M .\\ M 



problem and at the saint- time keeping uj> with their 

 regular work. The cent facts arc entered into each 

 year just before winter sets in. The contractor^ offer 

 to collect the snow 1'nun the ]av-nieni> and carry it 

 off for so much a cubic yard. The price generally 

 ranges from about l.~> cents to '2~t cents a cubic yard. 

 The sum spent for this work in 1007 was $2,470,950.47. 

 The quantity removed was 13,905,181.6 cubic yard-. 



\Yhen snow begins to fall the sweepers of the depart- 

 ment leave their ordinary work and clear the cro- 

 walks, remove snow from about the fire hydrants, and 

 free the gutters so that in event of thaw the water 

 from the melting snow can run off into the sewers. 

 Some snow is removed by the department in the carts 

 which at other times are used for garbage and ashes. 

 It not uncommonly happens that the temperature 

 immediately after a snow-storm is such that the snow 

 melts during the day and freezes at night, so that if 

 care is not taken to keep the drainage of the streets 

 clear, ice may accumulate. 



The householders clear the snow from the sidewalks 

 to the curb line and often clean out the gutters. By 

 the term gutter is meant the carriageway immediately 

 adjacent to the curb. The snow from the steps, areas, 

 and sidewalks is thrown into the carriageways. On 

 residence streets, it is not uncommon for the snow to 

 be piled up to a height of three or more feet. The first 

 heavy snow-falls generally occur in December and may 

 be expected any time until March. 



The contracts entered into by the city for the removal 

 of snow usually specify that work shall begin when 

 two and one-half inches of snow have fallen upon the 

 pavements, the depth being determined by a special 



177 



