The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-01-20


ward securing the site for a new bury
ing ground
The disposition of the waste matter Of
he city is also a health problem that
should be disposed of The crematory,
which has been in unsatisfactory working
order almost since its erection, has out
lived its usefulness and for some months
the streets and lanes department has been
compelled to haul the garbage and other
waste two or more miles from the city
for q dumping ground. In order to de-
termne whether recent improvements had
perfected cremators to a point where sat
isfactory results could be guaranteed, a
special committee of Council was appoint
ed to visit several cities and inspect the
apparatus of different patterns. This
committee mas presented a report, which
accompanies this and which should be taxi
en- up for consideration as soon as practi-
cable. If, as the committee reports, a
crematory cannot be found that will do
the work required, ii would be we'll for
Council TO take steps to secure the re-
moval of the city's waste further
emit Il is apparent that the
continued dumping of the waste near
the city cannot continue indefinitely 1 is
unsatisfactory and proba bly,, TO some ex-
tent at least, prejudicial to the public
health. The suggestion of the health Of
ficer that covered wagons be used for the
removal of garbage is also worthy of IA
vorable consideration.
The House Drainage Work.
The present administration found the
house drainage system under construction
in an unsatisfactory state. No outlet had
been provided for the eastern portion of
the city. While the plan contemplated put
ting the outlet at the foot of Reynolds
street. no right of way had been secured
and property owners in the vicinity seri-
ously objected to the plan being carried
out in this respect. 1t was further found
that about one-half of the sewage of the
city would be emptied in the river at the
foot of West Broad street, passing in
front of the entire city This was con-
sidered highly Objectionable by the health
authorities and others. To meet the ap-
paTently well grounded objections it was
found necessary to alter the plans in es-
sential respects. Under the modified plan
only about one-quarter of the sewage will
be emptied al West Broad street and the
remainder will be carried to the river at
the mouth of the Bilbo canal, which is
over half-mile below the outlet originally
contemplated.
As you are aware, the contra ctors,
Messrs. Miles & Bradt, without any pre-
vious notice, threw up their contract with
the city. AS the city had compiled with
all of its obligations TO them. their unex-
pected refusal TO carry on the work can
only be attributed to the rapid advance in
the price of materials. In view of the de-
cidedly unsatisfactory experience had with
them and previous contractors. 1t was
deemed best for the city to undertake the
work itself BY prompt action the city
was enabled to begin in time 10 absorb the
entire appropriation for the year, the re-
suits so far being all that could be de-
re- al 70 ~
system will be entirely completed by the
city without the further intervention of
contractors. An appropriation of $S1 900
has been made for the present year. II
is estimated that a further expenditure
of $4,000 will be required to finish the
system, which should be in readiness for
use in its entirety by January 1902
Other Public improvements.
The large expenditures for house
drainage and opening streets have pre-
vented other public Improvements on an
extensive scale. This must necessarily
be the case during the coming year also
The magnitude of the house drainage
work, and its vital Importance as n
health measure justify the curtailiug of
other new work in order that 1t NAV lie
pressed 10 completion as speedily as pos
sibe Street paving during the year was
confined TO a small area. Vitrified brick.
which has met The expectations Of It's ad-
Vocates. was used for paving st. Jul an
street from the market to Whitaker street.
Congress street lane from Barnard to
Drayton, and Wheaton street from Dixon.
Mitchell & Co 5 mill to Waters road. The
comparative cheapness of this material
the cas- with which repairs are made. and
the lcssened cost Of maintenance and Of
cleaning. are bringing il into use els
where TO a greater extent year after year.
4 1,a f,aer 7
further use of it in Savannah. Gwinnett
street should be paved to give easy acces
10 the city lots, as well as TO prov de a
fine roadway in that section of the city. I
would also recommend, If the appropria-
ton permits, the paving of West Broad
street from the end of the present paving
to the new railroad terminals and tn a
continuation of the jefferson street paving
to the city limits. As the traffic on The
latter beyond the present granite blocks
" III not be very heavy brick would answer
all purposes
In opening streets the work was of an
extensive character Purchases were mac e
aggrt eating over 10000 square feet The
chairman has given much time to a study
of the situation. ara has furnished a va
liable report of the work of his commit
lee. from which II appears that further
expenditures of between 1925. eco ana $50 90
0O0 will be required to open ID all streets
within the present limits l consider f.
advisable to open streets as rapidly as the
citv's finances VIII permit 1t is now ev-
ident that the CITY has been forced 10 pay
out many thousands of dollars which
might have been saved by purchases TO-
this purpose a few years ago The
growth of the city precludes the ide1
yhat there will be any drop in values of
real estate. The fact is to be faced that
Savannah is steadily broadening its built
. a
tinued along their proper lines, and econ
omy. as well as the public's other inter
osts. dictate that the purchasing of the
necessary land be done as soon as possible.
The completion of the house drainage
work will apparently leave large sum
available for this purpose after next year.
1t can hardly be put to a wiser use. 1t
win also permit of The granting of larger
appropriation to the efficient Park and
Tree Commission for the expansion of its
work Of beauufying the city. The new
streets will require shade trees and as the