The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1894-08-13
@, WHAT A DROP
Councils "LOOSe and SlipShOd Man
ner Of TranSacting Business"
The Former Champion of the Public
Water Works Takes Water i'm a
Most Humble style and JUST.
fieS the Herald'S Course.

From The sunday News the onc.tImo mouth |
piece of the public water works pruluct-M
10. Doyle, secretary of the joint water COM |
mittee editor
The slow progress being made 10y the
Borough Council toward securing for the
people their own water supply has lately
become the subject of geaeral comment,
and the remarks made are not Gin the
least complimentary to those in charge of
the work. The people were led TO believe
that the new works would be completed
and in operation by October, but from
both appearances and information at
hand there is no telling at what time the
desired result will be attained There is
even possibility, if we judge by the
lethargy Of the stewards of the people,
that we may never have our own water,
but that the plant will pass into the
hands of a syndicate and the town will
be just where it},was when the move-
ment began.
OF course such a state of affairs is a sad
commentary upon the judgment and push
of our Borough Council, in whose sole
care the expenditure of thousands of dol
lars has been placed and it need not be
wondered at if the people are not only
losing faith in that body, but are actually
disgusted with its actions in the premises.
Two years ago, when the question of
introducing water took shape, the most
careful estimates placed the figures re-
quired for the work at $4,000. The
citizens of the borough, with these fig
ures as basis, overwhelmingly decided
that the work should be proceeded with.
They are now, when the plant is two
thirds completed, confronted with the
astounding fact that it will require S129,.
600 in round figures before water can be
brought to their doors, or $4,000 more
than the original estimate. Where this
money is to come from nobody, not even
the most intelligent Borough Father, can
tell. Certainly, in the face of the actions
of laggardly Council and their loose and
slipshod manner of transacting business
no sane citizen would vote for an increase
of indebtedness were an election held fol
that purpose.
This is the dilemma the Borough
Fathers find themselves in at present, tC
which might be added a bursted reser
voir and dispute with the contracto
over the conditions entered into for tn,
performance of the work. These condi
tions were so carelessly drawn up anC
entered into that the members of Coun
ell, like the man who was between tn
devil and the deep blue sea- can 90 neithe
forward or backward and must conten
themselves with their own consolation
even if they have to trade handkerchief
to do so.
Iti no wonder, such being the case
that our people desire to wash their hand
out of the matter, and that they lool
with contempt, if not with suspicion
upon their representatives. An abiding
faith reposed in them has been shattered
feeling of insecurity has taken hold @
the people and an idea that the works ar
as far as they will ever get under boroug
control generally prevails.
The circumstances warrant these cor
clusions, and they will gain in volum
and persistency as time advances.
How about water
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