The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-22
POINT OUT DEFECT
Insurance Men Say Water Plant
Is Inadequate.
Three Features Which Fall
Below Requirements.
NOT ENOUGH BOILERS.
The Pumping Capacity Is Not
Large Enough.
Principal Main, They Say, Isn't
Large Enough.
NOT ENOUGH BOILERS.

Jos. G. Hubbel and WILDER D. Perry
two insurance men, have at the request
Of the Kansas Fire Prevention associa-
tion. made an examination Of the To-
pel5a Waterworlzs, and report that in
their opinion the plant is deficient in
three particulars:
1. insufficient boiler power.
2. Insufficient pumping capacity.
3. Not large enough main from the
,,,,rnnine station to Kansas avenue.
The committee recommends the pur-
chase Of two additional 250 horsepower
boilers. one additional 100000 gallon
pump. and the construction of new
24-incb main from the pump house to
Kansas avenue.
It is also recommended that the city
purchase fire steamers and do not rely
Exclusively on direct pressure. PEND
ing such purchase it is suggested that
the Harrison street pumping Statloh De
nut in condition for emergency use.
It can be taken for granted that
these suggestions of the insurance men
are about as radical as could be made
bv ANYBODY, because the insurance
companies are naturally interested IN
having the fire service brought up to
the very highest possible point or ef1-
There is not a bit of doubt that if
the city could make all the changes
recommended it would be of great ad-
vantage to the city's fire protection.
The expense would be very heavy. 1t
has been expected that it would cost
from $780, 900 to $4,000 to put the plant
in good condition, but the improve
ments proposed by the insurance men
would run it up to perhaps ten times
this sum.
As Tar as the present condition of the
plant IS concerned, it is to be observed
that the only criticism made by the
experts is that the waterheads of the
pumps are worn, and that there is
sIippage in the pumps. These are the
defects which are now being repaired
by the water company. Apparently the
experts think that the city is getting
about what it agreed to pay $500, 900 for.
and that it is up to the city to make
the needed improvements to the plant
as soon as it gets possession.
The report in full is as follows:
Topeka, Kan, Feb. 10, 1904.
Chas. F. Hardy, President Kansas Fire
Prevention Association, Topeka Kan
sas.
Dear Sir:-In compliance with your
request for an investigation and report
on the waterworks system of the city
OF Topeka, we beg to submit the fol-
lowing:
The waterworks system is at present
owned by a private company. Its pur-
chase by the city is contemplated.
The plant consists of a station at the
foot of Harrison street, and another on
the river about three miles west of
Kansas avenue. The Harrison street
station has an approximate pumping
capacity of 100000 gallons per "a hours,
but since the flood of May, 1903, this
plant has been entirely abandoned. Its
equipment consists of three 60 HIP boil
ers and two old-style quadruplex Holly
engines rated at 11a million gallons per
day each.
The old system of piping is gridironed
from this station as a center and is
ample to carry the supply from this
source.
At times the A. T. & S. F. railway