, 1888-03-01
SPOKANE FALLS, MARCH /, 1888

AT n meeting of the council Friday
night proposition was submitted to
the board for the lease of ample water
power for an indefinite number of
years. The REVIEW is not subsidized
to stand in with any parties desirous
of making contracts with the city, but
this offer is worth considering from IA
business point OF view. III there is
any individual or firm that can ml,,e e
better offer il is hoped the council
will hear from them. The present 10
cation of the water works has been for
long time source OF grave appre-
hension to the citizens Of this place.
At the time the works were put in, the
city was compelled to put the pump
ing machinery in the lower floor of
the Echo mills. 1t is convenient
and roomy place, but the dread Of de-
struction by fire is continually hang
ing over the city. The mill is of the
most infammable material used in the
construction of large buildings, and
is liable to take fire at any moment
1t is so situated that at the very best
not more than two streams of water
could be turned on, and they could
not be used to any great effect. II
the building once caught fire it would
be impossible to save the valuable
pumping apparatus, and it would re-
quire several weeks before IA new plant
could be secured and placed in posi-
ton. In truth it has always been n
standing menace, and the subject Of
removal to II place Of greater safety
since the works were
: first started without arriving at
any conclusion. On account of inn
munity from fire the place has be-
CO.. e none the less dangerous but the
city not possessing the means to pur-
chase II site with the requisite power
has been compelled to trust in provi-
lence while waiting for something to
turn up by which it could be extract,d d
from the dilemma. Now here is the
opportunity presented for which the
authorities have so long waited, and
it deserves the most careful considera-
tion. There are many strong points
favoring the acceptance of the offer.
From the island designated both sides
OF the river can be readily reached.
This is very important point, AS the
north side cannot be debarred from the
conveniences of public water much
longer. Then there il ample room,
and, moreover, ample power to in
crease the present capacity many
times, another improvement that must
be met when the mains are extended
on the north side. In fact, with lit
tic more extension on the south side a
greater pressure will be necessary &c
make the works effective. And still
again,i lie provided that buildings will
not be erected within a prescribed
4 number Of feet OF the wafer works.
This in itself is very important. OF
course the city would not put up any
thing in the shape of n building for
the pumping machine that
was not altogether or nearly
fire proof, but the absence of struc-
lures in the immediate neighborhood
would make the building doubly se-
cure. According to the proposition
all the expense the city would be at
would be the erection of building,
the necessary removal OF the plant and
extension of the mains, and the yearly
rental, which is stated in plain figures.
We doubt If more liberal offer will
ever be made the city, and it could not
be u cheaper investment, unless the
city had the means to buy site with
power. Even such an investment
would hardly be judicious, for if the
place continues to grow for the next
two years as it promises to grow now
the water supply must be drawn from
some place on the river further away
from the centre of the city. Fairly
considering the proposition OF the Spo-
kane Mill Co. and we believe THAI the
public will favor its acceptance.
n Stair Builders.
For first class Job Of stair work. go to
n ~