The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-22
Delegates Listen to Papers by James
ID. Nelson, +. a. w. Davis, c. c.
Brown and others.
WATER is GROWING DEARER
COST OF SUPPLY CONSTANTLY IN
CREAsING, MR. DAVIS SAYS.
Merits OF Wooden Block Pavements
Discussed by Mr.. NeIson-Excur-
sion I'm the Afternoon.

One OF the principal sessions of the
convention being held by the American
Society of Municipal improvements was
one held at the Commercial Club last night
when the members listened to half dozen
or more papers on different municipal
topics. Tt was indianapolis night" and
all OF the papers touched on municipal
affairs Of this city. The different ad-
dresses were illustrated by stereopticon
views which made them more interest
ing.
The first paper of the evening was by
James B. Nelson. of the engineering de-
partment who discussed 1.-The Paving
System of the City" He described the
earlier pavements of Indianapolis in the
days when the city could boast of but
5000 inhabitsnts. The modern paving sys-
TEN OF tho city can be said to have orig
mated in 1888, when Washington street
from Alabama street to Senate avenue was
paved with tar macadam known as vulcan
fte-~In 1889 an ordinance was passed for
the first sheet asphalt street in the city
Pennsylvania street from old Seventh TO
what was called Exposition avenue. now
Sixteenth street. The estimated average
cost OF standard asphalt pavements in
indianapolis at the present time, with a
nine-year guaranty. according to MIR. Mel
sons paper. is $40 a square yard, not in
GLIDING grading. while not, strictly
speaking. the first" said he. yet in a
nrst city in the United States TO build
creosoted wooden block pavements." The
paper discussed the general plan of street
ter and gave a detailed explanation for
the benefit OF the visitors of the work
ings OF the charter and the manner of
organizing the different boards.
MAINTENANCE OF PAYMENTS.
Discussing the maintenance of pave
ments. Mr.. Nelson said: Using a basis
the average character OF the, asphalt pave
raents built in this city, it is my opinion
that for maintaining the same after the
expiration of the nine-year guaranty period
the most economical plan In the end should
provide for an average repair fund OF about
10 cents per square yard per annum. BY
so doing and by making the repairs jul
diciously and at the proper time it will
be practicable TO maintain them for a fur
Their average period of six or seven years
This is approximately per cent. of the
original cost per anum. In Indianapolis at
the present time this would mean an avail
able yearly repair fund of $685. Mr.. Nell
son explained that Indianapolis has total
area OF Is: 35 square miles. From its north
ern boundary to its southern boundary it
measures boo miles; from east TO west 1t
measures 6.6I miles. The city has total
length Of streets of AS miles During the
reading OF this paper views of different
public buildings and streets of this city
closed with a reference to Lockerbie street.
A picture Of the street and of the Hoosier
poets home was given.
The Development of the Creodone Block
pavement" was next discussed by Mr..
Reilly. In describing Kreodone wooden
block as now constructed, Mr.. Reilly said:
1T Is a wooden block possessing great pow
ers or resistance, Interchangeable in char
acter and having an absorption of mois-
ture less tnan brick In the street the
blocks can be laid close together, and in
this way get the superior construction due
to the edges or the blocks supporting each
other, making practically continuous sur
face. No pavement, not even granite, will
wear as well kreodone block, as a result
OF experience In manufacture and public
use. Is now q street material which, besides
possessing the. conceded good points OF
wood. Is wholly Indifferent to wet, dry.
Charles c. Brown, editor of Municipal
er system OF Indianapolis, illustrating his
remarks with the stereopticon.
CITY'S WATER SUPPLY.
f. A. w. Davis, OF the Indianapolis
Water Company. read paper on the water
system OF this city and ON matters pertain
Ing to waterworks In general. His talk was
also Illustrated. He gave a history of the
Indianapolis company from its organization
TO the present time. giving an elaborate de-
scription OF what has been accomplished in
the way OF furnishing the city with water
The water at the present time is obtained
from thirty wells, Mr.. Davis said. They are
Of an average depth of go feet. Mr. Davis
contends that the value of water is steadily
increasing In most parts of the country by
reason OF the cost OF filtration and the
scarcity Of the supply. AT the present time
the water company has a contract with the
city In which the city agrees to pay Sl5 a
hydrant- In addition to furnishing fire
pressure, the company furnishes city water
free OF charge for a fountain in each of
house, station house, City Dispensary
water necessary TO flush and clean sewers
and improved streets, Tomlinson Hail. the
market houses and the City Hospital 1t is
also In the contract that the company shall
provide water for public baths. when estab-
lished- According to Mr.. Davis's figures
the company pays of its gross receipts a
fraction over per cent. for taxes, so that
out OF every 500 received. s. is paid for
taxes. The company takes deep interest
Ia its employees" Mr.. Davis said. ut re-
temperate. Some OF them have been with
the company between twenty and thirty
years Vacation is allowed them during the
year and during sickness their wages are
paid them. They are encouraged to own
their homes and the company has con-
slant anxiety for their welfare and that of
municipal ownership, where men know that
they have often received their appointment
through political influence and may be
changed when change in the political
situation occurs. The water company never
questions = mans politics nor his religion
and has respect for his views whether he
be a Democrat or a Republican, and he
may be either without fearing thaC his posi-
ton is In jeopardy.
NEW FILTER BEDS
Mr. Davis referred TO the laboratory and
filter beds for slow sand filtration that are
now beins constructed. and views of the
. work We're thrown on the canvas. He
talked also on stream pollution and inter-
ssted his hearers very much with a de-
scription OF what electrolysis is doing to
the water mains of the city, and he showed
pictures of mains with great ragged holes
eaten through them by electrolysis. There
Is no longer any doubt" said he "about
the destructiveness OF escaping currents
from street-car rails, and IL Is in this form
that you must deal with IL ia a vigorous
manner IL you would save millions OF dol
dars' worth or property. In this city
Hrought-iron mains have been DESTROYED
in a short time. Private service. both lead
and iron. have been destroyed within six
months after renewal On some OF the
mains the current Is great that they
become very warm and dangerous TO work
men," Mr.. Davis said the prevention OF
destruction by stray currents from rails Is
complete insulation OF the wires He thinks
the remedy should be applied by the own
ere OF roads using electric currents for
power and at their expense.
PARK SYSTEM
Park Commissioner Merritt gave a de-