The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-12-29


Seattle has three big oh5eets 70 accom- ElisA.
Each i iIaYerativssv required, and without
avoiaahle delay. AIIhavs been determined
upo.1. Ore is the extension and snerease
CT water supply; another the Improvements
OF CIR sewage system: anoEher conapve-
herstige system Of grading and paving
streets and construction Of sidewalks and
crossings.
Managed Is economically as possible,
each OF these Is al expensive undertaking.
Ia each ease i Is essential that the work
shall be vel d0ne-no halfway or slip-shod
business and it IS highly essential that
close economy shall be praetised- IL goes
without saying that these operations can
be carried ont With better effect. ard At a
very considerable saving Of expense, If done
on one general and harmonious plan and
under one general supervision
Any person of ordinary common sense
must perceive thar il the water supply Is
one distinct and separately managed
scheme, and the sewage system another,
and the street improvements still another,
there viii be constant liability for the one
to interfere with the other, frequently neces-
stating the undoing of what has been done
and doing il over sgain, interminable COM
fusion, and serious Interference with
business.
IL would be reckless extravaganza. little
short of madness. 10 attempt the carrying
on of these operations independently the
one OF the other. No sound business man
would think Of such course in connection
with his private affairs. A harmonious
plan and q single management is the only
rational course TO pursue.
1t is plain that the necessities OF The case
demand the organization OF board OF
public works, composed Of the best quali-
fed men in the municipality, shrewd and
cautious business raen. commanding uni
versai confidence, and that no time be lost
in eifecting this arrangement They viii
need some time 70 study and confer. and
mature their plans. and when ali this is
done. it will necessarily require consider
cradle further time to get matters in shape
for carrying out those plans.
But there are indications that this plain
demand OF public interest is to meet oppo-
sition whence il would be more reasonable
to expect hearty approval. 1t is
pretty well settled that the members Of the
council, or q majority of them, viii throw
obstacles in its way. 1t is impossible to
reconcile such action on their part with an
unselfsh regard for the public welfare.
There can be no honest profit to them
in undertaking this great task
themselves, and a people viii
ingly submitting to heavy taxation TO
accomplish these necessary public improve
ments viii not submit 10 have the funds
raised for this purpose diverted or reck-
lessly expended. The interests OF the city
and its people are too heavily at stake. and
these are not to be sacrificed because of
selfish aud irrational opposition from any
quarter, especially from quarter whence
there are good reasons, founded on recent
acts Enthusiastically suggestive, for appre-
bending Encouragement and misappli-
cation of funds.
BY ell means let us have a properly con-
stituted board of public works as speedily
as possible. There Is no sense in hating
or hesitating about this matter. which
every consideration Of public welfare indi-
Gates as vitality important.