The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1894-06-01
THE WATER QUESTION.
Indignant Housekeeper' Again Puts
Mr. Parker In a Corner.
Editor Astorian-

mission, in his last letter, says very
plainly that he has been "nisstated,
and accuses Indignant Housekeeper'
Of pettyfogging. Herewith we present
his own communications of two differ.
ent dates:
May 26th-
Moreover, the writer, who perhaps
needn't say it, defies said complainant
to name more live. less mossback, prop
erly courteous persons in our city fol
commissioners"
May Goth
again, 1 did not use the two adjec-
tives she attributes to me in describing
the commissioners, more live and less
mossback.' said more lively and less
mosshack-ed,' which is probably quite
as good grammar"
| Mr. Parker, If you will kindly read the
above you will see that you were not
misquoted. We are not gifted as a mind
reader, therefore can only judge Of your
intentions and thoughts by what you
put in print. In his endeavors very
lame ones they are, too, to explain why
the board has allowed three, or nearly
that, to elapse, since they began their
efforts, as a board to secure the rights
of-way for water pipes, and there are
still so many unsecured, he says:
One and the first reason is.
May 29th-
"First, we do not badly need them,
and except for some twenty or thirty
families in elevated positions above the
lower streets in Astoria"
May 31st-
81 have never said the supply is ample
for all but twenty or thirty families.
I KNOW the supply is NOT AMPLE
FOR ANYBODY when it is shut off a
part Of each night, and I never said
otherwise. -
Certainly he never said THAT before.
He also says he has all the time ad-
mitted a considerable deficiency, espe-
cially in the elevated portions of the
city, comprising from 1-2O to 1-1O of the
families Of the city, Pray, to whom
has he admitted that much? Surely not
before, through the columns of The AS
torian. The last admission is at least
little fairer proportion, than the first,
of 100 or 30 families"-but what of the
factories on the water front? Who are
obliged to use the brackish river water,
to the serious detriment of pipes and
boilers, because neither for love or
money, can they get the city water-or
the many, very many houses that can
not comply with the law, which re-
quires them TO connect with the city
sewers, because there is not enough
water supply to make 1t possible-but
now, in this last letter, the commission,
through their spokesman, finally admit
the need, absolute need, of new water
works, this much accomplished, If they
are faithful to the trust connded to
them, they will at once take active
measures to provide them for the city.
Mr.. Parker presumes their attorney
will do his best to get an early decree
for the city" Has the attorney been
instructed to stop at nothing honorable,
but to push this matter, as he would a
matter of life and death? If the decree
is granted, are the plans all perfected
and ready for work to begin immedi-
ately? Are arrangements made for dis
posing of an amount OF bonds sufficient
for the building and equipping Of the
enterprise? In conclusion, let Inc say,
write what you mean, Mr. Parker; II
confuses readers a little and distracts
attention from the point at issue, for
you each time to explain and apologize,
for your grammar English, suppose
you mean and construction Of SEN
tences. 'lapsis digitalis," etc, etc.
these are personal matters of minor i'm
portance when the great question OF
water supply is before the house,. e..
the public Of Astoria. DO the citizens OF
Astoria, in this modern, practical age
of engineering skill, believe that 1t Is
beyond mortal ability" to give Astoria
a system Of satisfactory water works
trow not-ir So how about New York
Chicago. Philadelphia, San Francisco
and innumerable other cities. no larger
than our own? And still the gentleman
answers his own question, "What is the
trouble?" by this expression, Some
thing beyond mortal understanding
probably" Again say, most emphatic
ally, Bosh! ask here very pertinent
question, are we housekeepers the only
parties interested in this question? II
not, / am sure that the columns Of The
Astorian, which have been Sc courteous
ly open to US. would be open also TO any
other persons, who wished to express
their opinions on this subject. /. for one
would be glad to hear from some Of the
business men on this subject, 50 freight
ed with I'll to all Of US. AS am still I'M
satisfied, I sign myself as ever.
INDIGNANT HoUsEKEEPER.