The San Francisco call., 1895-11-02
SALT WATER FOR STREETS,
Alameda to Have a Plant for
Pumping Water From the
Estuary.
1t Will Probably Be Located at
the Foot of Grand
Street.

ALAMEDA, Nov. IA saltwater plant
to furnish water for street-sprinkling pur-
poses has been practically decided upon
by the City Trustees. The proposition
will be to equip the plant so that it Will be
ready for next seasons sprinkling. The
estimated cost will be about $4,000 and
will be paid out of the general fund.
Trustee Fletter stated to-day that the
plant would probably be located at the
foot of Grand street on the city's lot and
pump the water from the estuary. Bids
for the construction of the plant will be in
vited in a few weeks. Mr.. Fletter further
stated that he had had several discussions
with Mr.. Dingee about the cost of pump
ing, and the latter is authority for the
statement that salt water can be pumped
for cents per 1000 gallons "I think it is
wrong for the city to pay $4,000 every year
for street sprinkling,' said Mr.. Fletter.
when salt water can be obtained for SO
much less. A system such as we contem-
plate putting in operation will REQUIRE
about three and three-quarter miles of
pipe, which will be laid from the foot of
Grand street to Santa Clara avenue and
then extend either way to High street and
First street. There will be about one and
three-quarter miles of eight-inch pipe and
a mile each of six-inch and four-inch pipe,
and about twenty standpipes with 21%-inch
opening erected at convenient intervals.
THE pump will not cost more than $500,
and will have a capacity of 700 gallons per
minute. 1t is claimed that one gallon of
salt water is about equal to three gallons
of fresh water for street purposes, and I
believe that seven instead of nine carts
would be sufficient to sprinkle the city,
and the saving of wages paid to the two
extra drivers would pay for the coal used
The estimated cost of the house and engine
would not exceed $500"
1t is stated that when the tax levy of
81 % was made the Trustees had the mat
ter under consideration. 1t is proposed to
have the plant completed by the 1st of
April.
Captain j. X. Brown Retired.
Captain J. K. Brown of the ferry steamer
Oakland, after a continuous service of
twenty y-five years in the employ of the
Southern Pacific Company, has retired
He sent in his resignation several days
ago and the company accepted it with re-
luctance. He is rs years of age and has
concluded to spend his remaining years III
quiet and rest. He has been a resident of
this city for twenty-one years and owns a
handsome home on Santa Clara avenue
He was struck by the pilot wheel in the
early part of the year, caused by the
breaking of the rudder chain. and was laid
up for several weeks. He stated to CALL
representative to-day that this was the
longest period he was ever absent from
his work during his term of service. Cap
tam Brown, at the age of IA years, secured
employment on sloop on the Hudson
River New York, and was shortly after
ward transferred to steamboat, working
ms way up from deckhand to pilot.
de started for California in 1850 on the
side-wheeler Wilson G. Hunt, arriving in
San Francisco in June, 1851. He went in
10 the employ of the Central Pacific in
September, 1870, when steamers were ply
ing between the old Alameda wharf and
San Francisco, and on the completion of
side.
lie has acted as pilot for every ferry
boat OF the Southern Pacific Company