San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1896-02-28
TALKING ON THE SEWERS.
Citizens Meet the Aldermen and Have a
Long Discussion.

AAO OltANShS puDliS Aul plONSAhOhb
committee and the members of the
city council held an informal dis
cussion of the sewer question yes
terday in the city council chamber
and the discussion took q wide
range. No definite conclusion was
arrived at, though it was the sense
of the meeting that the sewers
must be completed according to
specifications, no change in the
same to be allowed. The meeting
was finally postponed until today.
The committee and members of
the council re.assembled this
morning, with Consulting Engineer
Gray. who returned from Mexico
yesterday, present. From 10 to IL
O'Clock he withstood a heavy cross
fire of questions from every side,
answering every question clearly
and thoroughly and with the
greatest cordiality.
Speaking of brick, Mr.. Gray pre-
sented two fine dry-pressed Mon
terey bricks which he brought with
him, and which showed an absorp-
tion of only 10 per cent. They were
rougher and better than the Mon
terey brick (the mud brick) that
have been SO complained Of on
account OF their slipperyness. He
said IL brick was not supplied
in the future faster than in the
past, the sewer work would
be materially delayed. He
found some brick on the
sewers yesterday which the city
engineer had condemned, but
which Inspector Peters had told
him were to be used In the sewers.
They were totally unfit; he pro.
duced four every poor specimens,
which he said were the best he
could fined.
Engineer Pancoast said he had
rejected these brick at the Arkansas
street siphon and they were hauled
to the Fourth street sipbon, where
he found them yesterday.
This created little sensation
among the gentlemen present.
Continuing on brick, Mr.. Stay
den asked concerning the in
adequate supply Of brick and said II
home material could not be fur
nished adequately, he did not be-
lieve in restricting the contractors
in the use OF home material. We
are after good sewers and that Is OF
first Importance.
Mr.. Gray favored sewer COM
mission to have entire charge OF
the sewer matters, and they to
give the engineer full authority to
appoint his assistants and inspec-
tors, and also, that the city en-
gineer have competent man, q
man loyal to him, in charge Of
and on the work at all times. "Only
till then will you avoid all this
clashing between the engineer aud
his assistants, and other trouble"
The questions and answers con-
tinued In this strain for some mo-
ments further, when tho commit
tee arose for recess, after declaring
it would formulate a report to the
city council to the effect THAI the
city engineer should have the full
power of appointing his assistants,
and so forth, according to Mr..
Gray's opinions.
During the consultation the fol-
lowing statement OF the condition
OF the sewer fund up to February
9th, prepared by the auditor at
the instance of the mayor, was pre-
sented and read. to-wit:
To proceeds of bonds s5OO0l0 90
BY expenditure TO .
0at6. SltJsS@t ~
fnnd e. 354.Os5 "a
s5OO,OlO'OO
Wilding. Marshall,
Backus & Hines,
tract sewers. ....... 1891, 2O9 As
Extra allowance
to date. S,lOO w
To cash to date. i SS,036 6S
streets ....... sos 30
Balance .. 250674 AZ
s339,sO9 A. $685., 300 45
To balance in sewer ~.
fund. .............. SSo4,Ooo d
Balance due contrac.
tors on completion 25n,674 ~
Leaving net bal
ance.. ........... SlUo,fll VI
Bid on outfall sew
erS ......... $500. 5%,Iff 90