FIRE AND WATER

FIRE AND WATER

ATTENTION is drawn to the article in another column by Mr. Tinsley, on fireproofing. The subject is an important one and has not been given the consideration by architects and others that it warrants. Additional interest is lent to the article by the testimony of Chief Lindsey of St. Louis, who is always interesting and logical.

ATER-WORKS系统变量的性格according to conditions that are arbitrary in nature, and enter largely, if not exclusively, into the calculation of construction. Reservoir construction is almost unknown in the Western States lying between the Missouri river and the base of the Rockies. In many of the States but few opportunities are afforded to obtain water from surface streams, and recourse is had to ground water, and, in some instances, at great depths beneath the water surface. In the State of Nebraska, of sixty-eight systems in operation fifty-eight of them are termed the well system, and are known as the Cook and the Godfrey methods. It is interesting to note the ingenious schemes adopted in order to promote the efficiency of these methods now in vogue in our Western territory. It is not improbable before many years that the improvements m de in driven well construction will be as radical in action as many other phases of improvement in machinery used for water-works development in point of efficiency and durability as compared with present methods. The literature on driven well practice has not kept pace with the main features of details of construction and application to the extent that the subject merits. At least this is the expression of many water-works engineers that have occasion to consider the subject on the basis of economics than of direct necessity. It is possible that the day may come in our Eastern section of country that driven well plants may obtain more favorable consideration on the score of obtaining water free from the surface influences of pollution that contaminate many sources of water supply. A few water-works plants, and not in the far West, have spent a good deal of time and money in developing driven wells, and not with the degree of success hoped for. We are inclined to the belief that this is no argument upon which to form judgment as against a driven well plant. It is rather the fault of overestimating the capabilities of the territory under the operation of driven wells as to the quantity of water yielded within a given area. It is just at this point of consideration that the experience and judgment of the practical engineer must finally obtain in order to insure reasonable expectations.