The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-10-22


gas that escaped from the hole in the
pipe the cause of the epidemic?
Charles Heller, a foreman in the en-
ploy of Conrad Schroeder, admitted at
Thursday nights investigation that he
tapped the pipe. and he charged George
w. Clark, heating and ventilating en-
gineer for Hunt g. Connell, with sug-
gesting to him that such would be as
good a way as any to get rid of the
water in the air duct. Be it remem-
bered that Mr.. Heller is a br!cklaver.
and supposing that Mr.. Clark could
not be mistaken he acted upon the sug-
gestion.
Mr.. Clark was the first witness called
last night, and not only did he en-
phatically deny Heier's assertion, but
also said that he became furious when
he heard the sewer pipe was tapped.
He went to Mr.. Hunt and urged that
a letter be written protesting against
this way of getting rid of the water
in the duct.
The specifications of the heating and
Ventilating contract called for a tenn
perature of 20 degrees in every room
in the building no matter what the
weather was. There were two upstairs
rooms in which the temperature could
not be raised above Ga degrees at the
ordinary speed of the fan, because the
water in the duct reduced the space
and volume of air that much less.
William Cleary, foreman i'm the
plumbing department Of Hunt e. Con-
nell. was examined but his testimony
served in no way to elucidate the ques-
tion as to who is the one responsible.
MR.. HUNTS TESTIMONY.
A. T.. Hunt asked through Attorney
John f. Scragg to be permitted to tes-
tify. At Thursday nights session Mr..
Hunt stated that last fall he wrote a
letter to Mr.. Schroeder about the water
in the duct. His attention was called
to it by his steam-fitting engineer, he
thought. Mr.. Hunt had learned that
suggestion to tap the sewer pipe and
let the water out was made. and his
answer was contained in that letter.
Mr.. Scragg asked him if he had a copy
Of the letter and he pulled from his
pocket and read the following:
Scranton. Pa, Dec 81, 1897.
Mr., Conrad Schroeder.
Dear Sir: We notice that at No. 15 and
NO. Is school buildings in attempting to
:.
you are making a direct communication
from duct to sewer. This, of course, will
take care of the water. but is it not a
dangerous thing TO do? 1t certainly is
dangerous and against the city ordinance.
This work at ducts should be so done
that the water docs not get into the Duct.
rms Is what the original plan and speci-
hcatlons contemplated. Indeed, they are
very specific in regard to this.
II, however, the plan Won a ra odppiipcr
is approved by Architect Duckworth the
BOARD OF control, and building inspector,
we, of course, will have to be quiet in
regard to the matter, although il will lie
n disappointment to us II the ducts are
not made absolutely water tight. If what
you are doing at the ducts at present is
considered only temporary YOU should. at
least, have trap of 3-lnch pipe not less
than 10 inches deep, to overcome the air
pressure in the ducts throwing the wa .or
from trap to sewer. Yours very truly.
y. L. Hunt, General Manager.
WROTE THE LETTER.
Miss Myra p. Decker, stenographer
and typewriter in the office of Hunt
and Connell was sworn and corrobor-
ated Mr.. Hunt The letter was die
tated to her and she forthwith copied
1t and presented it to him for his sig ..
nature. She could not swear positively
to remembering the letter but knows
there was such a one, as she found
1t among the files.
Mr.. Schroeder, as on the preceding
night. swore that no such letter was
received by him. He and his book
Keeper hunted for three hours through
the files and failed to find record of
it, Every business letter he receives
is filed away for reference Moreover,
he has no recollection of ever receiy-
ing the letter, and he swOre positive
ly that he would remember it now if
it was received
Fred Heller, a brother of the man
who tapped the pipe, swore that he
saw his brother and Mr.. Clarke come
out of the duct oneday. When Mr..
Clarke went away the witness was told
by his brother the water would have
to be got rid of by a trench to the
sewer and that Mr.. Clark thought It
would be all right.
Janitor Roberts was called by Mr..
Scraggg to offset Mr.. Heiers testimony.
The janitor was asked if Mr.. Heller.
the foreman, had not gone to him
after Mr.. Clark had left and asked
about the location of the sewer pipe,
Foreman Heller swore Thursday night
that Clark not only suggested this
as a good way to get rid of the water.
but took the pains to locate the sewer
pipe for him. The janitor could not
swear positively.
Mr., Duckworth, Superintendent of
Repairs Harvey, and George Bull, an
the other witnesses.
EXPERT TESTIMONY.
Architect Paul b. Beln was called
by Mr.. Welles 10 give expert testimony
on sewer gas, based principally on Mr.
Belins visit to Paris; one of the scenes
of interest in that center OF fashion
being boat rides in the sewers. The
main pipes are so large that boats
ply on the murky waters of the sewers
and yet the people who daily make
this trip do not seem any the worse
for their subterranean confinement for
several hours. This was for the pur-
pose of showing that sewer gas is not
so vile after all.
Mr.. Jayne objected to the introduce
ton Of expert testimony on this sub