The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1893-06-07
THE REPORC-wHAT WE CAN DO
NOW.

That which the RECoRD-UNIoN has
been striving for number of years has
at last been accomplished-th chemical
deposition system of sewage disposal has
got before the official municipal board in
regular way, and the city cannot any
longer plead ignorance of the system.
Three years ago the RECORD UNION
deliberately explained the system and
shortly after presented a complete ex-
position of the method of disposal en-
ployed at Worcester, Mass, and in other
cities. The effort to have the board ap-
point, as it should have done long ago, a
Citizens Committee to give three months
time to obtaining information concern
ing that and other systems applicable to
cities situated as is this, did not succeed.
But the board availed of the Willingness
of Mr.. Weinstock to visit Worcester and
report upon the chemical system. That
report has been filed and we printed it in
full yesterday. In every detail it con-
firms every claim this paper has made in
the matter.
The report reads like a transcript of
the expository article published over two
years ago in these columns on the sub
ject, as the result of inquiries made at
Worcester by the RECORD UNION. Ex-
cept that the Commissioners report
covers two years. more of experience
with the system at Worcester, it travels
over the same grounds and reaches the
same conclusions set out in these col
umns long ago, and it cites in support
the same authorities. 1t could not well
be otherwise, for the Commissioner
found the same state of facts to exist, the
same figures, the same methods in vogue
as were set out by the RECORD UNION.
The report of the Commissioner is COM
pact, intelligent, and proves that its au-
thor saw clearly, and that his observation
convinced him that the chemical system
is best adapted to the needs of this city.
Still another commission composed of
several citizens is now at work examin-
ing into the whole question of sewage dis
posal, sewer construction, etc. The spe-
cial report of Mr.. Weinstock will be of
great service to that body. What we
want is the speediest possible action.
Let Sacramento resolve upon new
sewage disposal system, adopt clear
water supply, and require garbage to be
cremated, and she will stand head and
shoulders above any other city in the
State in the essentials of comfort, desira-
bility and sanitary precaution- except
none.
These things are possible for Sacra-
mento-garbage disposal at once and
without dollars increase of the tax rate:
new water supply without expenditure
of a single cent of public funds or the in
crease of water rates; sewage disposal at
cost by no means heavy and with the
present sewer system, if we will confine
surface drainage to cutters or side and
sub-gutter pipes which is not task that
need make us hesitate. Indeed we can
put in for $4,000 the necessary disposal
tanks at once, the people will vote the
money almost unanimously. The land
for the tanks can be condemned to the
public use-a half block of low land on
the southwest side-and ought not to cost
over 5000.
We can, then, within the next six
months, if we will it, begin TO abandon
cesspools and relate all sewage to the
sewers, and gradually adapt the sewers
six good main lines are already service
able for the purpose-to the new system.
In four years time we could be free of
all cesspools and would have as complete
a system of sewage disposal as any valley
city could wish for.
These things are possible, we say, do
not involve cost we are not able to bear
and can be undertaken the present sea-
son. The only question is-shall we do
something now or procrastinate as of old?
THERE is gravel and gravel; there is