Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1886-07-29
Water Works.

Water Works.
Editor Alert:
Shall the artesian well project now be
defeated? Surely not, unless better rea-
sons can be given than those that may
be gathered round techDlcality. A
technicallty is never broad or progressive;
has no philanthropy. For reasons COM
mensurate in importance with the most
vital interests OF our city we need water
works of kind afforded by the artesian
project, than which no other plan ever
under contemplation by our council has
been so economical and propitlous to
our CITY, The need has never been ques-
tioned-only the kind has been under
dispute. The law of representation
must prevail in municipalities, in other
forms also than insurance companies, to
reach the healthiest development. While
we may not expect at once all the pro-
tective appliances in western town, the
time has come when jamestown should
have water works; and so pressing Is the
need that defeat of the enterprise now
can be nothing less than damage to the
city and block IN the way of its pro-
gress. The writer speaks not for himself,
for he has no property that would be
materially benefited, but for the city IN
general, its safety and growth, IN which
we all are interested, and upon whose in
stitutions and industries we are depend
ent for bread and comfort.
The industries that combine to compose
and support society have claim on all
members of society whom they benefit
protection not only against the burglar
but against the flames. Society that will
not protect against these Ills cannot ex.
pect to thrive.
The Northern Pacific railroad has
buildings and contents within the city
limits valued at 5000, 900. The company
distributes to its employees who have
their headquarters among us s15, 900 per
month.
The planning mill furnishes labor TO
twelve men and distributes $1,000 per
month 1t affords facilities to city and
rural districts worthy of consideration.
The Alert printing establishment fur
nlshcs employment to dozen men and
boys, and monthly distributes some six or
eight hundred dollars. The flour mill,
with 100 bbls. per day capacity, Is an i'm
portant factor in the city and North Da-
kota-beneicial to farmer, merchant and
mechanic. The Jamestown Hotel Com
pany, with a capital of sl00, 900, not only
beautlties our town, but accommodates to
commodious quarters many of our citi-
zens, also visitors and travellers, bringing
to us advantages only first. class hotel
can secure. And in addition to all this, 49,
600 comes from this source into our stores
aud groceries every month, which con-
tributes not little to keeping the wolf
from all doors and life on our streets.
There are four other hotels combinedly
dong as much business and making equal
distributions.
Then look at the elevators, the stores
of metropolitan proportions. banking
houses, printing offices, four livery sta
bles, averaging twenty-five horses each.
All these industries are essential to q
thriving community-no one of them can
suffer without also affecting the others,
yet each is hourly exposed to the devour-
ing flames.
The school house-what did 1t cost ?
We employ ten teachers TO instruct six
hundred pupils, and pay out $4,000. One
fire there-who could estimate the depre-
cation and loss
We have six church buildings, costing
$4,000, 5000, $4,000, s2.5oo, $1,000, s2,-
500. If either of them IS burned 1t can
not now be replaced.
With no water works or the immediate
prospects of them, what capitalist would
invest in costly structures in our midst?
l have in mind business property valued
at $25oO. 1t lies exposed to the fire with
an insurance of per cent. If burned,
owner will not only lose the buildings but
the city will lose the taxes. Every fire is
a loss to the city, for it removes SO much
taxable property.
Good water works, as protection
against fire, would secure to US the indus
tries we already have. 1t would inspire
with confidence men of capital to make
additional improvements. 1t would de-
crease the rate of insurance and increase
the taxable property. Itwould insure the
speedler replacement Of buildings de-
stroyed by fire, and inspire feeling of
safety necessary 10 the happiness and
prosperity of q community. And by pro-
per handling as city franchise, it could
be made q source of revenue, as water
works are in many eastern cities. Let
enterprise not be defeated on a mere
techn1cality. j. d. d.
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