OUR BOSTON LETTER.

OUR BOSTON LETTER.

THE name of Mr. Dexter Brackett, assistant city engineer, is probably not unfamiliar to most of those interested in water works and water supply. He has been attached to that office for a number of years, and his record has been a good one. He has, however, now severed that connection, and when he returns from his vacation, he will take a position in the metropolitan water department, at a salary of $4,000 a year, an advance of S1,500 upon what this city paid him. As salaries go in this part of tho country, the recognition is quite complimentary to him, and furthermore it practically assures him a life position. The metropolitan water commission may come to an end some time, but the engineering force goes on for ever, and competent men in that branch of the service will have little to complain of as regards the tenure of office. The city engineer’s office as a training school has from time to time obtained recognition of which it is justly proud. I believe New York lured one of the force some years ago from a $8,500 position by the offer of a $10,000 salary, to be chief of her aqueduct system ;and I think she has never considered her investments an unwise one. The other two engineers, Stearns and Richardson,employed by the metropolitan commission also came from this office, not to mention several young men of lower grade. Here, too, the subway co mmissioners looked with success for two of their engineering force,and if this frequent graduation of experts continues, the engineer’s department will have to be regarded as a post-graduate attachment to the Institute of Technology. The head of it, Mr. Jackson, received his technical instruction there and has acquired a well deserved reputation which makes service with him both a benefit and pleasure. Mr. Brackett will have the Boston end under his control. He is able and enthusiastic and an indefatigable worker. As this new ssrvice contemplates the expenditure of about $26,000,000 as a starter, the importance of having competent men to engineer the work is very apparent. Mr. Brackett made an exhaustive test over a year ago of all the engines of the Boston fire department, and the report of his findings has been in great request ever since.

The new first size La France engine, Boston’s first trial of that make of machine, was placed this week in the house of engine company No. 24, where Chief Webber has his headquarters a portion of the time. This makes a total of a half dozen first size, thousand gallon engines in the congested part of the city. The others are second size, but mostly of new pattern and excellent capacity. Commissioner Russell thinks that at least three more should be purchased and put in service. His estimate is none too large. His predecessors called for as many as that a couple of years ago.