Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-09-09
The Testimony Before Gardiner
Appraisers.
Progress Of the Hearing for the Past
Few Days.
important Witnesses are Put Upon the
Stand.

mission was continued, Saturday morn
ing, with Mr. Card, the chemist and
meteorological expert, of Troy, N. Y.
on the stand.
The question of filtration was care
fully considered, touching the possibili-
ties OF impurities reaching the lake or
stream from houses and stables, ON its
banks, within IS or 100 feet of the shore.
In the course of the examination, it was
demonstrated that the nature of the
pan or subsoil, largely settled the ques-
ton, as to how easily the process could
rid the surface water of its pollution:
if sandy, it was facilitated; if rock, re-
tarded. The pitch of the land was also
a great factor Chemical and bacteri-
illogical analysis alone could determine
the question of presence or absence of
germs, and samples of the water were
accordingly taken from below the dam
at the outlet of Cobbosseecontee, the
pumping station, and several from the
faucets of the system. Some of these
We're taken Feb. II, when at ice break
up time, they show an extreme con-
iition because of the flood of surface
water and will then reveal disease
germs if present. The result showed
the number of bacteria per cubic cent?
meter, especially bacillus colocommun-
us, which come from human intestines
to be exceedingly small, and there was
no indication of disease-bearing germs,
the water therefore being excellent for
A iY1,at a,
is weight equal to one dram of water, or
one-half the capacity of a womans
thmble. In testing the water is intro
1uced between plates that have been
sterilized 8 days, into a composition
that is food for the bacteria. Reduced
20 lower temperature, it forms jelly
like substance and the bacteria gather
ing it's own kind into colonies, feeds
upon it and in short time can be ex-
amined with ease, and character deter
mined. Ordinary bacteria harmless in
character, fill the air and are breathed
INTO the lungs by millions At the
pumping station there We're 316 to each
cubic centimeter and at the faucets, POS
% each cubic centimeter, Il loss of los
N passing through the system, and it
he more perfect will be its publication.
In reference to their harmfullness, a
million of them could be present with
10 evil results if they were the same
variety as those breathed in the air,
where they could be more dangerous
han if in the water. No typhoid germs
ire present according to investigation.
The water is slightly alkalied with cal
'ium carbonate, but would have no ac-
ion on the interior of coated cast iron
pipes such rs are used in water mains.
examination OF the soil through which
he pipe passes, to discover whether it
IS acid, alkali or neutral. revealed clay,
sand, or sand and clay in the eXcava-
lions which are neutral, not producing
corrosion. Mr.. Card had spent some
line in sanitary inspection of the shores
u Cobbosseecontee and the stream, and
considered the swamp land of no men
1cing size of Importance Under the
,ross-eXamination of Mr.. Littlefield, he
admitted that he had not seen Emei,y's
open drain or Pinkhams cesspool at
the Outlet. differentiated condition of
pipe has been extensively studied, but
Mr.. Card admitted there is a profound
Inference of opinion in regard to the
matter, and it is entirely theoretical at
present.
No two cases are similar and he had
never seen pipe subjected to the local
conditions for Is years, so there was
no parallel case to cite. When there is
olslntegration of pipe from alkali, rust
IS formed. He had seen several pipes
exposed but could not tell the interior
condition, and did not know how long
had been laid. Could tubercules be
created in the system and so proved
MS theory would fall to the ground.
Pleasant Pond is well suited to filtera-
tlon, put the presence of cottages close
TO the water was apparently no objec-
tlon as the water test was excellent.
IN the winter when the pan becomes
frozen and therefore removes nothing
by filteration and the floods and heavy
rams of spring release surface matter
the danger zone about pond and
is sensibly increased. Frozen
matter may then be carried
great distances before being liberated
to work evil, though ice reduces harm
Ful bacteria 9S to 80 per sent. Some
''itsS was ldlu on Horseshoe Pond as
4 place where standardization might
lake place. but on cross examination.
me witness confessed he had never
seen 1t except on the map, and if the
stream flowed by one side instead of
.hrougn this small estuary, it of course
decreases the value of the place as the
scene OF this process. The upper layer
II water in the ponds would be pushed
nto currents according to direction
md force of the wind. When interro-
gated by Chief Justice Wiswell as to
low long disease gem would live in
'ipes like these mains, the witness re-
'lied probably not more than two
lays" and Mr.. Littlefieid interpolated
possibly three weeks" A typhoid
'atient in a nearby house might be
menace unless care was taken to kill
ne germs. but this was neither con-
eded by Mr.. Card or denied II
A section of 4-inch cast iron pipe,
our 1eet long. taken from the main for
Inspection was here introduced as evil
ehce' and as it stood on end Mr.. Lit
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