The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-10-30
THOUSANDS SEE
WORK ON SUNDAY
But 1t Was City Work, and
Water Couldn't Be Drawn
From Canal on Other Days.
BIG SEWER CONSTRUCTION
Pipe Connection Made in Bed of
Canal Near New Pump
House.

Taking advantage of the opportunity
presented by a bright sunday, three
large gangs of workmen yesterday af-
ternoon made rapid strides on two
great public enterprises and one pri-
waite Improvement, 10 the great interest
OF hundreds of Richmond people, who
paused in their Sunday afternoon walk.
Mater was drawn from the canal to
facilitate work on the Virginia Avenue
sewer Superintendent Davis. of the
Mater Department took advantage of
the occasion TO lay an immcsa'e pipe
connection in the bed of the canal at
the New Pump House, and Major James
I'll. Dooley took the same opportunity to
clean out and enlarge the lake in the
lower part of his grounds, filled by
back water from the same canal.
The great Clay Ward sewer, the big
gest sewer Richmond has ever attempt
cd 10 build. is just at its most critical
stage Having tunneled nearly half
mile through granite, without hitch,
the great drain must now be carried
under the canal and the railway tracks
to the river.
Must Not Stop Amy Train.
While the right of way has been
given by the Chesapeake and Ohio
Railway, 1t stipulates that the work
must be done without hamperng the
flow of water in the canal, save on Sun
days. and without at any time delaying
or impeding the movement of any train.
Five more Sundays. 1t is estima ted, Will
be required to finish the excavation in
the canal bed. complete the great con-
crete side walls and lay n sort of con-
crete aQueduct. which will carry the
water of the canal smoothly along It's
way over the top OF the great ten-foot
sewer. Both Mr.. Stamper and Mr..
Ragland. of the contracting firm and
Assistant City Engineer Keegan were
on the job yesterday, pushing the work.
men along for every moment of the
precious time. until the signal was
given and the water turned back into
the canal away out at Boshers dam.
five miles above. For the canal must
fill and be ready to supply power at
the Gallego Mills, the Tredegar Works
and other industries. which resumed
operations at midnight. Once up out
of the canal bed, the completion of the
great undertaking Is in sight. For
weather conditions do not interfere In
the tunnel. The concrete and brick
lining can be laid there in any weather.
Finish In january.
The contractors estimated yesterday
that they would be able TO deliver their
part Of the work complete early in
January, or even allowing for delays.
certainly by February l. Already the
great tunnel has pierced its way more
than 1890 feet Just 2l0 feet remain.
and the blasting and drilling goes on
necessarily, night and day. An army
of workmen have their shanties on the
hillside, with the Offices and supply huts
of the contractors, looking more like
q railway construction camp In the
mountains than an undertaking within
the bounds OF a city.
Having secured supply of brick at
last. !. j. Smith G. Co. are now push
Ing rapidly work on the three main
branches. Those who drive daily
through the Shields's Grove annex TO
William Byrd Park have been greatly
interested at the sight OF sewer con-
struction above ground. For the lake
has been drained and the great brick
tube, six feet in diameter inside, is
being built in the open, TO be buried
later by the water of the new lake.
When the lateral branches are COM
pleted the sewer will furnish drainage
for the large section lying between
Lombardy Street. and the Boulevard.
from Cary Strset south to the river
The cost OF the" main sewer and its
branches will exceed $4,000 Besides
opening to building a large territory
at present undeveloped, the opening or
the sewer next spring will result in
eliminating more than 1000 dry clos
cts. In the opinion of the health au-
thorities, this should result In still
further lowering of Richmond's already
remarkably low typhoid rate.
Busy mt Pumping station.
Nearly mile above where the sewer
contractors were eXcavating with cleo
trio cranes and all manner of improved
machinery, the Water Department laid
yesterday afternoon in the mud bottom
of the canal thirty inch connection
from the settling basin tiume to the
new electric pumps which will supply
water to the Lee District standplpe
service. Kneedeep In mud, the pump
house force rushed at the job with &
will, knowing there would be but few
working hours. and even as II was,
the water wac rising around them in
the canal az the last joint was cauiked
by lantern light.
Among the hundreds who walk on
bright sunday afternoons to the pump
house and on up the canal bank toward
the settling basins. surprise is often
expressed that the city has not i'm
proved the approach TO the basins
either by widening the canal bank TITO
picturesque driveway around the ba
sins. as an annex to the drives OF VIII
liam Byrd Park. or else by Improving
the walkway, and especially by Install
ing steps and bridges in the park, sc
that IT would not be necessary to 20
through the engine rooms al the pump
house to get to the canal bank
Catch Alleged speakensy.
Matt Payne (colored), of l7ll
Lowndes Street, was arrested yester-