The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-04-28
Opinion of Council of the Recon-
mendatiOn of Sand Filters.
FOLLY OF THE $2Sl,OOO ESTIMATE SHOWN.
The Committee Engineers Department Laughed aPaOman Gma
tin Appointed Commissioners Scored by
CouncilBond AuhorizedSchOo House Appropriation
Secured.

Both branches of the City Council were
in session for five hours last night and
when they adjourned it was until next
Monday evening, when they will meet in
JOINT convention to elect city solicitor.
The special order of the long session
was the filtration question, to consider
which both branches sat together and
listened to the testimony OF experts. The
facts of the case brought out by general
cross-examination on the part of the MEM
bers were so damaging to the cause OF sand
or natural filtration that after the bodies
had separated there was not a single voice
OF dissent TO the motion TO lay the whole
matter, report ano resolution, on the
table. They had cen denounced on the
floor of the Council chamber as not being
worth the paper upon which they were
written
At the session OF the Board Mayor Nc
Guinness announced that he had selected
Patrolman Peter Il. Gilmartin for the
vacancy in the list of sergeants, and the
Aldermen confirmed the appointment.
Sand Filters Denounced.
At o o'clock the Mayor and Board of
Aldermen entered the Council cham Der
and President Kendrick announced that
the special order was the report of the
committee on the city engineers depart
meat recommending system of filtration,
and the passage of a resolution directing
the commissioner of public works TO con-
tract for system of gravity filters 10 cost
net exceeding S2S1, 200.
President Kendrick then invited the
various experts to address the mem bers.
Robert T.. Smith, commissioner of pub
lie works, said that he hardly knew what
he was wanted for, but that he was ready
a IN
Wipsor SAID "Gc ahead. Robert.
Alderman Nichols wanted to know IL ii
was proposed TO "make a tight bottom,
and the con missioner said that it would
be practically tight.
Alderman Winsor asked If the commits
sioner thought filtration was necessary,
ana Mr.. Smih said yes.
Councilman Joseph ii. Kendrick re-
ferred 10 the history of the filtration
question in the City Council and recalled
the fact that the first committee appoint
ed TO investigate The matter started out
with the idea that sand filter was the
best, but after a study OF the question
decided In favor of q mechanical system.
And as result of that decision 1t was
decided by the City Council to secure n
mechanical plant and such action would
have been taken but for the discovery of
law suit brought against the mechani-
cal filter people for an alleged Infring-
ment of patent.
Mr.. Bullock asked what cities have
adopted mechanical filtration and ex-
Councilman Barney. who was chairman
of the cid committee was asked to answer.
Mr.. West objected to hearing from Mr..
Barney at that time end City Engineer
Shedd was placed on the stand.
Mr.. Angel asked what area of filter beds
would be necessary fo- Providence and
Mr.. Shedd replied that he had estimated
1t at six ano a half acres.
Mr.. West asked about the location Sc
lectsd for the proposed filter beds and Mr..
Shedd said that plat opposite the Worth
ington pumping station had been sug-
gested.
Mr. West askd il Ii would be necessary
TO cover the filter and Mr.. .Shedd said that
IL would not be worth while. The Coun-
Gil man from Ward 10 fired in several
more questions suggestive OF cross ex-
am mation in answer to which the En-
gineer admitted that ne cost had been