Los Angeles herald., 1909-08-06
CAN PUT COVER
ON DITCH AND
BEAT ESTIMATE
AQUEDUCT WILL BE READY BY
END OF TIME LIMIT
BIG CEMENT OUTPUT SOLVES
DIFFICULT PROBLEM
Assurances of Developments of Vast
Importance Given Engineers
and Architects Associa-
tlon by Assistant
4 BsoLUTE assurance of develop

BSOLUTE assurance of develop
IN ments of great Importance in the
IA Owens river aqueduct work was
given to the Engineers and Architects
Association of Southern California last
night by j. B. Lipplncott, assistant
chief engineer of the aqueduct bureau.
Mr.. Lippincott showed the following
definite facts, proved by recent work
along the aqueduct and Investigations
lately concluded:
The aqueduct Will be finished with
in the time limit, not as an open con-
duit, but as a closed tube between the
HaiWee reservoir and the San Fer
nando valley, for less than the orig
inal estimate of approximately $23,-
O0O,O 900. This estimate did not figure
in the cover, but the saving which
will be is more than great enough to
include the cost of the cover.
The Elizabeth tunnel, originally
feared as the possible source of pos
sible delay in completing the work, is
so far advanced as to be no longer
the controlling factor in determining
the time in which the project may be
finished. This factor of control is
now shifted to the output of the ce-
ment mill. The cement plant was fig
ured in as producing a maximum of
1000 barrels as a daily average. 1t
is now running an average of 1850 bar
rels daily.
Half of Work Done
The most difficult part of the work
was started first and is now far
enough advanced to show that the
aqueduct can certainly be finished in
time and for less than the estimate.
Fifty per cent OF the tunnel work is
now completed.
To finish the work within the five
year limit it was estimated at the end
of March that the daily progress on
completed conduit must average a rate
of 750 feet a day. Instead it is going
forward at the rate of 900 feet daily
with an indication that this may be
increased several hundred feet as a
daily average without great trouble
A feature of Importance not certain
when the first aqueduct plans were
initiated is the discovery that the val
ley lands along the Owens river owned
by Los Angeles form great artesian
water basin, which tests just con-
cluded show may positively be relied
on for a reserve water supply in time
of drought. The reliability of this has
been fully demonstrated by series ot
tests carried on by the aqueduct
bureau.
Other tests lately completed prove
beyond question that the water supply
to he diverted into Los Angeles mains
by the aqueduct will be in fact much
superior to the water now in use. Con-
tinued measure of the flow of streams
tributary to the Owens river fully
confirms the estimate as to the guam
tity available. Samples taken every
seven days for an extended period
from the Owens river and its tributary
show conclusively that the blended
water which will be delivered in the
city contains less than so per cent the
mineral content Of the water now de-
livered at city homes. "In other
words" said Mr.. Lippincott, "the water
will be highly satisfactory, and better
in quality than that we are now using" q"
These statements, related by Mr.. Lip
pincott to an expert and critical aud
ience last night, are backed by ample
proof in the offices of the aqueduct
bureau They are sufficient to answer
absolutely the anti-consolidation critics
who have been seeking to malign Los
Angeles and to revive the old argu-
ments that Los Angeles does not know
what she is talking about regarding
the completion Of the aquduct on time
and for the sum originally estimated.
Pays Tribute to Chief
Mr.. LippincOtt told these tremendous
facts in as matter of fact a manner as
though he were discussing zanjas OF
storm sewers. He closed his talk with
a strong tribute to the qualities of his
chief, William Mulholland, than whom
there is not, he said, "a man nober
kinder, of broader ideas or of greater
heart, possessing a most unique CON-
bination of skill honesty and absolute
| genius"
The engineers and architects met fol-
their monthly dinner and discussion in
| the basket room of the Hollenbeck
hotel. 1t was the last meeting at which
the president of the association, Capt
Amos A. Fries, presided and the asso-
citation took affairs out of his hand;
long enough to present him, through
their secretary, Henry u Osborne, tr.
a set of solid silver in appreciation OF
their esteem for his work at the Los
| Angeles district. Capt. Fries leaves In
his second term as president of the En-
gineers and Architects association, and
resolutions showing the strong affection
and regard of the members were unan-
| imously adopted last night.
Face Toward Southland
81 am not going away to stay with
Continued on Page Two