Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-03-20
THE NEW RESERVOIR.
A Correspondents Views OF the Water
Boards Plans.

A Correspondents Views Of the Water
Boards Plans.
To the Editor Of The Register:
SIR:-When an undertaking involving
the expenditure Of large amount of the
city's money is about 10 be assumed, il Is
but Just and fair that the reasons actuating
its projectors be most fully laid before the
public, whose money is to be spent.
A violation of this course has heretofore
involved us in many an ill-advised and
hasty project in which the funds Of the
public treasury have been most recklessly
squsndered, and il Is TO avoid, as far as
possible, repetition of such blundeTs that
the following information is solicited:
There is now pending In Council pro-
jected high-service reservoir, the ostensihle
purpose of whichis TO reach those above the
present source Of supply, and % citizen ]
would, in this connection, submit TO its
projectors and advocates q few queries
which doubtless rice in the miads Of all
my fellow-townsmen who have at all con.
sidered the subject.
And first, would inquire what are the
deficiencies Of the present system which
render new one necessary? II were trite
to repeat the Oft quoted remark that no
city is more bountifully supplied than
Wheeling, and stroll about the town will
convince that the water Is most freely
and abundantly used. What, therefore,
the necessity for q new reservoir? il there
are houses above the present supply, we
would ask whether they were built before
our system OF water was inaupurated or
afterwards, and with the knowledge that
the water would not reach them, and
whether in either case the city Is bound
TO supply them? Do not the adyo-
Gates Of the plan assume the
role of the anarchist, who comes
unlimited to an existing order of things
and because it does not suit him, ignores
the already good government and seeks TO
change il without giving valid reason ?
1t would seem that II they built above the
supply, they should accept circumstances
as they found them and not seek TO over
turn the whole mechanism Of the city TO be
accommodated; more especially a. there
are districts lying below and not yet furn-
ished with the luid. But If the hill dwell
lers must he supplied, is there no better
way no auxiliary system by which they
can be more cheaply reachedp Must VIC
increase the pressure in all our mains and
houses TO reach the few and entail the ad-
ditional labor upon the water works en-
gines Of throwing higher all the water
where so little will be required? 4?
We would further ask the extent Of ter
ritory which renders the new TeservOir
necessary and whether mains are already
laid; and, rs the demand for the high ser
vice seems by no means general, whether
it really is to meet a common want or is
scheme manufactured by Councilman
who has recently built few houses in an
alley above the supply and desires 10 en-
hance the value Of bis property at the sx.
pense Of the city. II this Is so, would II
not be cheaper to buy him outf
A scheme entirely devoid of merit will
often succeed by united effort against dis.
organized and careless opposition; and q
few advocates with stonemasons, exca.
vatcrs and contractors as aids can easily
rush q specious and plausible project
through public body which has neither
time nor inclination 10 enquire minutsly
into its features.
~ "
IL Is the best plan; il the public--not O
private Northumberland II, Is IL worth
the cost? viii $4,000 build Il? Wha,
about the additional mains 10 be laid
What Of the increased power necessary
And above all, what Of tbs precedent,
which, compelling higher reservoir Il
reach those now above the supply, vii
compel successive ones as the populae'
climbs higher Again--for we are only
seeking nformatiou-whiles Supplying som,
should we not reach all? What Justice II
leaving any ont? The rule made now mus
bold for the future. If we build high ser
vice TO reach those now above the source
we must do 50 again. World we not bette
pllce the basin on the highest ayailabl,
point 10 anticipate future demands? w,
should improve all the outlying and mp
lying property at once for eeonomy's sake
Furthermore, We seek only to resolv,
our ignoranee-ought we not first TO reacl
those who can be supplied without III
additional cost? Should expense entitl'
the highlanders to preference?
Again we repeat that these are querie
which are rising to the lips OF rs all, ana
We ask them one OF another; querie
which we want fully and clearly ansgeret
before an undertaking is begun who's
necessity is not yet demo; strated; who's
purpose is not plain, and whose ultimat
expense is not computed.
PUBLIooLA.