The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1907-06-29

Pursuant to a call issued by the
Mayor, the city council met last night
in special session, for the purpose of
listening to a proposition on water
works from ]. l. Ellis, an engineer
from Kansas City. At this meeting
were present Mayor Stocka-d, Clerk
Beck, Attorney Scott, Engineer Dills.
Aldermen Bell, Robinson, Church,
Whiteman, Johnson, and Messrs. Kel-
lahin, Graham and Barnett from the
Commercial Club.
After calling the meeting to order.
Mayor StOckard stated that its pur-
pose was to listen to a proposition to
be made by Mr.. Ellis. Mr.. Ellis then
read a formal proposal, the substance
of which was about as follows:
He will prepare plans and specifica-
tions for a water works system com
mensurate with the needs of Roswell,
these to be complete and in detail
giving estimated costs of all mater
ials and labor; prepare election proc
lamations, bonds. etc. and will super
intend the construction of the plant
if the people by the election declare
for waterworks. His charge. should
the plan carry at the polls, would be
five per cent of the entire cost, but
should the election result against the
water works plan. the city would owe
him nothing
An informal discussion was then
s~,X- IS ,fa1,
Mr.. Ellis gave his idea as to what
was needed in Roswell. He favored
the placing of a tank of from 100000
to 100000 gallons capacity, located
on a tower on the North HILL tine
height to be about 125 feet. A pump
ing plant would be installed. to be
operated continuously during the day,
the surplusage to spill into the tank,
keeping it full for use during the
night and in case of fire, when the
pumps were not running.
The pumping plant would operate
directly on the mains. giving the re-
quired pressure over the city. The ca
pacity of the tank would be sufficient
to furnish water in case of fire for
about two hundred minutes, plenty of
time in which to start the pumping
plant. He then considered from a
nomical kind of pumps and boilers
TO be used. The plans and specifica-
tons would be ready in several
weeks and could be posted for the
same length of time before the cleo
tioa, 50 that the people could be-
come familiar with them.
The matter of the cost was then
brought up, Mr.. Ellis saying that ne
considered that for s125. .0OO< very
good plant could be put in here. The
cost, of course, depends on the num-
Der and location of the mains and
fire hydrants, to be decided upon by
the city council
Attorney Scott stated that a recent
law passed gave the city power to is
sue bonds to the limit of 100000 for
such purposes. Our present bonded
Indebtedness being $4,000, we could
issue bonds for this purpose to the
amount of $160, ,100-
In reply 10 a question, MI Ellis
stated that the plant he had in mind
would be sufficient for the city until
IL attained a population of from
$4,000 10 10000. The plans he had in
mind would cal for twelve 10 four
teen inch mains on the north hill and
on the fats. and about six inch mains
on the south hill He had gathered
that the city would require from 100
to f25 fire hydrants-
A discussion as 10 where the mains
should be located ensued. and it de
reloped that tae members of the coun |
ell favored locating them i'm the al
leys. placing the fire hydrants at the |
OF the streets and al |
leys. The mains would be placed "a
inches under ground
In reply to q question. Mr.. R. F.
Barnett stated that ne favored the
ownership plan. but doubt |
ed M the city could pay interest ON
the bonds fnr the sum mentioned |
Tads idea was also endorsed by MIR. |
Kellnhin- Both gentlemen favored
water Nprl<s and hoped the plan could |
be carried 70 success