, 1884-05-24
WATER WORKS.
The Holly System to supply
Spokane Falls.

delays, and frequent disappoint-
ments it now looks as though the
long hoped for water works for the
suffering city of Spokane Falls were
to be constructed and put in operation
at once, or as soon as the piping can
arrive and work be pushed ahead
No city Of this size in the country
ever felt the want Of an abundance
Of water to so great an extent as mas
Spokane, Notwithstanding the exis-
tence of as fine a stream as ever
flowed between two banks, fretting
its shores right in town. On account
of the rocky formations and the great
depth to go to reach water in the
greater portion of the city, a well is
luxury enjoyed by very few, and
the mass OF the population has de-
pended upon carriers to supply the
fluid for domestic use. That this
primative system is to be superseded
by one of the most improved modern
water works in use, will be hailed
by the entire public with thanksgiY-
ing. Last winter several PROPOSE
tions were presented to the city cOun.
ell for putting in works here, one of
which was accepted. Those to whom
the franchise was granted turned
over the same to w. r. Moore, Chas.
Sweeny and others, this spring.
These gentlemen have carried on
exhaustive correspondence with
number Of firms representing various
systems in vogue throughout the
United States, and have at last settled
upon a plan. When Mr.. Moore under
takes anything Of a business charac-
ter it can be depended upon that
1t will never linger along for the
want Of pushing. lie does not per-
nit things Of that nature, in which
he Is interested, to rest, and in this
case he has never ceased to work
until all his plans were consummated.
Recently he has had engineers here
from the east, who have looked over
the ground, calculated the cost and
explained the advantages of the vari-
GUS methods Of conducting water
through pipes for city uses. Mr..
Moore at last decided upon the Hol-
ly system, that has been used so sue
cessfully and with so much satisfac-
tion in many cities OF the Union.
Tuesday Of this week a contract was
entered into with Philip Buehner,
Esq, Of st. Paul, agent for the Holly
works, who gives good and sufficient
bonds for the faithful performance
of the work. Mr.. Buehner spent
several days in the city surveying
the land and making his calculations.
According to the agreement entered
into the works are TO be completed
by the first Of November, that time
being granted to the contractor in
case any delays may be experienced
in receiving material. The pumping
will be done by water power, and the
water taken from the north branch
Of the river. A twelve-inch main
will be laid out Howard street, ex-
tending two blocks beyond the rail-
road. Capacious lateral pipes will
extend east and wcat along Front
street, Main street, Riverside avenue,
Sprague street, First and Second
streets AS rapidly as the pipes are
laid valves will be inserted at the
cross streets, thereby furnishing
water as it is being built. The Holly
is one of the best systems in use.
With the pressure at command an
unlimited supply of water can be
furnished, and in case Of fire is capa-
BILE of throwing streams to the roofs
of six-story buildings. With these
works in operation engines are un.
necessary, and the city will only be
at the expense Of hose and carts
and with an abundant supply Of the
former the town will be comparative1
ly free from all danger from fire.
The pumps are the perfection Of me-
chanism, working automatically.
When fire-plug is opened anywhere
in the city a bell rings at the works,
and in a second the fire pressure Is
applied. Double pumps are furnished
so that in case one becomes out of
order, through any cause whatever,
the other can be turned on imlnedi-
ately. Orders for the necessary
piping, the very best manufactured,
have been forwarded, and as soon as
1t arrives we may look for active
work until the great object is OBJ
tanned. 1t will require an expendi-
ture of at least $4,000 as a starter,
and the money is ready. After con-
stantly harping on and advocating
water works for a year, it gives us
pleasure to be able to report 50 early
completion Of the desired object,
and 1t is also a matter for rcongratula-
tion that the parties to operate the
scheme are old-time residents, who
have the public welfare at heart, and
owning large property interests, will
conduct the enterprise with fairness
respecting the rights Of all property
holders, never taking advantage
Of their power to abuse the privilege
granted by the city authorities. We
expect those interested in this enter
prise to make money out Of it, il not
immediately,yet In the near future,
and they deserve torealize something
on the investment, as they are put
ting good hard money in a public
venture which will be a godsend to
the place.