, 1876-07-02

WILL A-AA 4~N lAAEA4N AAs
4 serious question now occupies the atten-
ton Of the City Council. There are several
hundred thousand dollars of the appropria-
tions Of last year which are yet unexpended.
These are for improvements Of various kinds,
water, sewers, viaducts, paving street
intersections, the Fullerton avenue conduit,
and various other matters. It has been pro-
posed to discontinue all these works, and
thus retain unexpended the balances of these
appropriations, Tie. proposition is in the
right direction, and with soma notifications
wise one. In every case where no contract
has been made, the appropriation should be
rescinded- In every case where q contract
has been let, but, in view of the fact that
the city will hare no money to pay the con-
tractor For the work, comparatively little has
baen done, or where the contractors will be
willing to surrender their contracts, the
further prosecution Of the work should be
arrested. In every case where it will be
cheaper and more economical to discontinue
work, without involving the city too Sc
rious1y in damages, expenditure should be
suspended until such time as the city may be
able to command the mems to 60 on with
general expenditure.
There are, however, certain works already
under progress upon which large sums have
been expended, and which it would be far
more economical to 60 on with than to stop.
The extension Of the Water Works is so near
completion, we understand, that, if not
arrested, it can be finished within thirty or
forty days. This work has cost m immense
sum Of money. The new lake tunnal, the
tunnel under the city, the new buildings, the
purchase and placing of the costly and
magnificent machinery, the laying Of the
immense mains 6ll around the city prepara-
tory to the reception and distribution of the
duplicate suppl! Of waterfall these have
been completed It only needs now the con-
nection of the works with the existing sys-
tenn to make all these things available, and
to furnish the city from the circumference to
the centre with an abundance of water at On
equaIzed pressure. Az fur back as 1869 the
necessity for this increased water-supp1y and
means Of distribution was foreseen, and
steps were taIen to obtain the authority
to make the expenditure. As long ago
as 1870 the city borrowed the money with
which to make this improvement. Though
interrupted anG delayed by the great fire,
the public have never lost sight Of the neces-
sity for this work, and it has been prose-
cuted until now it lacks but thirty days
labor to make it complete. Is it advisable
or economical in any sense to leave this
vast expenditure Of probably ST., 600
wholly unavailable, and the buildings and
machinery idle, when thirty days additional
work will give to the city the long-needed
and long-desi1sd additional water-supply?
It should net be forgotten that We have
still in the southwestern part Of the city
many acres covered with wooden buildings.
In that same district, and leading to it, there
arc possibly IS many as SO miles of unim-
proved streets on which, during large part
of the year, It is impossible to haul fire.
engines. It has been but few months
since IN entire block OF buildings was
burned down, while three engines were stuck
in the mud within sight of the fire, and with
others unable 10 render the least assistance,
But with the completed Water Works, and
the additional pressure, the fre-engines
in all such cases will not be Indispensable;
hose attached to the 6re-plug will throw
strong stream over the highest building, and
admitting ofinstant use. For the protection
of the city against the spreading of fire in
that district he finishing Of the new Water
Works will b equivalent to the services Of
the whole Ere Department; it will at least
enable the Fire Department with their hose
to operate as effectively as if their engines
weze available. In~no event, therefore,