monuments Of street cen
ters enabling tie engineer thereby quickly
TO dig up a monument without the use OF
the range lines aud angles given on the
MoIntife plats.
These latter are permanent and OF course
IN inE; the others are Ia peDcil since they
record crosses or notches OF tacks IN curba
posts. GoOrasills. &c. which are continually
ueinR moved. ami these points replaced by
equally transient marks. Ibis reference
book ia not the original. bot a copy. The
orlginsl Is ia the comfy recorders office,
ana nearly ovsrT engineer has copy OF these
references which he 10 continually changing
Tor tue reasons stated above. Mr. MeGendOr1
also rsfsra 90 the nOn-con formitT Co the
city ordinances Of sidewalks, and / would
respectfully suggest shat the records Of the
office WILL show Ia no instance failure 20
give widths aud grades in accordance with
the ordinance, but since not more than
one tenth OF the sidewalk Improvement OF
the city ever falls under the eye % the city
engineer, during construction Of same. u IL
impossibie To- him 50 see 10 u. Therefore.
II It 10 the special duty % any Official. Il Is
that OF the street cOmmlsalOner, through
whom all Sidewalk 10 ordered, 81 see that
these ordinances are complied With. OF
course be must get grades and widths from
the city engineer. he mutilated mas re-
I ferret % bY the C ~ o1gineer are, as has al
ready been intimate. copies Of county
records which can bo replaced ~ any tim e.
An OF the cIstlnctivoly official maps aud
. records % the city are IN excellent condi-
t4uu. and tie system OF making and pre-
I serving them certainly reflects great credit
. upon George j. Kesdcr, who lnnu2ufated
o.. ana upon nay assistant W. W. AcE.-
TOY. who perfected It.
hoW, b Editor allow me 10 thank you
Tor tho opportunity you have given me- %
nake these suggeatioLs aud exp anations,
ans to express tLo bore that an economical
ald satisfactory wa % dispose OF the city
a3wugl may soon DO discovered an I
ado ted. Jous ". WADE.
Helena. May T.
Legal blanks At tLis olhoo
sunday Excursion Rates.
Commencing Nav T. the Northern Paeia,
railroad VII! sell Sunday excursion tickets
tom Helena 20 AlhambTa. Boulder Ho
Springs. Elliston. Avon aud Townsend, a
r-ieof one faro Tor tha round trip Iicket
on sale Saturdays and SUNDAYS. good 20 re