The times., 1899-01-15
FOR CLEANER STREETS.
The Furniss Machine May Be Given
Trial Here.

1t is understood that the owners of the
new Furniss street sweeping machine.
which is now in use in several of the
larger cities. may within a short time give
an exhibition of the machine for the bene-
fit of the District Commissioners and 9TH
ers interested in having the city thoroughly
and properly cleaned. The Furniss ma
chine people are endeavoring TO obtain the
contract for cleaning the Washington
streets for the coming year.
The Furniss machine has been success
ful elsewhere and has many friends in the
cities where il is now in use, but it is al
most unknown in Washington. 1t is be
lieved by those who have investigated it
that it may prove especially adapted TO
conditions as they exist here. Residents
generally Will wait for the public trials of
the Furniss with much interest.
In general way the advantages of the
Furniss device may be stated TO be its
large capacity, which obviates the neces-
sity of frequent dumpings; its noiseless-
ness, its steam process for dampenIng the
/ street and preventing dust. and, chiefly, its
! effectiveness in cleaning
The machine operates by means of steel
| brushes in front, which thoroughly loosen
| all dirt from the paving; by a strong air
blast from the outer edges Of the mecha-
| nism, which forces the dirt into the le-
ceptacle, and by steam blast, which
! dampens the gathered refuse and prevents
| ii from escaping.
The machine is much more massive
than others that Washington has been ac-
quainted with. On a heavy frame work
| is a ten horse power boiler an eight
horsepower engine and a 4O-inch fan, to-
gethcr with cylinder for arresting the
| blast of dust Underneath is the large
dirt conveyor, which accommodates two
cubic yards OF dirt when filled. In the
| front there is water and coal storage
with which to operate the machine
Under the machine, between the two
pair of wheels. is suspended canvas hood
provided with small iron wheels on which
it travels when dropped down against the
surface of the pavement. At the same
| time, the outer wall of the canvas drags
upon the pavement and prevents the es-
cape of the air pressure. There is also a
small jet OF dead steam thrown in the in
side of the hood, Just sufficient TO dampen
the surface of the street to prevent the
machine creating dust as IT passes along.
The air current is led from the fan
through a series OF apertures and strikes
the pavement at the outside rim of the
hood. leaving a large centre space TO ac-
commodate the dirt of the street. The
force OF the current takes up the dirt and
forces it up the dust fiue into galvan-
lied iron spiral, where the stream of dirt
|
into the conyeyer below.
The working of the machine consists in
having the engine run to a sufficient speed
to cause the fan to make 800 revolutions
per minute. This creates very severe
! air pressure upon the surface of the street
and the dirt is forced up through the fue
and settles described above.
The machine is drawn by two, three OF
four horses as conditions and inclines OF
the streets demand they having nothing
TO do but draw the machine along The
machine weighs, When empty, about $500
pounds.
The operation OF dumping the machine
is a simple one and the dirt can be dumped
on smooth side of the street. where II
can be entirely taken up with shovels and
brooms. Owing TO the large quantity Of
cieanings carried in the machine. it is MOI
dumped frequently and the noise of the
starting and stopping Of the carts ant