The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-09-11

while the company Is always wiling 10
extend its lines when public good de-
mands IL, il does not propose 10 do SO at q
loss TO itself and profit in the interests
OF land speculation. This communication
also intimated that the extension would
be made not later than Aug. i, 1890. The
petitioners were given leave TO withdraw.
Also presented, a petition for the Union
Railroad Company TO lay rails and erect
poles on Francis street. This petition was
opposed at its last presentation on the
ground that the layout OF Francis street
had not been definitely determined.
Chairman Vose explained that the permit
was only wanted for small portion OF
the street at the present time in order that
tie rails might be laid simultaneously
with the wearing surface of the new bridge
and thus do away with tearing up the
roadway in the future. The plan provided
for the laying of the rails in the middle OF
the street.
Councilman Sheahan offered an amend
ment to the effect that the petition would
be granted on condition that before
Nov. 1, the railroad company would issue
transfer tickets. The amendment was
seconded, and then upon motion OF Coun-
Gilman Vaughan, the whole matter was
recommitted to the committee on rail-
roads.
The committee on city property reported
a resolution that the sewer assessments on
two lots on West Exchange street, recently
sold by the city, be remitted. Passed.
The Filtration system.
Mr.. Mccarthy moved that the report OF
the special committee on filtration sys-
tenn and the resolution directing the COM
missioner of public works to build by con-
tract or otherwise a suitable system OF
gravity filters, appropriating $4,000 for
that purpose and providing that the work
shall be executed in accordance with the
plans and specifications of the city engi-
neer, be taken from the table. So ordered.
lie moved concurrence in the resolution.
Mr.. Vaughan hoped the Council would
not concur. He said that the informa-
tion thus far given to the Council
had been meager The speaker
said that he had examined the re-
ports Of the royal commission, appointed
to inquire into the gravity system. -Four
principles were laid down. The first prin-
ciple laid down was plenty of stor-
age capacity before water was turned on
to the filter beds; the second was
the depth of sand; third, the
slow rate OF filtration and the renewal of
the beds. He used extracts from the i'm
vestigat ion of Professor Franklin, a Lon
don expert, which showed that the aver
age efficiency of six companies was be-
tween 90 and 96h per cent. 1t was found
that the best results were obtained from
systems having the largest storage capac-
ity. The Konigsb berg plant did not develop
an efficiency in excess of 76 per cent.
Mr.. Waugh han said that the London com
panies represented Az acres storage
capacity to one acre OF filter bed. Provi-
dence is to provide for bed of 6R acres.
He was opposed to turning q mill pond
into a storage system. He wasn't ready
to vote for any experiment, and, judging
the future from the past, he was satis-
fed that the plant could not be built
for any such sum. In reply to Mr.. Me-
Carthy, he said that he was in favor OF
mechanical filtration at the outset. The
Council had rendered its verdict upon
that system. 1t was dead issue. He
criticised the course of the committee in
attempting to rush through the pending
resolution during the vacation season,
and said he objected 10 such course of
procedure. He moved that the resolution
be indefinitely postponed.
Councilman Mccarthy said: "This
Council appointed special commission to
investigate the relative merits of different
systems of filtration, and after expend-
ing $4,000 in experiments that comm is
sion report in favor of filtration on the
ground that 1t was necessa~', and this
body voted by q large ,.lajority to
instruct the commissioner OF pub
lie works to contract for filtra-
tion system. That vote was passed
with the understanding that the Mori-
system was the one that would
be adopted. The reason that contract was
not made was that the New York courts
prevented the company from further
using the patent. But that does not affect
the merits OF the system. The entire de-
lay now is on the part of a few who are
taking advantage OF every technicality in
parliame ntary law to obstruct this much
needed ieg lslation and why do they wish
TO continue this delay?
at is because the Morison- Jewell sys-
TEN has been set aside and the commits
sioner of public work has been instructed
not to make the contract which it was in
tended that he should make. They bring
here long and learned reports from prom
inent scientific men of London
uHu Otutf CltIcs, Dut Wnen tney are
asked point blank questions on the rela-
tive necessities for the filtration OF Paw
tuxet water and that Of other rivers, they
make no response.
"rhe question has passed the state OF
argument and the City of Providence is
TO some system OF fltra-
tion. We have had some OF
the engineers OF Lawrence to
examine our sand and their report is
favora BILE so that the only objection TO the
natural system is removed except perhaps
the intimation that 1t will cost much
more than is originally estimated. But
that means nothing. The plans and speci..
fications are open to the inspection OF the
City Council and the public and we can
know a. preliminary what the expendi-
ture will be before we authorize IL.
"Iam afraid, Mr. President, that the real
objection is not so much to save money as
to postpone the whole matter until such
time as the City Council may be induced
TO believe that the Morlson-J -Jewett sys-
tenn is the one TO have. But, Mr.. Presi-