Evening star., 1928-11-20
RAISING PRESSURE
MEETS OBJECTION.
Col. Ladue Doubts Practica-
biIity of Installing Pumps
for Fire Service.

The plan advanced by Asa e. Phillips
consulting engineer. for obtaining high
pressure water service in the downtown
high value district will be given careful
consideration if it is presented to thu
Board of Commissioners, according tC
Engineer Commissioner William B
Ladue
Although unwilling to give any COM
ment on the plan without first having
its feasibility thoroughly studied by ex-
perts in the Districts engineering serv-
ice, Col Ladue expressed doubt as to
its practicahility.
Phillips plan calls for installing elec-
trio pumps to increase the pressure In
mains now serving the downtown sec
ton to bring the water pressure up
from an average OF IS to an average
OF S6 pounds per square inch. His plan
was prepared for submission to the
Board of Trade, but has not yet re-
ceived that body's approval.
Col. Ladue explained increasing the
pressure on the mains downtown in
order OF secure better fire protection
might have the effect of bursting all
the plumbing connections in the lower
stories of the buildings in that Sec
ton, or of compelling tenants In the
lower stories to install pressure-re-
ducing devices into their water con-
nections.
One Objection to Plan.
This" Col. Ladue said, lis. however,
less than a curbstone opinion. 1t Is
simply one of the objections that would
have to be carefully studied before such
a plan could be put into operation"
Col. Ladue explained the District is
already undertaking an extensive pro-
gram of enlarging and improving mains
in the high value area and installing
more fire hydrantS.
During the current fiscal year, a So
inch water main $500 feet long will be
installed on M street from Eleventh
street to New Hampshire avenue, at
cost of $177,000, other main laying
jobs. all suggested by a committee ap-
pointed by the Commissioners to re-
port on the feasibility of installing a
high pressure water system in Wash
ington include the following:
A l2-inch main 900 feet long on
Eighteenth street from Pennsylvania
avenue to street; q l2-inch main
$500 feet long on Georgia avenue from
Fairmont street to Park road; a l2-inch
main 1850 feet long on Tenth street
from K street to Pennsylvania avenue.
During the current year there is also
an appropriation of $4,000 for INSTALL
ing fire hydrants In locations suggest
ed by the committee. The appropria-
ton for such purposes is regularly S25,-
600 annually. There Is also consider
able work under way in replacing old
mains, Col. Ladue said The work viii
be continued In the next fiscal wear
under items authorized by the Budget
Bureau, although the extent of the
work and the amount authorized must
remain confidential until publication of
the budget figures when the President
sends them to Congress.
The execution of this improvement
work, according to Col. Ladue, does
not mean that Mr.. Phillips suggested
scheme could not also be put into ef-
feet If investigation showed that it was
advisable. If Mr. Phillips scheme
should prove to be practicable, it might
win favor from che Commissioners IL
the cost involved would not be excess
sive.
The Phillips plan will probably not
be considered unless it is forwarded
the Commissioners as expressing the
policy of the Board of Trade. Up to TIL
present time it has the status of tn
opinion of a private citizen. In max
ing the details of the plan public, Mr..
Phillips explained he did so in order
to have the benefit of comment and
criticism from Government officials
and other citizens before submitting it
to the Board Of Trade for final action.