The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-10-13
CITy INTELLIGENCE.
THE ,gAzER QUESTION IN WASHINGTON No

Il N II a
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THE ,gATER QUESTION IN WAsHLNGT0N--No s.
n Hon. jams g. Bara, Mayor Of Washington
We have now gone through, in my last paper. (So p
tom The best data proeuable he reports Of the tom
panies themselves and underworld I 70 I'M
- - t,a water works of each city named the cost
- oonstruction the capacity; the daily consumption
o. annnal expenses and revenue and other points Of in
trrest synopsis Of this may be offered
Coat, Capacity, consampc'n, Exposes, Rev,
phi. .ph ss s ls1sS7os lSl5ess 1000 900 900
Boston On: % s soeS oS 100000 1SIss1
Albany. I'll 100000 100000
3 BoasG ISsm loOosaT ooo 80 90
: GSiessol Il. 10000 100000
~ ~ A,s%orS 1s5oOOo l1o,6Oe
~ ~ WashSeton . 100000 26oooOioOo
And wa now approach the important question, as
ested In my first paper, with these lights before us
as 10 the best and most appropriate mode ny which the
"tics of Washington and Georgetown may be supplied
yi,b an unfailing and abundant supply of good and
,,holesome water" We have much reason to be thank
fnI that these works were planned carried on, and
completed, by the skill and knowledge Of SO COM
,ert mn engineer as Captain Meigs. The error
mo which In almost every case, the constructors Of
have fallen is, that they have made pro-
,son either in the extent or character of their plans
Gar tbe future progress of the city. London is sur
nd by sixty steam engines yet committees in ParlL-
Icnt and commissioners constantly discussing how
halter supply of water be furnished to the Metropo
liz Tie complaint in New York, costly and extern
ye as are the works. that they do not meet the wants
Of the community Cincinnati II will be seen, will have
IN reconstruct her works on this very So Of
PHILADELPHIA The advice of Houghton to engineers
seems to be unheededBe sure 10 build large enough; you
tuH find difficult 10 0rer-est'mHe.
This error was plainly and avoided by Captain
Meips According to his estimate the capacity of the
reservoir will be $50 900 900 gallons 1t will allow
daily consumption Of 81 OBS 400 gallons BY the lber
aty OF the the water will be peryadng
the avenue from the reservoir at the Falls to the navy
ward distance of about fifteen miles. From this
abundant reservoir how the water to be conducted to
the houses Of the inhabitants There three modes
that suggest themselves by which the water can be
brought to the house of each inhabitant
l. BY Congress.
IT, BY the corporation OF the city. .#l.a
Ill By a corporate company
AS to the first it is idle to hope for such beralty,
Already Congress- with prnccly municence has formed
the reservoir laid the mains at the expense Of more than
two millions of dollars.
ton Of the city without legislation giving them
power to create debt lay additional tax. At the
last election held in this city this water question to
raising tax the people submitted to the people.
most meagre vote cast, and decided by vote of
1904 to 49, Experience has shown that when heavy
amounts Of money extensive patronage is vested
in agents, who held their power from corporations,
abuses are far frequent than when that searching
operation of all governments and society pirate interest
with its Argus every act and examines every
contract Too often he right to do illdeeds makes ILL
deeds DONE. If this is impolitic then fall on the
third modea corporate company, composed of indvid
ual stockholders. This too, can only BIO done by
authority from Congress creating company to raise the
funds construct the pipes and supply at allow rate every
house in the city The average annual rate paid by each
house using water in Philadelphia is SIS 49, The pres
ent scattered condition OF the houses the limits of
Washington would necessarily involve large outlay for
pipe, and ii might be question whether for the pres
ent could be furnished either by the corporation
any company at much lower figure. One fact is fixed
in the mind of every thinking citizen of the community
that there mus, be system, regularity, and certainty 70 The
operations he war umAs To secure this there must be
head to devise and hands to execute If this latter
mode be Objectionable then the work must be carried on
by power from the corporationa water board be
established, who, petition Of the property holders
with permit from the Mayor from the water board
shall lay down the pipe make all necessary fixtures and
who shall have power to make such rules and regulations
shall be necessary and expedien This perhaps the
best and most feasible mode. And here this question is
left to other and ADLER hands by AQUARIUS.