To Melt Snow

Among those who have given considerable thought to the problem of quickly and efficiently disposing of the snow which falls on the streets of lhe city, and which the bureau of street ileanins; is frequently unable to force street cleaning contractors to remove as rapidly and thoroughly as it should be removed, is Robert G. Mueller, an engineer and architect in the office of Otto C. Wolf, at Broad and Arch streets, ays the Philadeiphia Inquirer. Mr. Mueller's plan involves the turning of the accumulated snow into water, which afterward runs off through the glitters into sewers. "This can be done," said Mr. Mueller, "both cheaply and successfully. In melting the snow I would use electricity upon such Btreets as have trolley lines running upon them. On other thoroughfares steam would be used. After the sweeaers and snow plows have thrown the snow into a long pile between the tracks and the curb laborers could thro it into carts, which would haul it to the nearest corner. Here I would have the melting machine. It would be in the form of a radiator, say 9 by 3 ieet, on wheels. A wire connects it with the trolley wire. The heat generated by the electric current "will melt the snow as rapidly as it can be hauled lip and thrown on the melting machine. The water runs out through a pipe at one corner of the machine into the gutter or sewer opening. "I have calculated that with six mea and carts all of the snow on a square like any of those on Market street between the city hall and the river can be gathered up and melted in half an hour." Mr. Mueller estimates the cost of each machine at not more than $250. The electricity, he thinks, the traction company would be willing to supply for nothing, as it would derive an equal advantage with the city in the rapid removal of the snow. Mr. Mueller has prepared working drawings of his plan and will submit them to the bureau of street cleanins.