Los Angeles herald., 1907-03-31

years, for the payment of the city's
liabilities.
I'm starting a great work of this
kind, very large percentage of the
expenditures must be put into equip
ment and organization; so that with,
say, so per cent of the funds expended,
it very seldom follows that so per cent
of the work will be performed. After
the organization and equipment has
been assembled the latter part of the
work should go with relatively greater
rapidity and smaller expense. 1t is
frequently difficult to make this plain
to those unfamiliar with works of this
kind, but anyone connected with large
construction enterprises will fully ap-
preciate this condition"
Cement Mill
Application was made by the chief
engineer to the secretary of the in
terror. requesting that e. Duryee, ce-
ment expert of the reclamation service,
be detailed to study the cement in
vestigation along the aqueduct.
The secretary permitted Mr.. Duryee
to devote one-half of his time to the
city of Los Angeles, and arrangements
of this nature were entered into with
Mr.. Duryee last October Lime and
clay deposits were found near Mojave.
The Cuddeback ranch, containing 5000
acres, upon which the clay is found,
has been purchased. Options have been
secured upon the limestone Mr. Duryee
estimates that the cement mill can be
constructed for $780, exclusive of
the price of the land. The board of en-
gineers estimated that 100000 barrels
of cement will be required The cost
of the mill, distributed over the out
put of cement, is 23 cents per barrel.
The cost of the mill has been consid-
cred separately by the board of engi-
neers. Mr.. Duryee estimates that the
cost per barrel for the manufacture Of
the cement, exclusive of the cost of the
plant, will be 81; the capacity of the
mill to be 1000 barrels per day.
The materials have not only been
tested chemically, but small kiln has
been erected in Los Angeles, and a
burn of the materials made. A twenty
eight-day test shows a breaking
strength of the neat cement OF $40
pounds, and with a mixture of one of
cement to three of sand of $50 pounds.
The results of the tests have been sat
isfactory and have demonstrated that
superior Portland cement can be made
with the materials available.
Mr.. Duryee finds that the location is
admirably suited to the manufacture
and delivery of cement midway of the
conduit line. The city will not exhaust
the deposit of clay and limestone and
it is thought that the plant at the end
of the construction will be worth al
most as much as it cost the city.
Getting Power
Particular reference is made to the
portion of the report of the board of
engineers relative to the development
of water power. The most important
site is in the San Francisquito canyon,
about forty-tive miles from the City of
Los Angeles. A total drop of nearly
1900 feet is available at this point
Another minor site for power de-
Velopment may be found a short dis
tance below the end of the aqueduct,
in the San Fernando valley.
Another opportunity for power de-
Velopment occurs near Little lake. 15O
miles northerly from Los Angeles,
where a fall of 270 feet can be obtained.
The average continuous output of
power with a complete water supply
from these plants is estimated by the
board of engineers at $4,000 horse
power.
The Fairmont reservoir site at the
intake of the main plant will permit
OF the water being liberated for this
power as the demand occurs I'm the
city. The water may be conserved for
its purpose during legal holidays and
nights, and liberated during working