The New York Times from New York, New York • Page 17

MAT IS. 1809. THE NEW YORK TIMES SATURDAY REVIEW. S07 water. The death-dealing bacillus typhous la not among them.

It Is simply a little rod, as Its name Im plies, of which it would take 12,500 rows, each row consisting of little rods, placed side by side, to fill a square inch. The aim of filtration is to remove over 09 per cent. of the bacteria existing in the unfiltered water. The effect of such filtration on the health of the city using the filtered water is to reduce the typhoid fever death rate about 50 per cent. The cost of filtration is estl mated by Mr.

Hill to be $037 per million gallons fil This is for an average water and includes in terest on plant and a sinking fund. If this is so, it is easy to see that with the value of a life at $5,000, the Michigan standard adopted by Hill and Hazen, filtra tlon is a real economy. But more than this, it result in a diminished use or rather waste of water. The excessive waste of water, in American towns has keen the subject of discussion for years. It useless, expensive, and Water which, lien flow ing free in its natural channels, has no intrinsic money value, becomes when stored, conveyed in pipes, pumped.

and distributed to a community, a costly commodity, Its value is measurable by the cost of delivering it to consumers. The consumer ought to pay for it in propor -tlon to the quantity he Europe this is generally recognized. In the United States the fallacy that water should be as "free as air" has prevailed for many years, and is not dead yet, although a good many communities have come to a realizing sense of its ab surdity. In bringing about this result Important serv ice has been rendered by the weekly Journal which was started in 1877 under the name of The Sanitary Engineer, but since 1887 has been styled The Engi peering -valuable paper the arguments for the reduction of the useless waste of water have been set forth with great force. and a collection of important, data bearing on the sub ject Issued under Iho' Ulle of Walef Wat8 Prevention," by Henry C.

Meyer, (New York, Engi neering Record Press, $1.) Now that the water meter has attained its present mechanical perfection, and particularly since the measurement of large quantities of water flowing through pipes has been rendered easy at small cost by the ingenious and highly scientific application of a principle in hydraulics discovered 'by the Italian scientist Venturi a hundred years ago, but never before put to practical use on a large scale, there is no excuse-for the sale-of water by guess-work to either Individuals or communities. This interesting and useful apparatus is described in The Venturi Water Meter," by Clemens Herschel, C. (Cas6ier's Magazine, March, 1800.) Unnecessary waste of water Is moreover prejudicial to the public health. Except in the seaboard towns, which discharge their wastes into tidal waters, all water wasted by a town is returned to the sources of supply for other communities in a fouled state. It must be purified by some means before it is fit for use again, and the greater its quantity, the greater will be the labor and cost of Its purification.

The removal, and purification of sewage is therefore an important branch of hydraulic and sanitary engineering. That the public health demanded the prompt removal and purification of all domestic and manufacturing wastes, in such a way that sources of water supply would not be contaminated thereby, was first forcibly imnFeeslm the American mind by the late Col. George E. in ar series of inrTheAtlantlie Monthly lnrlff73. These papers, since republished inLhook form un the title The Sanitary Drainage Houses and Towns," ty George E.

Waring, (Boston, Houghton, Mifflin $2.) are still worth reading, for the charm of their style and the soundness of the doctrine they inculcate. In 1880 the first technical book on sewerage, Sewers and Drains in Populous Districts," by Julius W. Adams, C. (New York, D. Van Nostrand Company, 2.50,) appeared.

In the voluminous literature of sewerage and sewage disposal since that date, the writings of Col. Waring hold a prominent place. Always attractive -in style and novel in. their presentation of the subjects treated, they were of great, value In the education of the public. As regards technical details, they excited much discussion, mainly owing to the author's tendency to restrict his recommendation of specific methods and materials to such as be had a proprietary interest in, a course which interferes with the Judicial position an engineer ought to hold.

In the rapid advance of this branch of science most of what was written between 1880 and 1807 is now out of date. A convenient and useful resume1 of the progress and present status of the matter is found in the potest Issued from the press, Sewer-Design," by H-N. Ogden, C. (New York, John Wiley Sons, $2.) which, the author states, represents a course of lect ures to the students of Cornell University. It embodies a large amount of valuable information not easily accessible elsewhere.

As regards the practical design and construction besnsummary "of "American practice at the present day is found in "The Design, Construction and Maintenance of Sewerage Systems," by A. Prescott Folwell, C. (New York, John Wiley Sons, $3.) It is clear, concise, and full, so far as it goes. It does not, however, treat of the disposal of the sewage after its removal frdm the inhabited district. This, indeed, has become a science by itself, and a most important one, a general review of the subject, reference ma be made to Modern Methods of Sewage Disposal," by George E.

Waring, (New York, D. Van Nostrand Company, $2,) in which the subject is treated rather in a popular style, but for a full discussion of principles and practice, and descrip tions of executed works, recourse must be had to Sew age Disposal in the United States," by George W. Raf ter and M. N. Baker.

(New York, D. Van Nostrand Company, $.) Another edition of this valuable work is needed, with some additions, to bring it fully up to date. Pending its appearance, the comprehensive book, Sanitary Engineering," by Col. E. C.

S. Moore, R. (New Van Nostrand Company, $10.) which gives the fullest details of English practice in sewage disposal, as well as design, may advantageously be con sulted. Another handy volume on English practice Is The Purification of by S. Barwlse.

(New York, D. Van Nostrand Company,) and, while on English mat ters, "The London Water Supply." by Arthur Shad-well, (New York, D. Van Nostrand Company,) will be found to contain a good deal of interesting informs tlon. So far the sanitary works constructed by the community only have been considered. The part of the individual is also an Important one.

What he ought to do is very well set forth in the latest book of Mr. W. P. Gerhard, "Sanitary Engineering of Buildings," by William Paul Gerhard, (New York, W. Cmstock.) a treatise replete with sound doctrine and fe-od It is rather odd that In all that has been written on the subject of water supply there is no battdy manual for the water works promoter giving in a succinct form the reasons why a water supply Is a good invest ment for a small town.

There are now enough statis tics to be gathered relative to the precise effect on health, on the value of property, and on the growth of population caused by the introduction of water into a such a little book, devoid of technicalities and easily comprehended. To frequent inquiries for such a book the only answer that can now be made is that none BUcn exists. The title of Water and Public Health." by James H. Fuertes, (New York, John Wiley Sons, $1.50,) leads one to look at it, but it is found to relate only to the death rate reduction in towns of over 60,000 inhabitants from using filtered rather than unfiltered water. It is good in this light, but it does not cover (he desired ground.

Until such a book appears, the best thing that any one who wants to know wtiat sanitary engineering Is and why it is one of the most vitally important branches of science, can do is to read through" The Elements of Sanitary Engineering," by Mansfield Mer-riam, (New York, John Wiley Sons, $2,) in which the whole theory and practice of the art as existing to-day are most lucidly and interestingly expounded in terms intelligible to the meanest capacity. And When the book Is finished the reader will doubtless be prepared to agree with Prof- Merriam's conclusions that of all branches of engineering that of sanitary engineering is the most interesting and important It is interesting and fascinating by reason of its wide scope, wherein the results of the labors of the physi cian, the chemist, the biologist, the hydraullclan, and the constructing engineer find application. It is Im portant because it is work for the welfare of the com munity, and has its influence upon all surrounding communities, and upon the Nation. The city engineer who has built a water works system and a sewerage system finds in his completed work satisfaction and pride of a high degree, for through these the public health is promoted, the spread of disease is prevented, and therefore the world Is rendered stronger and bet- MR. KIPLING'S SIDE" LETTER FBOM IRV ING PUTNAM'.

To The Kcw York Timet Saturday Review: Referring to the article, "Mr. Kipling's Side," in last Saturday's Issue, will you give me space to correct one or two statements of fact? First It is alleged that the pages containing the Vampire and Recessional are folioed Into the Seven Seas." This is not so. The "Vampire" and the Recessional are Critic Leaflets Nos. 1 and 4. They are not folioed at all, and have their distinct title page, showing them to be published by the Critic Company.

They are not included In the table of contents of the "Seven Seas," and it is evident that they have been bound in merely as a matter of convenience, be cause too small to make a separate volume. I can state, on the best authority, that Mr. Kipling was perfectly aware of and made no objection to their publication as Critic Leaflets." Second It is stated that the general index of the set is, folioed into the' volume "A Ken of Kipling." This is not so. The index Is folioed by ltBelf. Third It is stated that the "Ken of Kipling" was published contrary to the wishes of Mr.

Kipling. I have the best authority for stating that up to the pres ent time no objection or protest to this volume has been made either to the author or; to the publishers, the New Amsterdam Book Company. The book pre tends to be neither more "nor less than it le-a sketch of the author, with some newspaper anecdotes. It does not profess to be in. any way authorized by Mr.

Kip-' ling. It is written by a reputable man, Mr, Clemens', published by a responsible house, and is freely sold in every bookstore that keeps miscellaneous stock. If Mr. Kipling had real ground for grievance against this book," it would seem if the ordinary and natural protest would be addressed to the author or to the publishers, whoaxejgellIng it in quantities, and not to one of the booksellers who are handling a few score of copies. Fourth Finally, I should like to add that, while we were served with a summons in this ult on April 21, we have not yet received a complaint in the action; in other words, we have not yet had a 'definite and.

formal specification of grievances, the newspaper articles having conveyed us our fullest information. -1 IRVING PUTNAM. New York. May 0. 1S00.

THE vHILLS OP PAIN GILBERT ARXX3 protests. Tt Th Xcw Tor Timtt Satnr4ag Btvtevf Will you allow me space to refer to one of those iniquities of, publishing which one bad hoped was a thing of the past. A firm called Badger 11 A Co. has lately been offering a so-called book of mine entitled "The Hills of Pain" to 'a Canadian publisher for printing and selling In Canada. I wish to state, through your columns, for the benefit of the publishing trade and my small public, that I have never had any dealings wttfc Badger A that I had never heard of Badger 4.

Co. until a Canadian publisher brought this matter to my notice. I have never written a book called The Hills of Pain," nor has any one any right to Issue any story or stories of mine under such a title. Whoever or whatever Badger ft Co. may be, I WU11 call their, or its, attention ttot the fact that all my short stories have been copyrighted In America since 1892, and that I will take every legal means to prevent any infringement of my rights.

I have a shrewd idea that Badger Co. are offering for sale a series of short allegorical sketches which were published In. The Chap Book in America and In The English Illustrated Magazine and The New -Review in England, (called then "Scenes in the Voshti HillaX.UUieaa,UrleSvWere,duJy-,lcopy I have been written to by several publishers concerning them, and have In all cases declined to sell them or to grant permission for publication. trust that Badger uo. ruiiy understand, the risk that they are taking in offering for sale my property without lease or license.

I believe that such facts as these are of interest to the whole literary profession, and that plain speak ing and plain Intentions can only help to conserve the general rights of authors. I am. Sir, yours faithfully, GILBERT PARKER. 20 Carleton House Terrace, London, S. April 11, 1800.

Concerning Jean de Bloch. the author of "The Put- ure of War." which will shortly be Issued in an abridged form by the Doubleday 4k McClure Company, some remarkable stories are told. Bloch is a Jew, and a Polish Jew at that," as some of the commenta tors on his life express it He was a peddler in Warsaw; then he became a broker. It Is told that hi start JnJIlfe began when he had made some $10,000. he informed his friends that he would retire from business.

What he did was to hurry to Berlin, where he engaged tutors, English and French, and began his studies. He was absent from Warsaw for three years. He took again to money making, and soon mada a large fortune, according to English accounts 125.000.- 000. While occupied in banking he was still a student. and bis ability, so it Is said, drew the attention of M.

de'Wilte, the present Russian Minister of Finance. Divestlnr thm ntniMr nf If mmnvhi) Vfnnt fi-latA 1 rt r. coloring there Is no question but that Bloch Is quite a The library of the Royal Geographical Society is of course special of Its kind. It numbers 31,000 volumes. At first works of a purely geographical character predominated, but now books on ethnology, geology, history, and other allied subjects have been added.

The library contains the roost comprehensive of collections of volumes treating of polar exploration. The division of travels begins with Eden, (577.) Hakluyt, (1580.) i and Purchas, (1017.) In geography the earliest book is Ptolemy's Geographies," the Latin folio edition of Strasburg, 1515. The library possesses the "Cosmo-graphla" of Sebastian Minister, with the "Coemo-graphla of Apian and Gemma Frislus. In Americana there Is the Raccolta dl Document! Studl of the Italian commission, with Arsenlo's Chrlstobal Colon." The estimate shows that 51 per cent of the works are: In English, 20 per cent, in French, 10 per cent in German, and 12 per cent in other languages. Here is a chance for the Baconians! Mr.

Sidney Lee has thrown down the glove to In the in terest of keen mental sport, if not to attempt to wipe Shakespeare from his pedestal, somebody should pick It up. At a recent dinner given in his honor in Birmingham Mr. Lee said he would undertake to prove to any Impartial Jury who were pledged to abide by the spurious logic of the Baconians, that every poem usually assigned, to Lord Tennyson was really, the exercise of Mr. Gladstone's recreation Tor that the volumes that had' come forth under the present Poet Laureate's name were the ejaculations of the muse of their distinguished fellow-townsman, Mr. Chamberlain.

Incidental with their work, the jury might seek to find out what has got against the Secretary of State jforJh.oloDleaj Archaeological quarrels never are pleasant subJeot3, but there are several acrimonious ones now raging In Rome. They had their beginning In a charge made by Prof. Ilelbig against the organizers of the Papa Glulio Museum, and more particularly: toward Prof. Bernable, the Director of Fine Arts. Supposably the Papa Glulio Museum was to furnish the best record of Etruscan civilization.

Some years ago groups of Etruscan tombs were excavated at CI vita Castellana, Nerl. and other lo- calitles. The charge Is made, that, while some of the finds were placed In the museum, a large number of the relics were sold to private collectors-and then places filled with Inferior objects..