The record-union., 1894-04-17
CONCERNING SEWAGE DISPOSAL.
Engineer Newbery Explains His Plans
to the Trustees.
What his System VIII Cost the City
Opinions of Trustees and
Physicians.

The CITY Trustees neIO q speclal AeSe-
ing yesterday afternoon to listen to the
report of Engineer f. T. Newbery, and
examine his plans for sewage system
for this city. A meeting of the Sewerage
Committee had been held the day before,
at which Mr.. Newbery had shown and
explained the plans formulated by him.
The Board of Health had been invited
to be present, hut other engagements
seemed to prevent most OF them, only Drs.
Waggoner and Glow and City Physician
Fowler being present. Dr. Huntington
sent word that it would be impossible for
him to be present, as he was engaged
elsewhere. President Lawton stated the
object of the meeting, and Mr.. Newbery
read his report.
1t gives in detail the facts and figures
heretofore published in this paper, states
that the authorities agree that IL taxes
sewage thirty-siX hours to decompose,
aud that under his plan all sewage can De
emptied into the river within four hours
AS it will not decompose it will not pol
Lutte the river, and the amount OF sewage
Tor our population will only be as one
pound OF sewage TO 900 tons OF water IN
the river. This will go on its way, and
be at San Francisco in tWenty-four hours-
He also states that as the sewers have so
present sinks into the ground ana poi
lutes it. With proper outlet and proper
flushing this would be stopped. Part OF
the system is adequate TO the clty's needs,
but considerable Of it needs renewing ana
enlarglng the pipes.
lie calls attention to the need OF nush-
ing system to insure the health OF the
community, and needing about 2O0,OOO
gallons Of water each day TO properly
nush each sewer The scheme has refer
ence to the superseding OF the pumping
plant on \ street, which IS inadequate TO
perform the work.
Mr.. New berry said that, thinking 1t well
to consult and ask the advice OF COM
petent authority, he had written TO Pro-
fessor Davidson, the well-known sclen-
list, asking him a number OF questions
with regard 10 his plans. lie read the
letter OF inquiry and the answer thereto,
approving his plans and Vouchlng 1Or MS
ability and integrity.
MIR. New berry then read his plans and
specifications. His estimates OF cost are:
Jumps, engines and buildings, 81, 800;
S-street sewers, head works, etc., S6S.Oo2
flushing plant, $4,000; land purchase,
s., 400; pipes, sewers, catch basins ana
manholes, $50, ,994. Total, Sl72. .946.
MIR. Newbery then showed a large
number of maps and plans of the pro-
posed system.
DIR. W aggoner, in response TO the invi-
tation of the President, said that he had
given close attention TO the plan as eX-
plained, and considered it as near perfec-
Ilon as engineering skill could make it,
Every direction seemed to have been
met and overcome, and he could not, as
lar as he was concerned, ind flaw III 1t.
AS far as Professor DaVldson'S recon-
mendatlon was concerned, we can not
look for higher authority as a scientist,
and his experience must lend added
weight to his recommendation.
Dr. Glow said that ne could not well
express an opinion without more famii-
iarity with the separate system. This
plan seems excellent, but the best sani-
Iary authorities favor the double system,
but the explanations of Mr.. New berry
and the recommendation of Professor
Davidson must necessarily carry great
weight with them.
Dir. Fowler said he was not sufficiently
posted in sanitary engineering TO give an
opinion. The plan looks well on paper
and may work we'll. He thought still,
however, that it might be well 10 have
other plans before the board for consid-
Grafton.
W. r. Campbell said that he knew from
many years of observation how the water
flows and runs Oft in the city. At the in
vitation OF the Board of Trustees at a
former meeting he had prepared plan.
This plan of Mr.. Newbery is practically
the same, there being only some minor
details different.
He believed it a good one, but it diff
fered from his own plan III having the
sump at Sixth street. He thought it
should be nearer the river. Mr.. Liver
more had told him that his company
would have power here from Folsom by
next January, and he (CampbelD thought
it would be we'll TO consider the saving in
cost OF electric power over coal.
j. A. W oodson said he would speak
purely as a citizen and taxpayer. Mr..
Newbery had convinced him that this is
a good plan, first, because it does not re-
ouire new sewers; second, that it uses the
present system, and third, that il en-
braces flushing system TO cleanse the
sewers. he believed that this climate is
too dry for large part OF the year for the
separate system. 1t will do only where
il rains the year round.
V. ). McClatchy said he had not given
the matter sufficient study TO make his
opinion of value. lie had given close at
tention TO Mr.. Newbery'S explanation,
and was inclined to think the combined
system the best for this climate He
thought perhaps Mr.. Campbell's sugges-
ton is worth looking into, and see if
Sixth street is the best point for the
sump.
MI. Newbery informed him that Front
and 5 streets was eighteen feet above the
bed OF the river and Fifth street only five.
Mayor SJeinman said he did not know
much about sewers, but he did know that
Mr.. Newbery had made these surveys
and that the old system could be used.
We must cut our coat according TO our
cloth. This seems TO be the only system
that we can at present afford TO under
take and we cannot wait much longer.
We must have drainage and sewerage or
get out.
President Lawton gave sketch OF what
was done previous TO Mr.. Newbery's
coming. The question is now, stall we
spend four months in advertising for
plans, ETC.. and lose another year.
Tozer thought it would be proper to
keep the plans on file for a few days and
have Mr.. Newbery explain them 10 citi-
zens who wished for information. He
moved that it be done.
The Mayor said the first thing to find
out is whether the board has power TO
issue $500, goo worth of bonds or whether
the limit has been already reached.
Several others expressed their opinions
and ToZer'S motion was carried.
Mr.. Newbery agreed to be at the Trus-
tees room each day from l0 to II A. NJ.
and 10 and to 9 P. NJ.
Leonard moved that the services of Mr..