The daily morning Alaskan., 1899-05-09
Two More Expected Before
 Tonight.
PROBLEM SOLVED
Manager Eastman Diligently at Work on the Mains and skag. wny Now Has sAbsoiute Fire Pro. lee lon. - Mains VIII Be sunk During May.-severai Buiidings Now Have Water.

"We are in a position tonight 10 throw three good dreams of water to any portion of the business center of the eItv." said Superintendent Eastman, of the water works. last evening. "When Captain Moore gets his hvdrant in we will have in addition to the one in front of my office, five hydrlnts. The citizens have bern very patient SO far, and if they will only wait q very few more days there will be good fire protection all along Holly street
 "l am asked the question repeatedly why do not at once commence digging up the mains for the purpose of thawing out and sinking to a greater depth. There are two important reasons: There Is more water in the ground at this time of veir to interfere with work, and principally be- cause in view Of the high winds that l un derstand will prevail all this month. do not deem it safe 10 break the mains. which will be necessary in lowering them, at a time when high wind and no water would mean the destruction of the town.
 "It is business proposition with us. We have s45,ooo invested, which has not yet earned one per cent. Therefore YOU gan readily see that we are even more anxious than the citizens to get our water system in working order throughout the eltv and again derive a revenue. We are pushing the work as fast as possible and every thing is being done that tan be-"
 Manager Eastman of the water company has been diligently at work on the water mains the past week, and as a result oi ms abors Skagway now has absolute fire pro teetion. The main on Third avenue Is in good working order and yesterday pri- vate fire plug was put in front of the water company's office. Beside 200 feet Of Pinch hose available at the depot, there is fifty feet at the water office ready for immediate use. The water at this point has so much torce that 1t takes two men to handle the hose. That part of the town has therefore very good protection, as the plug at State md Fourth avenue. or Clavson's corner, Is also ready for action.
 Up Broadway the water runs nearly to sixth avenue and bv tonight 1t Is ex' peeteI 10 reach there. Next 1t will be In the main on Sixth avenue. On Broadway the fire plug at the corner of Broadway and Fourth avenue is now open and proba- bly, before night the plug at Fifth avenu; aLd Broadway will be open.
 On State street. the main Is open to Captain MoOre's residence between Fourth and Fifth avenues. Al seven o'clock last night the service pipes leading from the main to his house were thawed out and to- day he will have water in his residence. On State street there are three plugs open' one on State and Third avenue, which has already been mentioned, another at State and Fourth avenue, and private plug in front of Captain Moore's residence. which has one hundred feet of hose connected with {. The plug at Fifth avenue and State street will most likely be in working order before night. From these hydrants the entire fire district of Skagway has ab- solute fire protection.
 With the five plugs already open and a possibility of two more being opened at least three streams of water could be thrown on any part of the business district.
 Several buildings now have eitv water. The pipes in the Branniek hotel thawed out unassisied yesterday, and the arrival of water W sa welcome surprise to all.
 1t was the same in the Golden North hotel. Its pipes were among the flrst to freeze last winter. and yesterday when the faucets were opened water flowed, to the relief of all. Several days ago the service pipe in the KIondIke Trading companv's building were thawed out. Al grst the water ran very slowly, but now there is 20 od pressure. A. Bloom has had men at wo,k thaw ing out the service pipes lead | ing to his building on Broadway and yes terday he W rewarded with water. Last Sunday stand pipe al the corner of Sec ond avenue and Broadway was erected to be used to fill the water wagon. In eases of emergency this also could be used for fire protection.