, 1884-01-19
FORGING AHEAD.
Spokane Falls Will have
Water Works.
ANOTHER GREAT WANT SUPPLIED.

Supplied. Situated as It IL ON ~
banks Of a stream containing an un-
limited quantity of pure, good water
the city has been without an ade-
quate supply of this indispensable
fluid. On account Of the nature Of
the under stratums well digging has
always been attended with great eX-
pense and trouble, and often with
disappointment, and the number Of
supply assures Of this character is
very small. In the heart Of the city
there is but one well, and the bust
ness houses and private residences
are compelled to rely on a water car
rier for the liquid necessity. For
fire purposes the town has been COM
pletely without water, thus putting
it at the mercy Of the flames with
out hope Of successfully resisting the
encrOachments of the fiery element.
Now we can look forward for an
early release from this undesirable,
dangerous and unpleasant predica-
ment. Spokane Falls is to be fur
nished with an abundant supply of
cheap and pure water, and that at no
distant date. 1t will require much
time and labor to carry out an enter
prise of such magnitude, but it is
safe to anticipate that water will be
distributed by the means Of pipes
through our principal streets by next
fail. 1t is another long stride toward
marking out the future now so rich
in promises and which is bound to
result in fulfillments. With water
works and the twin companion gas
works, the city is provided with two
great public necessities without
which no place can be considered as
a city. The question Of water and
gas has been one that has occupied
the attention Of our Councilmen.-fo
months, and the air has been rife
with rumors regarding the cOnstruc-
.-tiuII Uf tiTcse EivsirEbir Er4uisitivuss
without any certainty connected
with the reports. Numerous offers,
from good, reliable parties, have
been presented under both heads,
but up to the present week no def
mite action has been taken in the
premises. In this article we have
to do with the water question alone.
/ In December the first decisive steps
were taken as regards water works.
Offers were presented to the City
I Council by several parties, and two
hot and excitingmeetings were held.
On account Of the new charter hang
ing in allegiance, no action was taken,
it being announced that at the first
regular meeting Of the Council in
January propositions for. both gas
and water would be received and
the first one presented would be
accepted by the Board. In due
time this meeting was held. Two
or more propositions were submitted,
and the discussions awakened there
by were numerous and sometimes
slightly tinctured with acrimony.
The meeting adjourned to meet
again and repeated the adjournment
act, in the meantime a committee to
which the proposals were submitted
| held long and careful sessions, aided
and advised by good legal authOri-
ties. The proceedings eliminated
Monday night in the acceptance Of
the proposal offered by William II.
Taylor and Thomas c. Grifitts, and
an Ordinance was adopted giving
those gentlemen franchise for con-
strdcting and conductin water works
in Spokane Falls. Both the gentle
men above named are comparative
strangers to our people, having re-
Gently taken up their residence here.
They have, however, won the re-
spect of all with whom they have
come in contact. Mr.. Taylor is an
old resident of Salt Lake City, where
he was one of the principal owners
of the Tribune. He is a gentleman
Of fine business capacity, Of pleasing
address and stood high in the conf
dence and esteem Of the people Of
his former home. He commands
considerable capital, and since set
tling here has paid attention to grain
buying. Mr.. Griffitts is an attorney
by profession, and mp to a recent
date was also resident Of Salt Lake
City. He has given evidence Of be-
ing a young gentleman Of more than
ordinary ability, and has that push
and snap to him that indicates a man
competent and ready to carry out
any project he may embark in. We
do not believe we err in judgment
when we predict that Messrs. Taylor
& Grifitts are just the right men in
the right place and that they will
carry out every item Of their contract
fairly, honestly and hOnorably.
With this introduction we take up
the last meeting Of the Council, re
ferring to the following DOCUMENTS
for full information regarding the
proposed new water works
An adjourned meeting Of the City
Council was held Monday evening,
january IA, 1884. On motion A. NJ.
Cannon was chosen Chairman. Pres
ent-E. J. Candy, A. M. Cannon,
DIR. B. F. Burch, w. C. Gray and
p. Deuber, Absent-Mayor Glover,
F. Fredenrich and J. NJ. Grimmer.
Minutes Of last meeting were read