The Indianapolis journal., 1888-09-10
THE NEED OF PURE WATER.
Councilmsn Think that Stringent Measures
Should Be Taken to Secure Ii.

Since an outline of the forthcoming report Of
The City Board Of Health regarding the water
companys supply has been published, the coun-
cilmen are talking about the action they will
probably take to put more restriction on the
company. Zone thing is certain" said OF
them yesterday, 1--WE will pay the company no
more money until we are positive that it is full
filing its part Of the contract with the city. Ii
must furnish water from the gallery exelu-
sively, and must be able to furnish eight streams
one hundred freet high an hour. i think we
should make several more tests, and il it 10
demonstrated, as good many believe. that the
contract cannot be carried out without using
water from the canal, then We should compel
the company to build another conduit line from
the gallery to the well at the power
house. There are TWO things We must do.
First We must have assurance that there is a
supply of water sufficient to meet the demand
of coniagrstion; and second, We must know
that the canal cannot be drawn apon without
first informing the people. lt is not worth
while to berate the company for their past acts,
all we can do is to be sure that the people are
to be protected in the future
Councilman Darnsli, who 10 responsible for
the investigation being held. save he is not sur
prised at what the health board discovered. II
will always feel sore because the Council took
the investigation out OF my naouS, salO ne.
when L made the charge in Council that the
company were taking water from both the river
and the canal good many councimen didn't
believe it; but L knew what was talking about,
have the afidavits yet, aud do not propose
to give them up. When the report of the
health board is submitted to the Coun Gil next
Monday night. l shall produce my evidence, and
from it make my speech upon the report"
"Vhat action do you think the Courcil will
takef he was asked.
''I do not know, but am in favor Of sealing
the valve that connects the we'll at the power
touse with the canal, aud providing q heavy
penalty for breaking the seal without first Civ
ing notice to the people by at least one days
publication in the newspapers. There is ques-
tion whether IL would be q wise thing to require
the company to take out the pipes connecting
the river and the canal. There might be time
when it would be absolutely necessary to draw
upon ono or both Of the streams to save the city
from destruction, but /, a citizen, want to be
assured that the connection is not to be made
unless the poopls are warned. also think that
the company should give the people notice after
they have worked out the mains following the
the Council will take such action as will prevent
the use of canal water in the future"
There is considerable curiosity among tn ose
who responsible for the exposure >of the
company to know what obiect' the water COM
pary has in demanding the affidavits OF it's
ployes, and summoning them to appear before
the board OF directors to-day. A councilman
says he believes the company will attempt to
intimidate the men into making counter affida-
Wits, with view of breaking the weight Of the
testimony the health board secured. Tho off,
GERS OF the company, however. say they will
have 10 word OF censure for their employees who
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