The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-07-03
THE CRY FOR WATER.
Delays Of the Council Con-
demned by the Chamber.
JUDGE LEWIS DEMANDS ACTION.
He Secures a Unanimous Vote in Favor
Of COMMUNICATION De-
tends the Council.


phat;c expression to its opinion on the
necessity for prompt action in securing an
adequate water supply at its meeting yes
terday afternoon. When all other bust
ness had been disposed OF. Judge ]. r.
Lewis arose and moved the following reso-
lutions. which were seconded by Alfred
Holman:
WHEREAS, There is an immediate necessity
for an increased supply Of fresh water in our
city: and
wHEsEAs, Our people have voted an ade-
qua'e sum OF money 70 procure and furnish
such supply; and
WHEREAS, Our people demand and insist that
an adequate supply OF water be furnished I'M
medihtey; therefore be it
Resolved. BY the Chamber OF Commerce OF the
city OF Seattle, that the mayor and council of
said city be requested at once to appoint COM
mittee OF five citiz ms and electors with full
power and authority to procee at oGce TO take
con'rol and management of the wafer system
and works of the city, complete the purchase of
the Spring Hill company's works aud with the
msterial and funds provided at once complete
all work necessary to furnish an adequate sup
ply of water from Lake Washington for the city.
and that the secretary at once furnish copy of
these resolutions to the mayor and city council
Of the city.
Judge Lewis reviewed the history of the
water question since the fire, recalled the
peoples demand for an adequate water
supply and the steps taken by the council
in the matter. The people last summer
had promptly vored money for the pur-
cbase of the Spring Hill plant and for its
extension and the enlargement of the sup
ply, said Judge Lewis, but nothing was
done. The council had been notified that
the present supply was totally inadequate
to the city's needs and that the pumps
were also inadequate and were now so
taxed that they were liable to break down
at any moment and leave the city without
any water at all. The Spring Hill COM
pany had offered 70 supply pumps, extend
the mains and make the supply adequate
within ninety days for $4,000, but that
time had elapsed and nothing had been
done. The legislature bad convened and
new lass had been passed extending the
city's powers OF issuing bonds for this pur-
pose. The people were again asked to vote
for new order of things, and they almost
unanimously voted all the money asked for
The fact was that the council was totally
incompetent or dishonest-he would put it
on the ground of incompe!ency. The
pipes had been bought, but they were still
lying on the streets, because it was discov-
cred that they had no lead and then that
they had no rs. The people had gotscorched
once and they felt little tender about
this subject, and this fire last night had
made them feel still more tender abou: the
amount of valuable property in danger of
destruction. The Tokas-Singerman block
which was full of valuable goods, was in
imminent danger during the West street
fire. A little wind and the whole block on
West street would have gone.
The council was so incompetent that its
incompetence amounted to dishonesty.
Instead of providing for the urgent needs
of the city, it was constantly running after
some Jack-o'-Lantern scheme. 1t found
half dozen street railway schemes and
was rushing them through before the new
charter was adopted.
There was point beyond which the tenn
per of the people could not be taxed. They
should be like Cromwell and say to the
council, "Get you gone out of this cham
Der, which you are in no wise competent to
FILL"
"We have no fire boat, and the water
front property is in danger. My residence,
your residence and this residence are in
danger of being burned"
1t had been thought that there was some
combination between the city and the
Spring Hill company to let the company
make as much money as possible out OF
the water-wOrks, but he was told that the
company was urging the council to take
the works and put them in good shape
The company said it could have put them
in good shape in year, but nothing had
been done. 1t was said that the bonds had
not been voted properly, but the company
had offered to take those bonds in pay
ment. The only solution was that the
council was totally incompetent The
people should take the work out of its
hands and appoint commission.
Mr.. Holman. in seconding the resolu-
ton, said that four months ago the ques-
ton was whether we Should have water
from Cedar river. The people were almost
unanimous against that scheme and it was
dropped. 1t seemed. however, that the
council was still trying to force that scheme
upon the city. Every step taken was ap-
.,arently with view to bring in Cedar
river water whether the people wanted it
or not. Although nearly four months had
passed. nothing had been done toward in
creasing our reservoir capacity, and we
were apparently no nearer the end of de-
lays than before. Mr.. Holman agreed with
Judge Lewis that the council had demon.
strated its incapacity TO handle this matter
of water supply, and heartily endorsed the
resolution.
Percy w. Rochester endorsed the reso-
luton in a brief speech and it was unani-
mousy adopted.
DR.. Robbins said they had very strong
resolutions. but no one to present them.
He moved that a committee OF three be
appointed to present the resolutions to the
council. with Judge Lewis as chairman.
Judge Lewis objected to this arrange
ment and suggested that the secretary send
a copy over to the council This sugpes.
ton was adopted and DR.. Robbins motion
was dropped.