Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-07-30
CITY DADS HOME.
Weeks Inspection Of Reservoir
Systems.
IMPRESSIONS OF OTHER TOWNS.

Valuable Information Gained and Most
Hospisabls Treatment Received as the
Hands ofths Omcials-Ald. Denbsr Lost
1t Council HUFF.
Mayor T. J. Medill. Jr., Health
Commissioner J. P. Comegys. Super
intendent of Water WORKS J. A. MUIR
rim and Aids. ]. c. Surman, G. A.
johnson and B. Winter arrived at z
o'clock this morning over the Bur
liDgton road after . weeks tour of
inspection Of reservoirs. Aid. Dauber
did not arrive with the others.
He was lost from the party
at Council Bluffs about 5 O'Clock
yesterday afternoon, the train having
palled out while he was purchasing
sandwiches alta nearby lunch counter.
The municipal party is much
pleased over the ideas gained on its
trip, which will be invaluable in
connection with the installment of
Rock Islands proposed reservoir
plant. and is alike enthusiastic with
the hospitality of the officials of the
cities visited. The party first went
to Peoria, and from there to St.
Louis. and then to East St. Louis,
Quincy, St. Joe. Omaha and Council
Bluffs. At each place a thorough
inspection Of the reservoir was made,
and any spare time was given to
looking over the public buildings,
parks and improvements.
I'VE found" said Mayor Medill,
"that in tho towns along the Mis-.
souri, river that the reservoirs are
used for settling purposes. being di-
vided by partition walls. These
cause the separation of the water
from great deal Of the foreign mat
ter before the 6lteriDg process 10
begun. The water Of the Missouri is
terribly dirty. and it would in all
probability strangle the filters il they
we're to handle direct from the river.
The result of the double process is q
quality of water as clear as crystal.
Rock Island's Plan.
The compartment reservoir is
what we will in all probability have
in Rock Island; that is in the event
OF the carrying out of the plans
which are at present under consider
alton. and which also favor the plac-
ing Of the iiltering plant on the bluff
region. The idea is this, and it is
being adopted by all cities whose wa
ter supply is furnished from the
river. The water by the time it
passes through a reservoir of say
four compartments, has left no
less than IS per cent Of
sediment, which has settled at the
bottom of the basin, behind.
The stream into the filters, which
are stationed contiguous to the
reservoir, is clear, and fit for use
without further treatment. But the
passage through the filteripg tubs
insures a pure crystal article, and
the location gives to the water aera-
ton, sunlight, motion and filtra-
ton"
The mayor stated that in Quincy
they now have . small settling basin
at the waterworks where IS per cent
OF the foreign matter is separated
from the water, and the fi!terinp is
done by three tubs, whereas before
it required IA. The mayor stated
that recommendations with refer
ence to the proposed reservoir would
be made at next Monday nights
regular meeting of the council.
The committee was delighted with
the park systems, at Peoria in par
ticular, where there is one SIM
liar to that which Rock Island
and Moline are seeking to in
augurate. The city fathers were
likewise pleased with the public
buildings. improvements, etc, which
they saw, and returned with abund-
ant Information which will be help
full to them and the city in the
future. In street improvements,
Mayor Mediu states that bina.
ton OF cement curb and gutter
is quite extensively used. Peoria
and St. Louis have it. 1t adds a
pleasing effect to the appearance OF
the street. aud Mayor Medill is as.
sured is very durable and is proving
satisfactory wherever used.
The Omaha Bee in speaking of the
committees visit to that CITY saws
that 1.-The party is making q tour of
several cities. investigating the res
ervoir system Of pressure in connec-
ton with waterworks. Rock Island
has had only the direct pressure
plant, and the council is considering
the advissbility Of building reser-
voirs, but before doing so these Off
GERS decided to make these investi-
cations. The party will visit the
reservoirs in Florence today and also
the one in Council Bluffs"
Ala. Dsubor Arrives
Aid. Dauber arrived coatless at
$50 .. m. on the Rock Island, hav-
Ing caught the eastern express short.
~ after the departure OF the train
bearing the municipal party. The
incident was the occasion for much
Amusement to Aid. Daube fellow
travellers. Aid. johnson also came
near being left. He chased the train
about . block and just caught the
rear coach. Aid. Dauber was warned
that he would be left IL he did not