Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-09-22

starts. and Is maintained until the
pouring IS completed. Tests have
proved that this system results IN
the manufacture Of pipe Of very
uniform density. and capable o.
withstanding abnormal strains.
Use Local Materials
A very material saving In the
manufacture OF pipe has been Ct
fecued by utilization Of large Quar-
titles Of gravel and sand from the
pits in western Hidalgo county. this
material forming approximately so
per cent Of the aggregate, the re-
naming 20 per cent. a sharp sand,
being shipped in from Victoria.
Frequent tests OF all materials as
well as the finished product are
made in the laboratory adjoining
t. plant, and these tests have re-
vealed a surprising degree OF uni
formity in the product The mix
at the three portable plants at
which the larger sizes are made is
also frequently tested. The pipe.
which was recently examined ana
tested by experts from several
northern and eastern factories. was
classed with the best produced in
the United States.
In addition to owning the plant
building. formerly q cotton con-
press. the district also owns all
equipment for both manufacture
and installation and also approx
mately IS acres, part Of which i
now used as a curing yard. The
compress. which coYers approx
matcly two acres. was purchased by
the district and transformed into q
concrete pipe factory Of the most
modern design. A concrete floor.
nearly two acres in extent, was
constructed and an overhead
sprinkling system for curing pipe
installed. Two Of the units now IL
operation are each turning out ap-
proximately 100 feet daily. The
building also Is utilized for the
storing Of reinforcing steel. and
special machinery has been install
ed for the curving and electric
welding. Each truck carrying ce-
ment or other materials to the
p~-table plants also carries two u
the huge reinforcing forms.
Sealed From Inside
Practically all the larger sizes will
be placed In bitches in the center
Of the present main canals OF tire
district. where the soil Is we'll set
tied, but many Of the smaller pire
lines will adjoin the canals. the ca
mails TO be pulled down and leveled
as soon as the system is completed.
Rapid progress Is made in laying
the smaller sizes, ditch diegers Of
the largest type being employed.
and the pipe is handled with a spe-
cial crane.
All pipe is scaled from the outside
when laid and then covered. When
the line Is well settled all sizes OF
24-inch or more are sealed from the
inside. a workman entering the pipe
and gradually working his way
thro- 5h it, thoroughly cementing
all ~connectings or any points which
might develop leakage. This sys-
tenn Of sealing from the insioe.
which has been thoroughly tested
on western projects, has been
found very effective in solving many
Of the problems Of the all-pipe sys-
TENS. All pipes will be covered to
an average depth Of two feet.
Seek Maximum Efficiency
"Our objective Is to make this q
system If the highest possible eff
cheney and TO reduce maintenance
costs TO the minimum" was the
comment OF A. Van Dresar. general
manager. While an all-concrctc
pipe system Is a new departure in
the Valley, 1t has been thoroughly
proved in other irrigated areas. We
are proceeding cautiously. every de-
partment OF the work Is in tho
hands Of experienced men and !
am confident that when this pro-
ject is completed this district will
have a system OF the highest eff
cheney and operating at a very low
cost"
Van DreSar, who has been man.
ager Of the district for six years,
has built up a very efficient organi-
zation. and an organization OF SIM
liar efficiency is being built up 10
handle the construction work. The
most modern labor-saving machin-
cry has been purchased TO hano.c
the work, and where equipment was
not p~rocurable 1t was designed BY