The Washington times., 1905-08-15

The first important step toward check
ing the typhoid fever epidemic was
taken today. when two filtration beds.
having a capacity of 5000 900 gallons per
diem were turned on. adding their sup
ply of pure water 10 the city's mains.
The water was turned on early this
morning.
Commissioners Macfarland went to the
filtration plant. accompanied by Acting
Superintendent Garland. Of the District
Water Department, and was shown over
the plant by Lieutenant Dent, corps of
engineers. L. s A. grandnephew of the
late Commissioner Josiah Dent who is
the officer on the works, and Mr.. Har-
dee. of his staff.
Mr.. Macfarland was shown the water
flowing into filter bed Nos. l and 5.
where it was turned on at o'clock this
morning in the presence of Colonel
Leach. Colonel Hoxie. and Lieutenant
Dent. and the $4,000, 90 gallons -per-day
pump. one of three of like canacity, at
work pumping in the water
Commissioner MacfarIand was told
that in order to begin operations today
gangs OF Workmen had worked for four
nights and on Sunday, besides the reeu-
lar time; everybody had taken the great
est interest and shown the greatest de-
sire TO get the water turned on as quick
Iy as possible.
Testing Will Take Several Days.
Two nlter beds were filled with water
today, and on an average one additional
filter bed will be filed every other day.
until the whole number necessary for
the water supply is in service. The pro-
cess of testing each filter and of sa fe-
guarding the connecting filters from con-
taTaination consumes several days, so
,aT lNe1, Al l,x
the first OF the filtered water is turned
into the distribution system, but after
that, on an average, an additional filter
bed will go into service every other day
reducing the danger from typhoid fever
and other germs by the minimum OF
S,0oo,o00 gallons of pure water per alter
bed Per day
Even more rapid progress may be
made later on in putting the filter beds
into service. until the entire number
filter beds are now practically ready TO
be connected up as rapidly as that can
be done.
Will Reduce Danger.
Mr.. MacfarIand was asked by a
Times reporter as 10 the effect which
will be produced by mixing 5000. 600 gal
Ions of pure water into 60.000000 or
more gallons OF unfltered water The
Commissioner said that there would
be no noticeable effect in respect 10
the appearance OF the water. At the
present time the water is quite clear
AS TO the effect upon the circulation
of typhoid fever germs, Mr.. Macfar-
land is quite sanguiue.
There is just that muoh less contami-
mated water, he said. If YOU take a
gallon of whisky and begin to dilute
il with water, it becomes weaker and
less dangerous upon each diluton. So
Il IS in the case of the water supply
Each time a bed Is turned on, We get
60 gallons
there is a corresponding reduction in
the number OF fever germs
Win Be Mixed.
Mr.. MacfarIapd stated absolutely that
there was no thought of turning the fl
tered water into any particular section
of the city Quite a number of people
have suggested that IL would be a good
plan TO give one section the entire sup
ply OF pure water, and thereby put a
stop 70 the spread of typhoid fever in
that part of the city. but the filtered
and unflItered water Will be mixed in
one common chamber and sent 10 all
sections OF The city.
Six more beds may be completed this
week, and this will mean q, 10000 gal
Ions OF pure water for the people OF
Washington Calculating q daily con-
sumption of 60.O09 900 gallons. there will
be, therefore. a one-third reduction IN
The amount OF typhoid fever germs
transmitted through the water supply.
Commissioner Macfarland again reiter-
aIed the statement that the addition OF
pure water from the filtration plant
should not be an excuse for relaxed pre-
cautions in the way OF boiling water, etc
Fever Situation.
The fever situation continues to be Sc
rious While the number of cases re-
ported this morning was not near So
large as yesterday. it is quite probable
that there win be a big addition IN the
reports coming in after noon
Since yesterday at noon, II new cases