The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-01-02
CITY DE 5T.

The gross debt was decreased during
the last fiscal year by the cancellation
and retirement of water bonds due July l,
ln0e helg by the board OF commissioners
OF sinking funds. Four hundred and two
thousand dollars OF FIVE per cent and
ninety thousand OF three per cent bonds
were thus cancelled The board IL en-
deavoring 10 purchase more OF the five
per cent bonds that they may be cancei-
cd thus anticipating the date OF matu-
rity. and saving a considerable sum In
interest.
The net decrease in the gross debt OF
the city for the year ending September
Both 1904 was $l05. $50. IS: the net increase
i'm the sinking fund 1921 .6i6 lO; and the to-
tai decrease I'm the net debt 1887 23l ~
THE CHANGE IN OUR TAX LAW
/ desire again to call the attention Of
the city council 10 the need Of a change
I'm our system OF taxation. and ] ask
that YOU use your efforts TO induce the
legislatlye at its coming session to pass
a law which shall give 10 this iity that
lust and equitable taxation which is our
right and which for many yeays we have
urged II Ia grant
PUBLIC WORKS.
Sewers-The work Of this department
I'm the construction OF sewers has been
pushed vigorously during the past year
with the result that all sections OF the
city in immediate need are now provided
with trunk sewers. with but two excep-
tions, one being the Pleasant Valley dis
trict between Gladstone avenue and
Smith street In which under the pro-
visions of the deed gran tiiIas the- right Of
way the sewer will have to be built the
ensuing year: the other manufacturing
area bounded by Atwell's avenue. Valley
and Eagle streets. The various indus
tries within the latter district discharge
their sewage at present directly into the
woonasquatucket river and 10 eliminate
this Objectionable feature II will be neces-
sary to extend the present trunk sewer
In a southwesterly direction along Kins-
ley avenue parallel with the river. in
Atwelis avenue.
The storm sewers in Brook Thaysr.
Dudley and Plain street districts have
been completed and the several local.
ties greatly relieved That this method
OF caring for surface water Is exceedingly
desirable was manifested during the
heavy storm of September 18th last, when
nearly four inches OF rain fell within a
few hours. While no system Of sewers
could care for such volume OF water
falling In so short time. vet the storm
sewers go far towards accomplishing the
desired result and thereby save the city
many a damage suit II Is earnestly
hoped that the work already begun In
this direction will be encouraged and con-
tinued as the exigences Of the city re-
duire.
Water Works--Unusual activity has
charac terized this depa rtment OF the mu
nicipal service during the past year
while our constantly increasing popula-
tion renders n necessary To have en-
ployed az all times goodlv sized force
In the regular,work of laying mains and
service pipes. yet there have been during
the year 1904, In addition to the usual
routine. matters of more than ordinary
importance to occupy our attention.
The arrangement OF the 1l-inch
mains in Exchange place made neces
sary by the contemplated erection Of
the new postoffice. has been completed.
Work upon the filtration plant while
IL has not progressed as raNdly as was
anticipated has been steady and the
work is now so far advanced that its
completion early in the spring seems
-tt,-ee- assured -fsat-
The contract has been made for a new
twenty-five million gallon pump, recon
II II expected that IL will be completed
ist 1905.
The pipe for the i2 inch force main
necessitated by the additional pumping
capacity, has been purchased and viii
also be laid early the coming season
The question OF extending the special
fire service system indscrlminately TO all
sections of the city where isolated in
dustries may be located mas been agi-
tated In certain quarters under an i'm
preston that the same efficiency could
be obtained in those sections as exists
I'm the central section. but after careful
consideration Of the matter II Is the
opinion OF the commissioner OF public
works that while In cer-a.n cases Il might
be feasible to make some extension TO
the present system. yet an extensive par
allelling Of our present mains would he
impracticable because of the loss Of pres e
sure due to friction on long lines ~ pipe
as we'll as the prohibitive cost of the
same.
Providence certainly compares very IA .
vorabiy with other cities I'm its special
fire system. In Cleveland there are about
three miles Of special Are mains, in Mil
waukee about nine miles: in Buffalo one
mile with side connections. twenty Ave
hydrants; I'm Boston about one mile: In
Philadelphia about seven and one half
miles: and In Providence about Ave and
one half miles with ninety-two hyvrants
Another matter which has been thor
oughly discussed with the Commissioners er
Of public works during the past year Is
the desirability OF laying a third leading
main into the city. This measure has
my approval and steps have already been
taken To secure it's accomplishment When
IL is completed the water pressure I'm all
sectiong of the city Will be greatly i'm.
proved. thus obviating the need ~ ex-
tending the special fire service on the
ground of inadequate supply of the reg,I-
/ lar system.
While the average daily consumption oi
| water did not exceed 4OGo0oO gallons per
day during the past year. yet during heat
ed periods In July and August the daily
I consumption approxtmsted iA0oo.om gal.
/ Ions The capacity of the sin filters nov
/ nearly completed VII be N0n. no eaiiors
I per day whom all are IN use: during
portion 81 the time one tank will have IA
he out ~ service tn h cleaned. thu,
/ reducing the output cf Uttered wafer n
less than N~o.coo per day. This marsir