The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-12-15


the first avasied Itself of the services Of
engineers of the Geological Survey. who
examined the plans and visited the towns
10 study the local conditions. Their serv-
ices were seen also called for in con-
nection with the numerous bridges. large
and small, in the counties, payable from
the town-lot funds. 1t became apparent
that this demand for engineering services
was rapidly increasing. and that very
probably the entire time of several en-
gineers would be required when actlIa
construction of important works was be
gun. as the department must be repre-
scented on the ground by its engineers act
ing as superintendent of construction
On April q. 1903. upon his own reccnl-
nendations. author lied and directed the
chief engineer, Geological Survey. to CO.
operate with the local authorities in initi-
ating work on public improvements. and
in the preparation of plans, estimates.
and specifications. having in mind at all
times the total fund to be expended for
that purpose.
Since that time very marked progress
has been made. Plans ard specifications
have been revised and approved for three
school buildings at Anadarko, and bids
Hereunder advertised for; plans and
specifications for ore school house at
Lawton and for one at Hobart, also for
court houses and jails at Anadarko. Ho-
CART. and Lawton, are in course of prep
arations. Plans have been approved and
proposals accepted for six tool-prof jail
cells, and a temporary Jail 10 he e-e tel
at Anadarko in time for the November,
1900, term OF district court, and a no
posal has been accepted for the erection
of six jails al Hobart, in time for the
February, 1901, Germ of district court.
| Plans have been approved for a water
! works system at Hobart. and the con-
tract will be let and work begun as soon
as possible after the city has raised adj
ditional sum it has undertaken to provide.
The Department received and oonsid-
cred plans and specifications for the wa
ter works system at Anadarko. but with
held approval because it was learned on
investigation that the water of the
Washita river, which the plans proposed
TO use as a source OF supply, If OF very
poor. quality, and would probably prove,
in dry seasons, TO be insufficient in guam
tity. Upon learning this, further investi-
cations were taken up by engineers of
the Geological Survey and have been
carried on as rapidly as possible To the
present time for the purpose of finding a
suitable supply. Thirteen test wells have
been drilled. from which the yield has
been found 10 average 4 gallons per min
ute each. the best flowing l3 gallons. per
minute. The engineers estimate that TO
supply a population of 1900 there would
1n.a III.
best one. spaced 100 feet apart, in row
at right angles to the general direction o.
flow in the waterbearing stratum OF
fine sand found Al that location The
establishing of such a system, the engin-
( GERS state. would entail costs OF land
damages and pumping plant which alone.
/ in view OF the limited funds available,
would render it an undesirable PROPOSE
ton from 4 business standpoint
Although the results so far are rot all
that had been hoped for. the examina-
tons will be continued as long as ihers
is any prospect of success. IN the mean
time authority has been given for the
| construction OF system TO consist Of
water mains and Ere MIGRANTS, connect
ed with an elevated storage tank to be
tial system will afford some protection in
case of fire. and can later be utilized in
the complete waterworks system which
it is intended 20 construct at snadarzo.
At the city OF Lawton, also. the ques-
ton of water supply has been and is a
very serious problem.
On September IS 1902. the Department
approved a request of the mayor and
city council of Lawton for authority to
incur for an Indebtedness of $500 pay
able OUT OF the town-:ot fund for the
purpose of employing a certain engineer
to locate a water supply and prepa; e
plans and specifications for water works
ard sewerage for the city. The local
authorities At once engaged the engineer,
and when his plans and specifications
were received. advertised for bids there
Hereunder without first submitteins the
plans and specifications to the Depart
ment for approval.
On December S. 1892. the Department
received through the government OF Okla
homa, for approval, contract for the
construction of the water works, in the
sum of Sl04.9S9 together with Il record
of the proceedings of the city authorities
letting the contract.
on December II. 1902. the Department
also received. through the governor. the
plans and specifications for said water
works.
The contract and accompanying papers
were promptly taken up by the Depart
ment for examination. and the plans and
specifications were referred 10 the Di-
rector OF the Geological Survey with In
structions to place them in the hands OF
one II his engineers competent 70 rass
upon them for an early report as TO the
propriety OF adopting the engineering lea
lures embodied therein.
In examining the contract and accom-
panying papers it was observed that the
price named by the successful bidted and
stipulated in the contract was about S1,-
600 III excess OF the asgregate of the low
est bids received on the several parts into
which the engineer had divided the con-
s,r7Iction work Tn city authorities were
at once called or. through the governor.
to state fully and clearly their reasons
for accepting this additional charge over
and above the lowest bids received for
/ furnishing The materials and erecting The
plant under separate proposals \ let
Ter of reply from the city clerk dated
/ December Is. 1859. was received. The ex-
plantations therein were found unsatis-
factory. and the contract. by depart
mental letter OF January 9. 1875 was dis
approved and rejected in the same LEI
ter the local authorities were advised to
defer readvertisiRs for bids until the De-
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