The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-07-18
WASH STREETS.
Method of Thoroughly Drench-
ing Pavements is Proposed.
Would Do Away Entirely With
the "Whits Wings"
NEW PLAN NEEDED.
Business Streets Are Not Now
Kept Clean.
The Residence Street Pavements
Are Never Flushed.

A street washing apparatus VIII pro
baby suppaant the white wings On
the streets OF Topeka In the near fu-
ture. It all depends upon the question
Of whether the waterworizs win pass
into city ownership. An apparatus for
thoroughly flushing and washing the
streets is in successful operation in
Kansas city and the matter has been
agitated here.
The apparatus consists OF long iron
frame wagon to which the horses are
attached just before the rear wheels
The eontrivance is guided by a lever in
front. Over the front wheels is a pivot
on which swings a long iron pipe upon
the extreme end Of which is fastened Il
nozzle. The pipe is connected at the
rear end with a hose running from a
FIRE hydrant and as the wagon is push
ed through the streets the pipe is swung
from one side to the other Of the street
and the water forcing through the noz-
zle with great force effectually cleanses
the street
some of the members of the council
and the streets and walks committee OF
the council said Councilman Weber
today have had this matter under
consideration 1t has been unanimously
decided that the plan is an excellent
one and we hope to see it adopted EooE-
ter he continued, and have decided
to recommend the adoption Of this plan
when the WaterWorxs plant passes into
the control of the city. The water
works company OF course will not fur
nish the water free as is now the case
with the work Of the white wings each
morning in washing the cutters.
This work is of course all done at
night, probably after II a'clock. II the
plan is adopted there could be no fur
Their use for the white wings in the
day time, and their services could be
utilized for the purposes Of washing
the streets at night
THE business streets Of the city
would of course be thoroughly washed
each night, while some of the avenues
in the residence portion OF the city
which are not now treated to a cleans
ing process. could be washed once each
week
1T would make wonderful differ
ence in the sanitary conditions of the
streets of the city. Under the system
OF cleaning our streets now in vogue,
much of the refuse is not carried away
the eprankl1ng wagons causes a disa-
greeable yapor to arise from the pave
mentE at times. This is perhaps noticed
more particularly during the heat OF
the day, but is an unpleasant factor at
all times. Then the dying dust is la
den with disease germs to a greater ex-
tent than 1t would be, should the streets
be thoroughly drenched each night.
Il believe as soon as the people of
the city learn of the movement to adopt
such a method of keeping the streets
clean, there will be .. popular senti-
ment created in favor of it and the
matter viii not be allowed to go ur-
noticed until some action is taken on
it by the council.
of course as soon as the city owns
the waterworks there would be no d.
rect outlay OF cash for water for this
purpose, and the work could be carried
out very reasonably"
Mayor Hughes has expressed his ap-
prevail Of such a plan and the scheme
would certainly meet with the APPROX
al and sanction of the sanitary board.