Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1890-07-25
THE WATERS EDGE
That = About Where the Council
Now Is
TIE FIVE TEST WELLS 10 Be SUyK
Peaceful MsstiAs of The CoGaeiI Last
sishf. whsn ths BssiaHiRs az the
Rad OF oar " at~r oasstioa Mas
Reachsd-EisctFIe R4Iisay

At the special meeting Of the council
last evening al the aldermen we're IA
their places except Aldermen saunders
and IateuIn. Mayor Uhl presided.
The report OF the Committee on
WAYS and Means was presented recon-
mendng the adoption OF the propOsl-
ton Of the Cook Well Company Of st.
Louis substantially as heretofore pub
Lshed.
The moment the question was fairly
before the council earnest discussion
began. The talk, from beginning TO
end, was al discussion and 10 oratory.
Not since the water question has been
confronting the people Of the city has
been manifested 50 earnest and serious
a determination 10 settle Il N a ra-
tOnal way, once and for all. Opinions
on details differed, but the sentiment
was unanimous throughout the evening
that Grand Rapids must have pure
water, and have II now.
Mr. Cook, Of the Cook Well Com
pauy, was present 10 assist the alder
men ia coming 10 A proper understand
ngof what his company were able and
willing 70 do.
IN moving toward any specific con-
clusiOn, the main difficulty of the alder
men VAS TO keep 10 plans that did not
lose sight of the economical use OF the
present water mains and pumping
works. On this point Mr.. Cook himself
was very uncertain, and, III response 10
q question by Alderman Turner, he
sald that he could not be sure to obtain
eight or ten million gallons daily from
the locations already selected, while
twenty-five millions might possibly be
obtained.
In response 10 an inquiry by Alder
man stein, Mr.. Cook said that the wa
ter might all be obtained from one To-
cahty or from two. according 10 cir
cumstances. President DAVIS, of the
Board OF Public Works, reminded the
council # they went far without the
city. I must cost much more for extra
pumping than 10 put IN two plants
nearer oy. He said that the locations
for the first tests had been selected IN
the northern part OF the city. for the
reason that the present system OF mains
begins IN the nOrth and the mains di-
mInlsh IN size southwark. II pumping
works should be put IN III any other
part OF the city, there would be the
great expense OF changing this arrange
ment.
Much discussion was had 10 come TO
an understanding of the actual effect of
closing the proposed con tract with the
Cook company.
The clerk read a communication from
the Rusk Arteslan Well Company, ask
ing opportunity TO make proposals to
the city.
Also a representative of the VIM. ID.
Andrews Company, assignee of Nelson
W. Green, alleged Inventor of the drive
well. was present TO make proposals to
the council.
Much discussion was had as TO the
responsibility of the city after the pro-
posed tests shall have been made, and
Mr.. Cook answered all questions with
frankness and generally with satisfac-
ton. tie felt so confident of his ability
to furnish the requisite quantity of
pure water that be was willing to
absolve the city from further oblga-
NA0AaN "a htA AtAI ktoAN "NiG 4t1AkCs
After various amendments TO the
original motion, all looking 10 the best
way 20 get the tests made without
further Obhgahng the city, the whole
matter Bas referred to the city attorney
and the Board of Public Works, with
instructions 10 draw up = suitable con-
tract with the Cook Well Company for
tive test wells. and present the same to
the next meeting Of the council.
The Committee on Streets presented
a report recommending that the Grand
Rapids Electric Railway Company be
authorized 20 use the r. Z. Morris IRON
poles. or similar ones. and the Brown
oCtaConal wooden pole, IN such manner
and places as the council may direct.
Alderman ODOuneN moved an
amendment providing that for Canal
st.. between Bridge and Lyon, a pole
with additional ten feet, or forty feet in
all be used. The extra ten feet are for
the use of the city's electric light wires.
With Aldermsn's ODOunelrs amend
mcut. the report Of the committee was
adopted.
After the presentation Ofthe recently
published veto of the mayor, the cOun-
Gil adjourned.