The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1895-05-23

PROFESSIONALLY contractors are heetf--
less in this regard to the great diseaGl--
fort and annoyance of the public, These
provisions, however, are principals m-
serted with view of replacing pared
streets, and do not affect the Strength
or capacity Of the sewer.
Charge s: "Surplus of earth u0t re-
moved. Street at present III very E9E&
condition"
1t would appear that the shove
charge is one that the cuolcll is entire
ly competent to decide without outside
advice
Charge 8: No pipes were fitted or
matched before being placed in the
trench. No Joints We're wiped OF
pointed"
The iii effects of not matching the
pipe would be very small unless the
joints were not wiped. in which case il
might be serious. | examined each
section very carefully to see il this was
the case, and only in one place fduud
what appeared TO be some cement from
the joint on the interior of the sewec as
seen from one manhOle to another. The
sewer otherwise appeared to be a plE-
feet circle and free from all defects
liable to result from the negligence
above charged.
Besides these written objcctiaHS
verbal charge was made that the pIas--
tering of the exterior of the mauh0Ies
was omitted. AS the specifications
provide that this shall lie dome its ab-
sence is to the advantage OF the c6u-
tractor. | am informed, however, that
an agreement was made with the cdrh-
tractor by the engineer whereby the
cement in the pipe joints should have
the proportions of two parts of cement
to one part of sand instead Of one part
of cement to two parts of sand, us PFC
vided in the specifications to offset the
plastering Of the exterior Of the u2agl-
holes. While / would coincide wJrk
your engineers judgment, both la lealv-
| ing off the plaster coat OF the Indttla4lk&
and in enrichiug the ,e0,t- C for the
| pipe joints, Yet Strict liz ,cg e}fetati0E
of the specifications would require the
consent of the council to this change
| Specifications are often misleading nc
the average individual They Ave Gaas-
ally written for the purpose OF placing
within the engineers reach means wftk
which he can compel contractors to dG
good work. Oftentimes they SSe sa-
perlatively exact where great exacsaess
would be both expensive ana UMnecs-
essarv. Yet cases are constantly Ekela
to arise where that eXactneSS ca &hsa-
| lutely necessary. For instance. TltG
specifications relate with great exact
ness that the backtillng must tAe
rammed in layers of nine iac.hex W
thickness with alternate to ntimgs etf
water. Now in Il sandy sod Oh AL aEl-
frequented street, the first good Eaisl-
storm after the ditch is filled in tsse Or.
binary manner would settle it Iar bet
ter than it could be rammed or fOaded
by the method provided in the su<sih-
cations. But suppose in tile nAeaAEInA
| it is proposed to pave and clay sell iE
encountered. 1t will be readlv Aeen
that flooding and ramming is Nhr outs
possible way to prepare for the cnnfiE,
gency. So it is with MANY other pSas-
visions of carefully written SlteciGaa
tons. They are useful in their place.
but much still depends on the InfeNl-
gence and good Judgment of the eAsilE-
eer in charge.
Finally, my general immcsSt0E H.
that the contractor had a piece OF werk
Of unusual difficulty, owing to the Ea-
ture of the wet, fine sanG thraa@k
which the sewer was laid, but mcver-
theiess Quilt q sewer which was futfy
equal to 80 per cent. of similar wark
accepted by the vity of Chicago, and
chat after cleaning the two inches Of
sand out of the lower sections and E1I$--
ing the manhOles to the established
grade he is reasonably entitled Ia re
acceptance Of his work.
The few leaks that how exist are iEp-
| considerable lin number and an@aEftt
and viii disappear in Il few months e.
| tirrlv
The line and grade are excellent 4xd
the masonry while not Of the hityheSe
order, is good anil DIR HE, and the
sewer as a whsle will do It's work eff
GENTLY for many years Ia c@ne.
All Of which is respectfully sJbmsfGe6
JOHN W. AEVORD,
Hydraulic and Sanitary Engineer,
1140 The ROokery, Chieas&-
May 20, 1895.
On motion Of Aid. Head the Tcparf q
the civil engineer John ". AlV0rd wax
accepted.
On motion of Aid McGvern tl1e bGIG
Of John w. Alvord of $50 90 for the ex-