Polytechnic Association. 883 



Relief of Fourth Avenue. 



Mr. J. V. Henry Nott exhibited a model of a proposed iron avenue 

 to be erected over the Fourth avenue, to be approached by inclined 

 planes of iron from the side streets. The expense would be more 

 than repaid by the increased value of the adjoining property. The 

 level of the new avenue would be that of Park avenue. It would 

 cost about six millions for the whole length of four miles. The 

 buildings which might be erected upon the new avenue would yield 

 a revenue paying a fair per centage upon the cost. 



Dr. J. W. Richards considered it a great mistake to place the new 

 depot at Forty -third street. It should have been placed on the North 

 river, affording convenient communication with the railroads termina- 

 ting in Jersey city. 



Mr. ISTott — As soon as this avenue is finished we have more than 

 half the distance finished for a fast railroad. It would only be neces- 

 sary to complete the track down to the Battery. 



The President stated that when the subject of rapid transit was 

 discussed in the Polytechnic Association, two years ago, the plan 

 most approved was the elevated railway, passing over the cross streets 

 and between the blocks. The objection to the railway over the 

 streets is the danger of frightening horses. 



Dr. P. H. Van der Weyde said the horses were already becoming 

 accustomed to it. He considered the best project to be the Barlow 

 plan. 



Drain Pipe. 

 By Thomas D. Stetson. 

 Drain pipes do not require much strength, but they require strength 

 enough to resist the strain of handling, and from the settling of the 

 earth upon them after they have been placed in position. One of the 

 simplest forms of drain pipe would be a box. As to materials now 

 in use, there are three general styles of pipe — baked earthenware, 

 lime or mortar, or cement pipe, and pipe of cheap materials, moulded 

 with heat — and it is of this latter class that I shall mostly speak 

 to-night. Economy is the main requisite. For water pipes, we 

 regard healthfullness, or ought to, above all other considerations. We 

 therefore employ tin pipe, or tin-lined pipe, to prevent poisoning the 

 water that we are to drink. But as for the water that passes through 

 drain pipes we don't care what happens to it. But we must have 

 pipes that will stand water, and that will also resist the action of acids 

 and alkalies. The material passing through them is very multifarious 



