Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-05-03

~ nooOibCU budb blC great duNalCl
in the last ten years in engineerinl
skill makes it fully practicable to dC
so"-that is, to take and maintain a
supply of water for Memphis from the
Mississippi. While there has been
great progress in engineering during
the past ten years, there has not, tC
my knowledge, anything been done in
solving a problem such as is presented
in the construction and preservation
ofworks for taking a supply Of water
from the Mississippi above the mouth
of Wolf river. But whether there
has or not matters very little, mas
much as the question twelve years age
was not, nor is it now, one of adequate
engineering skill as much as one OF
finance and common, practical bust
ness sense. That a supply can be
taken and maintained from the Miss
lssippi was admitted twelve years ago.
and is admitted now, but the reasons
why it was then and is now considered
unwise, inexpedientand impracticable
are as follows:
First.-Because the cost would be
greater than is justifable under exist
ing circumstance upon any grounds
or for any reasons which can be cited
in favor of it. To prove this, let the
effort be made to find individuals OF
corporations who will invest their
capital in such aD enterprise.
Second.-Because the works would
be liable to interruption by accidents
which the water department would be
powerless to guard against efectually
at reasonable cost, and with necessary
promptitude.
Third.-Because there is available
from Wolf river supply of better
water than can be obtained from the
Mississippi, and which can be availed
Of through the erection and mainten-
ance Of works entirely free from the
costly features which are inseparably
connected with works taking a supply
from the Mississippi.
Fourth-Because the fact of the
superiority of the water from Woli
river over that from the Mississippi
when both these waters are freed from
their sedimentary matter, is SO con.
clusively and irrefutably established
by the great number of analyses which
have been made, extending over a pc
riod of years, and by differen
chemists or analysts of unquestionabl,
capability and admittedly goot
reputation, as to address itself TO tn,
understanding and comprehension o
every intelligent citizen who has takel
the trouble to read the reports careful
ly and impartially. So palpable clea,
and conclusive is the evidence upol
the subject as to make any review O
it appear like an effort to prove tha
twice two are four, and therefore tn,
question OF the comparative purity o
the two waters cannot, it seems, an
longer continue to be one of sanitar
Importance or public concern, an,
consequently it should be dismisse,
from the minds ofthe people as a mat
ter the further consideration of whic
is calculated to delay the contemplate
works for rendering clear the waite
from Wolf river.
In conclusion, give it as my fri
conviction, that from and after tn
day that your company supplies th
people of Memphis with clear waite
from Wolf river, you will neve
hear any further discussion upon tn
question of its purity, healthfulnes
and suitability for every purpose fC
which your people may need water.
Very respectfully,
CHARLES HERMANY,
Consulting engineer.