The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1884-07-19
THE WATER SUPPLY,
MORE ON A vExED SUBJECT.
The Southwestern Water Supply Com
pany Ask TO be Heard, a uistoT-
zeal Statement and Huge
Budget of Figures.

DALLAS, July Is Editors HERALD
-Asthe public have seen the pronuncia-
mento Of Mr.. Chester Davis in your col
umns, we think it fair that we should be
heard. Going back a little in the history
OF Dallas water supply: In January last
the Southwestern Water Supply com
pany composed of Messrs. Clownev
John Stone, Dargan and TreZevantj
made an offer to the City Council about
as follows: To furnish the city 1000, 600
gallons per day, placed in the reservoir,
Tor S30,OUO cash, or would continue TO fur
hlsh u for $4,000 per annum; the city to
pay $lOWO If taken any time in five
years, or if they compelled the company
to furnish l,O00000 gallons Il day for ten
years, the city then to take it at $4,000.
me whole question in Dallas is and al
ways has been: elbow and
Where To get water?" That
question once solved any contractor
can estimate the cost of the work. The
company agreed to furnish the water i'm
four months, thus insuring an ample
supply in time for summer use to The
city. 1t was not to cost the city sim
gle dollar unless the water was fur
nished rs proposed. If success, the
question was quickly and cheaplv
solved as to water-Works. The then
Chairman of the Water committee was
opposed to any such cheap plan: visions
OF foreign capital and magnificent
system of basins, reservoirs, stone dams
ana beautiful pump-house, on the
marble front of which was engraved
III large capitols, "Built in lSSl--Chair-
man Water committee" were too much
Tor ms business equilibrium, and the
inexpensive plan was "sat upon" by the
expensive Chairman. This action re-
suited in the present water ramino in
Dallas. Another election in the city
changed the complexion of the
appears at the head Of The
Water committee. Energetic to de
gree, and nothing if not practical, he
at once sees that the heart of the uuos
tlon is how and whore to get water. And
II the Southwestern Water SupDly com
pany can furnish it by gang wells, the
question of cheap water supply is solved
ana ltS solution costs the city nothing.
me X-Chairman however is not easily
Squelched, and Immediately following
ms recent trip to Chicago comes telc-
5ram IRON Chester Davis to the MAYOR
20 mold the fort until he, Davis, can
ne heard from, The three DAYS labor of
I II
tal (which had at heart the interest of
Dallas alone) brought forth mouse of
thc most dlminutiyc species. Davis
says first, 1.-THE Southwestern Water
supply company charges You too much
Tor water" Second, "The water is NOT
there" "ChicagO capitalists will build
a splendid system and take The
city corporation i'm as pards."
Poor consolation to taXpavers
that the city should have $l0O,OO0 stock
III water works, costing 5000, 900 in cash,
stocked for $5OO,0O0, upon which amount
property in Dallas is taxed to pay divi-
uends. And I'VE" the Chicago con
tractors, pocket the difference between
actual cost. 100000, and market value
Oh ToW,OOO bonds. 1t does not take the
oSe oi prophet to SEQ a neat transaction
III Whlch Chester Davis and his capitol
lists turn an honest ca penny. besides
having all costly original SURVEYS and
estimates for their Chicago CORPORATION
already paid for by the city of Dallas.
Mr.. Davis says the Water SUNNY COM
pany charge the city too much Tor water.
a. ne or any one else can do IL for less
they are welcome. Our offer has been
an open one for six months, and we don't
hear of any individual or corportation
oHerlng to "cut the rate" His first OH
lection Is I'm view of his second, } trivial.
merely thrown in TO fill thcpage. IIissec,
ohd objection is, the "watcr isn't there. -
against which he stakes what?-his PRO-
,GsSlonal reputation. "There are more
Things in heaven and earth, IIoratio.
man are dreamed of in (y)ourphiloso.
phy." We who have kept IN with the
discussions on deep water at Galveston
ana New Orleans have heard of several
professional regulations of brilliant
rlfil engineers being smashed: and the
END Is not yet. When Mr. Davis can
tel us where the water supply comes
rom which fills the basin for six Sonarc
miles south of town; why there is aLont
same quantity there in fall aud summer
as IN spring and winter, we may Give
need To his vaporings. lie stakes his
reputation il isn't there. We stake our
money, that it is there, and are williug
TO let the public judge which is worth
the most on this market
SOUTHWESTERN WATER SUPPLY Co.
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