Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-09-10
COUNCIL DECIDES
To LAY PIPE LINE
IN FRONT STREE 7
Rescinds Previous Action Relative
to Water Mains After
Walk in Park
MAY DAMAGE THE ROOTS
Question of Cost; Bowman De-
tends the Trees; 3 to 2
Vote Again
MAY DAMAGE THE ROOT!

After a pleasant hours stroll down
! through the River Front Park from
| North to Paxton streets City Council
this morning met in special session
and decided to lay the proposed new
water mains in Front street instead of
the park pathway, after all.
Council. however, split on the vote,
Mayor Royals resolution to rescinG
the previous award and reaward the
contract to put down the pipes being
adopted by S-to-2 vote.
Mayor Royal and Commissioners w.
Fl. Lynch and NJ. Harvey Taylor voted
| to put the pipes in the street.
Commissioners Bowman and Gorgas
voted to run the pipe line through the
| parks.
Cost in the Future
In urging the adoption of the Royal
motion Commissioner Taylor pointed
out that the trees in the parks would
be seriously threatened because the
roots would necessarily have to be cut
Furthermore, he pointed out that the
city would be put to much more ex-
pense in the future because II would
be necessary either to replace the pres
ent 6-inch feed main in the street or
extend the laterals across the street
to the park from the houses.
Commissioner lynch questioned
whether there would be so much seri-
Gus damage done to the trees, but he
believes the question of removing the
pipes in the future would be'too costly
Mayor Royal explained his previous
vote for the original Bowman reso-
luton by saying that he had acted for
what he believed was the best finan-
cial interests of the city, but after he
had seen the damage done to the trees
by a recent storm he thought Council
should take no chance with the other
trees by permitting the roots to be
threatened.
Bowman Meant to Protect Trees
Commissioner Bowman insisted again
that he had recommended the laying
of pipes in the park instead of the
highway because it would entail some
$4, 900 less expense. Had he believed
that any harm would come to the trees
he never would have considered, for
a moment, the question of putting the
pipes in the park.
why, I've got as much respect for
trees as anyone-in the parks or out, :"
declared Mr.. Bowman. "and / say
again that | wouldn't consider any
thing that l believe would injure any
of the trees. But after a careful sur
vey of the parks I concluded that the
trees would not be harmed and rec
commended the award to that effect
accordingly. Furthermore, I had in
mind the, saving of some $4,000 to the
city"
Considered Economy
While he does not believe that the
trees would be harmed by the pro-
posed line in the park and believed,
furthermore, that the city should save
the $4,000, he questioned, however,
whether 1t would not have been Just
as feasible and much more economical
to extend the mains from the Cameron
street feeder on out Market to Front
street and not touch upon Front at all.
Millard F. Saul, who had been
awarded the bid for the construction
of mains both in the park and in the
street, was awarded the contract for
putting the lines in the street at a
total of $6.374.S0.
Mr.. Saul he explained to Council
would have had right to claim what
he considered the possible profits on
the park job. but that Mr.. Saul had
agreed not to press such claim
From North street to Market the cost
will total $S,S6S.20 and from Market
to Paxton 1t will cost $2,506.20.
Council Takes a Stroll
Counci's entire body was on the Job
at the pumping station a few minutes
after O'Clock and the walk beneath
the trees began. At certain points
along the route holes had been dug
In the pathway opposite trees to show
Just where the roots extend. In one or
two instances, however, the trenches
had been dug Immediately east of the
walk. Some gigantic elms and Nor
way naples and some towering but
tonWoodS were among the trees in the
right of way and these, Mr.. Bowman
explained, would have to he passed by
placing the pipes beneath the roots
Where the pipe Zine would have
crossed at Market and at Walnut
streets there was another brief halt.
Relative to that question raised by
Mr.. Lynch as to the cost of cutting
across here" pointed out Commis-
sioner Bowman, 81 just want to say
that the work would all have to be
done by the contractor. That wouldn't
cost the city any more"
Cutting Across the Streets
What / said was" said Mr.. Lynch.
that the cost of the cutting would be
so much more and that the contractor
had to figure upon this when he sub
mitted his bid
At Front and Walnut a giant elm
attracted attention. What about the
roots here?" asked the Mayor.
why, wherever we hit large tree
der it."
Have you anything in the contract
to require that?" inquired Mayor
Royal.
No. but he has that understand
ing" replied Mr.. Bowman.
Still" pointed Messrs Lynch and
Royal together. there's nothing in the
CONTRACT.
But I'll insist upon it," stoutly
maintained Mr.. Bowman.
We'll" chorused Messrs Lynch
Taylor and Royal. ut won't do any
good unless it's in the contract"
The Life of the Water Pipe
How long has this six-inch feeder
in Front street now been in service 2"
asked Mr.. Taylor
Messrs. Bowman, Royal, Taylor. nor
city clerk did not seem to know. Why,
I'll tell you" suggested Mr.. Lynch,
about siXty-seven years"
That means. then" went on Mr..
Taylor, that it will entail additional
cost in the future-much more than
the $4,000 you're saving now, by put
ting the pipes in the park Either
you'll have to put down a new main in