Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-07-11
NEWS OF STEELTON
CANAL PROBLEM
WILL BE SOLVED
Comprehensive Sewer System
Suggested; to Ask Bids;
Meets Opposition

- RA0AA A0A SGANlue GNC0ANth .
drainage problem and for eliminating
the old Pennsylvania canal nuisance,
against which there has been years OF
bitter agitation, was suggested to coun-
ell and tentatively adopted last even
ing
This plan calls for an intercepting
sewer of diameter of six and one
half feet in Conestoga street, from
Front to the river, with lateral sew
ers running from Front street south to
Locust; from Frederick street north
TO Franklin street; from Frederick
ana Franklin streets to Front street.
and from Front and Conestoga streets
north to Eleanor street These lateral
drains range in size from two feet in
diameter to six feet five inches in dia-
meter, and give adequate capacity for
draining the entire borough north and
west of Locust street.
To Obtain Bids
After a lengthy and thorough dis
cussion of the entire problem in con-
nection with the ordinance now pending
on third reading to grant the Pennsyl-
vania railroad the right to construct
three more grade crossings in build
ing its proposed freight spur into the
steel plant. along the canal. II was de-
cided to obtain bids on building this
proposed sewer system.
Estimates on this big project. the
cost OF which IL is estimated should
be about $4,000, will be obtained and
submitted to council at a special meet
ing in ten days. 1t will be then de-
eided what portion of the cost the bor-
ough should bear and what portion will
be borne by the Pennsylvania railroad
and the Pennsylvania Steel Company
Should the railroad OFFER to pay an
adequate share, (which has been init
mated should be at least one-third. and
the Steel company offer to pay a por-
ion, council will pass finally the rail-
road ordinance granting permission to
construct the grade crossings.
would Amend Ordinance
Before this action is taken. however
councilmen declare the present unsatis-
factory ordinance will be amended tc
contain clauses covering the sewer
agreement, TO require the grade cross
ings to be adequately protected and tc
require the canal TO be filled the entire
length OF the borough-clauses which
the measure does not now contain.
In discussing the proposed sewer sys-
tenn Chairman E. E. Henderson of the
highway committee declared that the
proposed drains would care for all the
borough's sewage north of Locust
street for all time. He explained the
lack Of sewers north of Franklin street
by pointing out that the vacant ground
there is plotted TO sewer north from
Brewster street, TO the township and
across into the Spring creek spillway
Mr.. Henderson made the motion for
adoption OF the plan submitted. which
he said represented the best suggestions
Of the borough engineer He declared
that the Pennsylvania Steel Company
is willing to pay a portion of the cost
and that II is hinted that the railroad
will bear another large share, the two
TO amount to the largest part of the
cost"
Opposition to the measure was voic.
ed by Councilmen Obercash, Reisch
Shelley and Sellers. Messrs. Obercast
and Reisch declared that the proposed
plan would subject the West Side tc
dangers from every high water and ask.
ed why the sewer was not planned tc
run along the canal bed, which he as.
( serted was the natural drainage basin
Mr.. Reisch shared these views and de.
clared that the West Side should be
given consideration in this measure
because the establishment Of three ad-
ditional grade crossings OF three tracks
each will cause West Side real estate
to greatly depreciate in value and
thrust great inconvenience and dangers
upon the residents of this section who
are forced to cross so many tracks.
Mr.. McEntee, of the Fourth Ward
took a broad viewpoint of the project
and pointed out the advantages to the
borough that will result from such a
comprehensive sewer system for the
upper end of the town. He pointed out
that IT is impracticable to lay so large
sewer in the canal bed when the
tracks will be built upon its surface
and declared that the borough would
be saved from damage by laying the
long sewer in Frederick street He
also pointed out the increase in flow
through a large sewer built by the
steel company and now used by the
borough in the vicinity of Locust
street.
Mr.. Obercash took exception to som,
of these arguments and declared, prop.
erty owners in the district which
represent are opposed to construction
of so large a sewer in the street There
will be comeback upon the borough
II damage should result from any
| foods. Why should you make thi.
change when the present drainage /.
satisfactory in the canal BASIN
Mr.. McEntee declared that the cana
is private property and the owner.
want il themselves.
| c. H. Hoffer. of the borough's en-,
cheering department was present witt
a large map OF the entire borough
This chart represents months of pains
| taking work and is the most compre
hensive map of the borough ever made
1t was decided to have the Buser plo
charted and placed officially upon tn,
map. Mr.. Hoffer will complete thi.
work.
John C. Craig, the new councilman
from the Third ward who succeeds ]
V. w. Reynders. was present and assum.
ed his seat last evening. Mr.. Craie
presented his resignation as a member
of the board of health and President
Nelley appointed George W. Neff, oi
25l7 South Second street as his success.
sor.
! Upon motion of Mr.. Henderson, the
license measure recently adopted was
amended on first reading to increase the
fee for nonresident hucksters of mer.
chandise from IS to $40.
| Mr.. Henderson reported that the
highway committee had gone over the
wood block paving with Nelson p
Lewis. consulting engineer, and thai
Mr.. Lewis would have a favorable re.
port before council in ten days. Coun.
Gil will then go ahead with its suit
to compel the paving company to re.
pair the street.
Upon motion Of Mr.. Keim il was de.
cided to make repairs at the East END
Hoae C0mDauy