The record-union., 1894-12-29
DISPOSAL OF THE CITY GARBAGE.
A Subject That Should Not be Lost
Sight Of
Systems in Vogue in Different Cities
The Dixon Plan, as Used In
Atlanta, Ga.

Sacramento is not the only city that has
been troubled to find solution of the
problem of how to dispose of garbage.
The latest moye-that OF dumping it on
low lots in the southwestern extremity
of the city and covering it with earth-is
only a temporary makeshift at best. 1t
is preferable to having it deposited in
many places and left uncovered, while
the breezes toy with the effiuvia that
arises and watt it to all parts of the city.
Even NS" York, old as that city is has
lately been making inquiries of smaller
but more progressive cities with view
to determining what plan of disposal is
preferable. Recently Mayor Gilroy ap-
pointed committee to investigate the
subject, and the result has been the re-
ceipt of correspondence from a number
of cities where various plans have been
tried.
1t is thought the committee will rec
ommend what is known as the Dixon
system, now in use at Atlanta, Ga. AS
the matter has by no means been settled
IN Sacramento, a brief explanation of this
and other plans in vogue may be of in-
terest to the citizens and local authorities.
BY the Dixon Tor Atlanta) system the
=
Grease and a fertilizer-each of which is
valuable and mark etable-are the results.
The garbage can be treated in this way
without otfense TO those persons who live
near the crematories.
The mem bers of the committee-ex-
Postnaster-Gene Thomas l.. James,
eX-Mayor franklin Edison, President
Wilson of the Board of Health, Street
Commissioners Andrews and Lieutenant
Commander Delehanty, United States
navy, Supervisor of the Port OF New
1ork-recently returned after ten days
trip OF investigation, during which they
Travelled more than 900 miles.
In Boston they found the process ope-
rated by the New England Construction
Company, whose furnaces are at Wake
held. Here they found strong, pene-
tratlng ana lasting stencil caused by the
burning of the sugar in the garbage. AL
though the products of this system have
commercial value, the stencil would
operate as bar TO jt4 adoption for this
city.
Charles Thackery's system was in
spected in Montreal, Quebec. He de-
stroys the garbage completely, reducing
1t all to ashes in peculiarly shaped fur
naces, IN which the garbage is used as
fuel for its own burning. The Stag LETT
after the burning is valuable as a founda-
ton Tor cement, and the heat generated
by a battery OF fourteen furnaces, Mr..
1hackery claims, will give a force of 800
horsepower, which can be used in pro-
ducing electricity for street lighting, etc.
a remarkable plan, known as the An
derson system, was found in operation in
Chicago. The garbage, loaded on fiat
cars, Is passed through a tunnel in which
IL Is exposed TO flames Of crude petro-
leum, being stirred meantime with
pneumatic poker, through which a blast
OF air can be carried to any part OF the
heap. This system is ingenious and
promises good results, but it is not yet
leyond The experimental STAGE
Nm st. Louis the Investigators found the
Merz system, operated by the St. Louis
Sanitary Company. Here the garbage is
treated with the OBJECT OF using the pro-
ducts. The garbage, after being thor
oughly dried in steam jacketed dryers, is
thoroughly saturated with naphtha,
which dissolves the grease in It, The
grease is drained ofiand after some treat
ment is readily marketable. Rhe residue
Is dried and sold Tor fertilizer The wet
garbage costs Sl92 per 100 tons. The only
Objectionable feature in this system was
the awful and oyerpowering stencil.
The visitors removed their outermost
clothing and put on long, thick linen
coats. In spite of this precaution their
clothes were so thoroughly impregnated
by the rank smell that 1t could be noticed
plainly the next day. One of the COM
mittee was SO overcome by the odor that
he was compelled to leave the garbage
works and hurry to a remote spot for a
supply OF breathable air.
The committee found the Dixon system
in use at Atlanta, Ga. This consists of
two reverberatory furnaces, one above
the other, with CRATE bars between. Coal
is used for fuel, and the garbage is
dumped into the upper furnace. When
dried it falls through the CRATE bars into
the lower chamber.
AS an Illustration of the system. the
carcass OF horse was placed IN the fur
mace. II had disappeared, even to the
bones, in one hour and ten minutes. The
gases given of in the burning are led |
from the garbage chambers to another |
furnace below the smokestack, where
they are burned. Not much odor was
percepuible, but there was enough TO be
Objectionable.
Consulting Engineer a. B. Frenzel,
who accompanied the committee smoke
highly of the Dixon system.
The third fire." he said, lis not enouUh
to destroy the odor. The gases from the
furnace should be carried To 'scrubbers,
such rs have been used by the manufac-
turers OF illuminating gas in this city for
the last three years. Our gashouses are
no longer nuisances, because these scrub
bers' wash away all obnoxious odors.
The DlXou system can be improved. and
il il is introduced in this city | have no
doubt it i'll be. The system Yields for
every 100 tons of garbage twenty-eight
III,
tons of grease, worth SO a ton The
grease is very pure and white, and there
is steady demand for it by manufactur-
ers OF soap-ioreign manufacturers. of
course"
But how can the garbage be kent sena-
rate from the ashes ?" was asked.
1.-The Boston system,' he replied.
would doubtless give satisfaction here.
In Boston the owner OF every house is
required TO provide separate receptacles
for garbage and for ashes. Ii the collector
finds ashes and garbage mixed in box
or barrel he passes on without touching
it and makes report. Then the Board
OF Health compels tue owner of the mixed
garbage and ashes To express it TO some
point lar from the city where it can be
disposed OF. 1t has never been found
necessary to put an owner through this
experience twice. one experience is
enough"
SUPERIOR COITRp